| Chamba Valley |
| Population 460,500 Altitude 610 - 6400 m Area 6528 square km Languages Hindi, Himachali and Pahari (local language) |
| Also known as Ravi valley, this hill region is a repository of ancient Hindu culture, art, temples, and handicrafts preserved under the longest running single dynasty since the mid-6th century. The scenery is beautiful and varied in character, presenting many delightful sights. In the lower parts, the trees grown are wild olive, pomegranate and fig, mingling with the acacia, Shisham and Pipal. There are rich fields in the lower level, with maize, wheat, barley and other cereals high up. Northern mountain slopes are covered with forests, while Southern are often quite bare. Visitors get a good picture of small villages and hamlets extending over the landscape. On the mountain slopes, the fields are usually small in size and are arranged in terraces, the lower border of each being formed by a rough wall to make the ground more level for ploughing. In most part of the Chamba valley, under 2,550 meters, only two crops are reaped per year. The Chamba valley is famous for medical herbs and varieties of flowers. This valley is fairly populated. The important towns located in this valley are Chamba, Bharmaur, Dalhausie and Khajjiar. Rivers Ravi and Chandrabhaga (Chenab) take origin and nourishment from its glaciers. There are several hydroelectric projects and dams being developed. There are several national forest and wildlife sanctuaries including Kalatop-Khaijjar located within its confines. Pilgrimage to Mani Mahesh Temple and Lake is an annual trekking event. Adjoining the Chamba valley is the Pangi valley, extending along the Chenab river as it cuts through the Pir Panjal range and off-shoots of the main Himalayan ranges. This is one of the remotest and most beautiful tracts of the Western Himalayas. Banks and Internet There is a bank in Dalhousie that changes travelers cheques. The State Bank of India in Chamba has an international ATM. Internet is available in both Dalhousie and Chamba. |
| Major towns and villages in the Chamba Valley Dalhousie Established in 1854 by the British Empire in India as a summer retreat for its troops and bureaucrats, the town was named after Lord Dalhousie who was the British Viceroy in India at that time. Dalhousie is built on and around five hills, located on the western edge of the Dhauladhar mountain range of the Himalayas. It is 2036 m above sea level. Chamba The town is located over a mountain spur overlooking the Ravi River, locally known as Irawati. The town was founded in 920 A.D. by Raja Sahil Verman and named after his daughter, Champavati. In the center of the town lies the grassy public promenade, referred to as Chaugan. In and around the town are numerous ancient temples built in the local hill-style architecture. Bharmour Bharmour is home to Gaddi and Gujjar tribes and has 84 ancient temples from 7th-10th century AD. |