HOW TO GET THERE : 

1. Rail : Connected with Pathankot(80 km) which in turns, is connected with Jammu, Delhi, Culcutta & Mumbai.   

2. Road : Shimla, Delhi, Manali Dharamshala and Jammu.   

3. Air : Gaggal airport 10 km, from Kangra town on Pathankot-Manali highway, Vayudoot operates from Delhi, Shimla and Chandigarh.   

Lakshminarayan Temple 

: The Lakshminarayan temple complex is very important from the archaeological point of view. This temple was constructed during the 10th century at the time of kiong Sahil Verma. In this complex, there are five other main temples namely Radha Krishna, Chandra Sekhara Mahadev, Gaurishankara, Tryambakeshwara and Laxmi Damodara. They are artistically decorated and all ahave been built in the Nagar style. There are also some other small temples in the complex, there is a galaxy of temples in Chamba which are dedicated to HariRai, Champavati, Bansigopal, Ram Chandra, Bajreshwari, Chamunda, Narisingh and Yogi Charpat Nath etc.   

Chaurasi Temples of Bharmaur :(65km) 
 

The main temples of Lakshmi Devi, Ganesh, Manimahesh and Narsing in Bharmaur are known as the Chaurasi temples. According to a legend, Chaurasi yogis visited Bharmaur during the reign of king Sahil Verma. Pleased with the King's humility and hospitality, the yogis blessed the king with  
ten sons and a daughter Champawati. The temples dating back to the 9th century, are one of the most important early Hindu temples in the Chamba valley. The distance of   65 km    from Chamba    to Bharmaur is covered by hired vehicles Buses ply only during yatra days in September.  
    
THE EARLY WOODEN TEMPLES BHARMOUR    
                                                                        S M Sethi 
The successive waves of Mohammdan invasions in the past which had rich have of ancient monuments on the plains were swept off the snow clad mountain larries of Chamba one of the oldest native states of Indian cosquentlyChamba proved luckier than most of its sister states of the east while Punjabis not abandoningeven a fraction of its rich culture of wealth to foreign power. the temples erected by the rajasof Chamba more than thousand years ago continue to remain under worship in the present times and the temple land grants exeanted by them on the copper plates enjoy validity under law even today of special mention are the early wooden temples of Bharmour ( Chamba) . Constructed of heavy and fragrant deodar wood; though easily perishable by nature ; the temples have with stood the vagaries of time and how represent the sole and earliest extant specimen of stone earning techniques as applied to 7th century A.D.   
                   The wooden temples are located in the heart of the village compound known as Chaurasi. At this place Raja Sahilla Verman the founder of Chamba had spent the evening of his life in the company of saint Charpat Nath and other eighty four Siddhas. These eighty four siddhas performedaustrties and under took tapes and were conustedin to Samadhi lingas which can still he pointed out in the small green and in which also stand almost all the temples of Bharmour and which for this reason is known as CHAURASI.           
                         Right at the centre chaurasi like a jewel in the crown stands the monumental temple of `Mani Mahesh' in whose sanctum `garbha grihya' a huge monolithic ` Shiva Linga' is enshrined. Though the temple is beleived to have been commissioned by Raja Sahilla Verman in the 10th cent. A. D. the small enterance door of the shrine indicates the early existance of Linga around which was built later the present as one lithic stone structure. At a little distance away facing the shrine is the brass image of Nandi bull who in confirmity with the ancient texts stand in all tours indicating the solidity and stability of dharma ( Varsbh hi bhagwan dharma) and is intent on gazing at the splendour of his master 9Devavi Kshana tatpara). and is the one with fatty ( pin kapol kaya ) script of 7th century record the name of the patron King Meru Verman and the mats craft man Gugga. The insription goes on to state that the raja erected the people in the likeness of mount Meru OM PRASADAM MERU SADRISHAM and equipped it with various mandopao Rangshallas and Chaitya dormers of special mention in the compound of Chaurasi, is the people of Lakshma Devi which gives the appearance of a simple wooden hut from a distance it is the sole temple in Bharmour which reveals several features of ancient wooden shrines in its exiquistely carved massive entrance door way and rich ornamentation of the interior in wood. While the mesons all over India had already resorted to dressed store as building material in this remote and secluded valley the craftsmen still dreamt their dreams in wood producing charming and lasting effect. Once in side the viewer is heed transfixed by the Devi looking sraight at him ( Sam ) with sesene and detached expression (samya) and when the viewers eyes travell down he notices tht the four armed Goddessis standing in warrior like posture (pratya-alidha) with her right foot planted firmly on the head of the killed bufallo demon while with her left hand she catches the bufallo's tail and lift her whole body vrtically . Her standing posture corrosponds exactly to the description of Devi Mahatamya.   
EVAMUKVA SAMPUTPAYA SARUDHA TAMA MAHASURAM PANEN KRAMYA KANTHE CASUHENAITAM AVADAYAT    
  The physiognomy of the Devi confirms to the eanous of ideal beauty as perscribed in the ancient texts her face is broad like a full moon the nose has the high delicately  
Manimahesh lake  
  arched  bridge like a parrotsbill her lips are curved like the `sesamum flowers' her brows are arched like fish or willow leaf.Another brass image of Ganesha is cast by the same pair of the artist and the donor ganesha wears a Gandhara crown and holds his usual attributes. Only his trunk is turned towards the right instead of the usual lefy. The missing leg of the image allude to some past invasion which has taken its foll not only from the rsan but also from the deity.   
                    The visit to Chaurasi will bedeemed incomplete without paying homage to the deity Nrsimha whose modest shrine finds place in one corner of Chaurasi. The temple had sofgered a serious damage in the earth quake of 1905. In this temple of Narsimha the life size brass image shown seated on a high fedestal in European fashion. The awe inspiring diety true to his attributes has rolling eyes, flaming mouth and seems quite ready to pounce upon and tear apart the belly of Hariva Kashyp whose image finds no depiction in metal but is left to the imagination of the viewers.   
  

