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SHIMLA
KULLU
KANGRA
CHAMBA
DHARAMSHALA
PALAMPUR
MANDI
Sujanpur
Tira
Kinnaur]
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Temples of Chamba |
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The
chief temple of
Chamba, that of Lakshmi-Narayan, with its image of
white marble, was founded at that time; but it is impossible to
decide how far the present building represents the original shrine.
We know at least of one restoration by Raja Partap Singh. Two
copper-plate inscriptions issued by this ruler, in A.D. 1582,
mention that the temple was consecrated, whence we may infer that
the restoration amounted to a complete renovation of the building.
One plate mentions also the Chandragupta Temple which belongs to the
same group. It is a linga shrine, likewise ascribed to Sahilla, the
founder of
Chamba. Between these two temples there is a modern
temple dedicated to Radha Krishna by Sadha , the Rani of Raja Jit
Singh. According to an inscription in the vernacular it was
consecrated in the Vikrama year 1882, i.e., A.D. 1825. The three
remaining temples of this group are that of Gauri-Shankar containing
well-modeled brass image of Shiva and his spouse, the Trimukh linga
temple and that of Lakshmi Damodar. Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Consequently three out of these six temples are dedicated to Vishnu
and three to Shiva. There are two more Vishu temples of the shikhara
type in Chamb town. |
Earliest in date is that of Hari Rai,
profusely decorated with carvings, but unfortunately crammed between
the clumsy Chaugan Gate and an unsightly goods-shed. Its Foundation
by Salakara-varman is mentioned in a copper-plate inscription of the
Ilth century.
The other temple, that of Bensi Gopal, in the vicinity 0f the
Palace, is of a much later date. In a copper-plate of Raja Bala-
Bhadra, 0f A. D. 1595, mention is made of the consecration of a
temple 0f Gopal, which presumably is ture ? Which presumably is the
one in question, as no other temple of this name is known to exist
in the town.
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Harirai Temple |
Gauri Shankar
Temple |
Finally, we must note two shikhara
temples dedicated to Devi. That 0f Vajreshvari or" Bhagavati outside
the town is remarkable for its fine sculptures. The short
inscriptions under the niches seem merely to contain the names of
the artisans employed in the construction 0f the building, but give
no certain clue to its date. The temple of Champavati on the north
side of the Chaugan contains a stone image of Durga slaying the
Buffalo-demon. In the court-yard 0f this temple we note a
dilapidated shrine of small size which shelters the images of Vasuki
Naga (or Baski Nag) and his wazir. Originally the Naga king had a
more spacious residence, which was destroyed by fire in the year
1898. Since then he had found a refuge with the Devi. |
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