Chamba is an ancient town in the Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, in northern India. According to the 2001 Indian census, Chamba has a population of 20,312 people. Located at an altitude of 996 metres (3,268 ft) above mean sea level, the town is situated on the banks of the Ravi River (a major tributary of the Trans-Himalayan Indus River), at its confluence with the Sal River.

 India. Chamba is the only state in northern India to preserve a well-documented history from circa 500 A.D. Its high mountain ranges have given it a sheltered position and helped in preserving its centuries old relics and numerous inscriptions. The temples erected by rajas of Chamba more than a thousand years age continue to be under worship and the land grant-deeds executed on copper plates by them continue to be valid under the law.

 

Economy

 

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Chamba one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the two districts in Himachal Pradesh currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF)

 

 

Demographics

 

According to the 2011 census Chamba district has a population of 518,844, roughly equal to the nation of Cape Verde. This gives it a ranking of 544th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 80 inhabitants per square kilometre (210 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 12.58%. Chamba has a sex ratio of 989 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 73.19%.Gaddis mostly live in chamba district .

 

Languages

 

Languages include Bhattiyali, a Dogri-Kangri, a Gaddi-BharmouriLanguage, a Chambiali Language - Chamba, and different for Pangi, Churah, Teesha teh/town of Chamba people's tongue spoken by at least 100 000/maximum people in Chamba district.

 

Gaddi Language- Bharmour-It is the language which is spoken by all the people which lies in Bharmour tehshil of Chamba distt and also spoken by those people which are gaddi(gaddi are those who have their own sheep, goat for survival and they go from place to place for their grazing and these people are mainly situated/lived in Bharmour tehshil of distt chamba but some are scattered all over the state mainly in distt Kangra of himachal Pradesh)

Chambiali Language_Chamba-As name shows that chambiali language is spoken mainly by the people who lived in chamba town and nearby areas of Chamba Different Languages-there are some other languages like Pangwalli, Churahi,etc which are generally spoken by the people lived in the pangi and teesha , Churah areas of DIstt Chamba !

 

 

Interesting places

 

 

 

Laxmi Narayan Temple : It is the most famous tourist attraction place in Chamba. There are six temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.Three temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and another three to Lord Shiva.

 

Brajeshwari Devi Temple : This is the temple dedicated to goddess Durga and is famous for the fine carved sculptures. The style which makes the temple different from others is the shikara style and in top there is a wooden amalaka.

 

Chamunda Devi Temple : This is one of the famous temples in this quieenee valley,The Chamunda Devi temple is dedicated to goddess Chamunda,the wrathful form of Durga.One can find the fine wood carved ceiling featuring animal and floral motifs . This temple is located in the hilltop and gives a clear view of the Chamba valley .The devoties offer little brass bells to get their wish fulfilled.footprints of the Goddess is one more thing one can see.

 

Sui Mata Temple : The sui mata temple is in between the Chamunda Devi temple and Brajeswari temple. This temple is dedicated to Sui Mata, the local princess of Chamba who sacrifice her life for the people of her kingdom.Colourful paintings on the temple wall depicts the story of SuiMata.

 

Gandhi Gate : The Viceroy of British Government Lord Curzon had got a warm welcome by a bright orange gateway built in 1900 . It is the main gatway of Chamba.

 

Bhuri Singh Museum : The museum houses a vast number of original Pahari art and sculptures. Some notable collections include Basohli and Kangra paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as, a collection of Rumals from the 7th century onward.

 

Salooni : 56 km from Chamba is place of great natural beauty.

 

 

 

Geography and climate

 

Chamba is the headquarters of the Chamba district, bordered by Jammu and Kashmir to the north-west and west, the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir and Lahaul and Bara Banghal to the north-east and east, Kangra to the south-east and Gurdaspur district of Punjab to the south. It has an average elevation of 1,006 metres (3,301 ft).

 

 

The Ravi River flowing through Chamba

The town, the district and the valley where the town is located, share the name of Chamba. The town of Chamba is located at the junction of Ravi River and its tributary, the Sal River, with the Shah Madar hill forming the backdrop on its eastern side. The Ravi flows in east-west direction forming deep canyons. During the spring and summer months, the levels of the river rise significantly from snow melt and pose a flooding risk.Record levels were experienced in early July 2005, when the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation was forced to shut down the power generation on its 300-MW Chamera Power Station.

Located on the right bank of the Ravi river valley, built on successive flat terraces, the town is bounded topographically by the Dhauladhar and Zanskar ranges, south of the inner Himalayas. Chamba, despite its hill location, is well connected by road to the rest of the state and country, including Shimla, Delhi and Chandigarh along several routes. The nearest broad gauge railway stations are at Chakki Bank and Pathankot, the latter of which is 120 kilometres (75 mi) away by road.

The temperatures in summer vary between 38 °C (100 °F) and 15 °C (59 °F) and in winter: 15 °C (59 °F) and 0 °C (32 °F). The maximum temperature recorded in summer is 39 °C (102 °F) and the minimum temperature in winter is -1 °C (30 °F). Climatically March to June is said to be the best period to visit Chamba, which is a well known hill station. The average annual rainfall in the town is 785.84 millimetres (30.939 in).