 
  Chattrari temple :  
Throygh mostly rebuilt, this temple dedicated to Shakti, houses a sanctury and a colonnade that preserve early examples of carved wood work. The sculptures suggest post-Gupta influence from central India. Cedar columns are fashioned with pot and foliage motifs . Enshrined within the sanctuary is a large 8th century brass image of Shakti; the goddess is richly adorned with jewels and a crown. There are also attendant figurines and a brass image of Shiva.   

 
This sacred lake (as shown on the cover page) is situated at the base of Mani Mahesh Kailash Peak(5656m.) and is one of the highest lakes in Himachal Pradesh . It is a place of great pilgrimage and thousands of devotees pay their homage and take a dip here especially in the month of August-September when a `Chhari Yatra' is held. The Mani Mahesh shikara style temple is one of the most ancient and beautiful shrines in Himachal Pradesh. 

(1) Khajjiar,(2)Chamba,(3) Bharmour and(4)ManiMahesh Holy Lake, Their brirf account is given hereunder as they are connected with trekking routes of this region.   

(1) KHAJJIAR (1951m) :  

It is one of the most scenic saucer shaped plateau and is surrounded by dense pine and deodar forests. Its beauty has further been enhanced by a small lake in the centre with a floating Island and a temple of Khajjiar deity. There is plenty of wild life in the forest and the area has been brought under Wild Life Sanctuary, There is a 9 hole Golf ground here but is no more in regular use. The lake has been taken up for improvement. It is known as the Gulmarge of Himachal Pradesh. Tourism accommodation is available for stay.   

(III) BHARMOUR(2195m.)  

 It remains the Capital of erstwhile Chamba state during 7th Century and still retains the ruins of old castles & 84 Shivlingam /temples. Situated 64 km away from Chamba, is known as the homeland of Gaddi( Shephards) Tribe, who are semi-nomadic and spend the summer on the Himalayan pastures, grazing their sheep and goats. This place can also be used as base camp for short trekking routes. A sub division of Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute is also working here, which organises trekking/Mountaineering programmes and provides necessary assistance and guidance to the trekkers and mountaineers.    KALATOP KHAJJIAR SANCTUARY: 

This sanctuary area with its well laid out trekking jungle trails both at Kalatop  
and Khajjiar is a tourist paradise. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are places  
of solitude very close to Dalhousie town. Visitors should look for pheasants  
and Serow in these forests but should be beware of Black bear which can be  
encountered often in the area.    
                                                                 Trekking