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Chamba - Dalhousie (Sight
Seeing) |
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Other
Sight Seeing |
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KHAJIAR:
23 kms from Dalhousie by road and 13 kms from Kalatop is the mini
Switzerland of India at a height of 6400 ft. Hutchison writes, "Khajjiar
is a forest glade of great beauty, 6400 feet above sea level".
Khajjiar is often reffered to as "Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh".
The lush green meadows are surrounded by thick pine and cedar
forests. Grazing herds of sheep, goats and other milch cattle
present a prefect pastoral scenery. There is a small lake in the
center of the saucer shaped meadow which has in it a floating
island. Much of the lake has degenerated into slush because of
heavy silting during rains. Still the landscape of Khajjiar is
picturesque and a photographer's delight.
A
little away from the lake is the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to
12th C. AD. In the mandapa of the temple one can see the images of
the Pandavas and the defeated Kaurvas hanging from the roof of the
circumambulatory path. The sanctum of the temple has been
beautifully carved from wood.
There is a Tourism Hotel and some Tourism cottages at Khajjiar
where the tourists can stay . Besides there are two rest houses
one each of P.W.D. and Forest Deptt. A couple of private hotels
have also come up, which do not match the above places in terms of
location and amenities. Bus service to and from Khajjiar is
limited and timings change according to local demands. There used
to be a golf course in Khajjiar which is not maintained. The best
entertainment in Khajjiar is to walk around the lake or to go for
long walks in the thick pine forests. Children enjoy this place
because of the freedom of movement and the slopy terrain which
permits them to roll down to the lake without getting hurt.
Another attraction like any other hill station is horse riding.
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CHAMUNDA DEVI TEMPLE:
This temple is located on hill overlooking the
town to its south east. The temple stands on a
raised platform. The temple has fabulous artistic
carvings on its lintel, pillars and the ceiling.
Behind the main temple is a small shrine of Lord
Shiva in the Shikhara style. There is another
platform in front of this temple where two very
old peepul trees provide shelter to the visitors.
From this platform a bird's eye view of most of
the land marks in the town including Chaugan,
Circuit House, most of the temples and river Ravi
can be had. The temple is being looked after by
Archaeological Survey of India.
This temple can be
approached by road from Chamba (3 kms). It lies on
the right hand side of the Chamba-Jhamwar road.
School going children and pilgrims prefer to take
the flight of steps from Sapri to this temple.
There steps were got constructed by Raja Raj Singh
(1764-1794 AD).
The temple is an
ideal picnic spot throughout the year because it
has an easy approach and a commanding view. |
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PANCHPULA:
Panchpula, a beautiful spot, is barely 3 kms. from G.P.O. On the
way to Panchpula is Satdhara springs gurgling with refreshing
water, believed to contain some medicinal properties. Panchpula
stream is the main source of water supply to Dalhousie and Bahloon.
The stream springs from the north side of DayanKund and runs down
a picturesque ravine to the waterworks of Panchpula. There is an
elegant monument erected at Panchpula where several streams meet
at one point. This monument, a samadhi was built in memory of
great revolutionary Sardar Ajit Singh who breathed his last in
Panchpula. There is a Tourism restaurant and several chai shops in
Panchpula, that offer hot and cold beverages and snacks. |
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KYNANCE:
Kynance is a private residential building of Dharamvirs. This
building was constructed during the year 1933 by Dr. N.R.Dharamvir
of Lahore. This building acquired historical significance due to
the reason that Neta Ji Subhash Chander Bose, a class fellow of
the wife of Dr. Dharamvir, stayed with them for a period of 7
months beginning May, 1937. Before arriving in Dalhousie, Neta Ji
was in British Jail where his health had deteriorated. On the
request of his younger brother the British High Court released
Neta Ji on parole on health grounds. It brought Neta Ji to the
climate of Dalhousie. Kynance is barely 50 kms. from G.P.O. It
lies hidden from the public eye below the road. An insignificant
looking board bearing the name of Kynance hangs from a tree and is
discernible to only those tourists who have an eye for details. |
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SUBHASH BAOLI:
Just approximatly 1 km from G.P.O. is a charming natural spot
called Subhash Baoli. Neta ji Subhash Chander Bose during his 7
months sojourn in Dalhousie in 1937 is believed to have spent most
of his days by the side of this water body, meditating amidst
dense woods of Cedar and meeting his party workers. This place
lies on the G.P.O. - JandriGaht Road. A canopy with seating
facilities has been created by the local administration at this
place. |
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ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH:
St. Andrew's Church commonly known as the Church of Scotland was
built in the year 1903 at Baloon by Protestant Christians. The
Church is approximately one and half kms. from Dalhousie's bus
stand. The Church building is in good condition, recently a brick
boundary wall has been erected around it to save the building from
mischief mongers. |
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ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH:
This Church is situated in Baloon, Dalhousie Cantt., on Military
Hospital road approximately 2 kms. from main bus stand. St.
Patrick's Church is the largest church in Dalhousie having a
seating capacity of 300 persons in its main hall. The Church was
built in the year 1909 and the dressed-stone building is still in
good condition. This Church was built exclusively from
contribution made by officers and ranks of the British Army. At
present the Church is managed and maintained by the Catholic
Diocese of Jalandhar. |
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ST. FRANCIS' CHURCH:
This Catholic Church is a very prominent monument on the Subhash
Chowk. This Church was built in the year 1894 from the
contributions made by Army and Civil Officers and Civilians. This
Church is managed and maintained by the Cathoilic Diocese of
Jalandhar. St. Francis' Church on Prtrain hill is believed to have
been built on the lines of a certain church in England. Beautiful
glass work and intricate stone work can be seen in the Church.
Service is conducted every Sunday.
By
the side of the Church is the residence of the Priest. The
building is called Alverna better known to the local people as "Lambe
Chole Wale Padri Ki Kothi".
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ST. JONH'S CHURCH:
This Church stands on the Gandhi Chowk approximately 2 kms. from
the main bus stand of Dalhousie. This Church was the first to be
built after the town of Dalhousie was founded. Prior to 1863 a
wooden structure stood at this place. The idea to build a stone
structure took birth with the arrival of Rev. John H. Pratt who
came to Dalhousie on 11-04-1863 and inspired the Christian
community to build a permanent church building at this place.
Building of this church is a copy of Roman Catholics church of
England but this church belongs to Protestants. The church
building stands in a good condition but its surroundings demand
much better care. Service is conducted on every Sunday. |
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LAXMI NARAYAN
TEMPLE:
Laxmi Narayana Temple, which is the main
temple of Chamba town was built by Sahil
Varman in the 10th century AD. The temple has
been built in the Shikhara style. The temple
consists of Bimana i.e. Shikhara and
GarbhGriha with a small antralya. Laxmi
Narayana Temple has a mandapa like structure
also. The wooden Chhattries, the shell roof,
atop the temple were in response to the local
climatic conditions as a protection against
snowfall.
There are several
other temples within the complex. The temple
of Radha krishna, Shiva Temple of Chandergupta
and Gauri Shankar Temple are among these. The
temple of Laxmi Narayana continued to be
embellished by the Rajas who succeeded to the
throne of Chamba. Raja Balabhadra Verma
perched the metallic image of Garuda on a high
pillar at the main gate of the temple. Raja
Chhatra Singh place gilded pinnacles on the
temple tops in 1678 as a reaction against the
orders of Aurangzeb to demolish the temple.
Later Rajas also added a shrine or two, thus
enriching the complex. |
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SUI MATA TEMPLE:
This temple can be divided into three parts
which can physically spread apart. The temple
of Sui Mata is on an elevation of Shah Madar
Hill. A steep flight of steps comes down to a
small pavilion just above the Saho road. From
the Saho road the flight of steps continues
down to the main town a little to the east of
Chauntra Mohalla. At the end of the flight of
steps there is another small pavilion with
gargoyles with running water. The flight of
stone steps to the aqueduct from the Sarota
stream was built by Sarda, the Rani of Raja
Jeet Singh (1794-1808). According to the
legend when Raja Sahil Varman founded the town
and made this aqueduct for water supply to the
town the water refused to flow. It was
ascribed to supernatural causes. It was
prophasised that the spirit of the stream must
be propitiated, and the Brahmins, on being
consulted replied that the victim must either
be the Rani or her son. Another tradition runs
that the Raja himself had a dream in which he
was directed to offer up his son, where upon
the Rani pleaded to be accepted as a
substitute. Thus on a appointed day the Rani
along with her maidens was buried alive in a
grave. The legend goes on to say that when the
grave was filled in the water began to flow.
In memory of her
devotion a small shrine was erected at that
spot and mela called Sui Mata Ka Mela was also
appointed to be held annually from 15th of
Chait to the first of Baisakh. This fair is
attended by women and children who in their
best attire sing praises of the Rani and offer
homage to the Rani for her singular sacrifice. |
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