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Fast Facts How to get there The nearest aiport is at Jammu or Amritsar, both approximately 230 km away. Indian Airlines flies thrice a week -- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays -- to Amritsar from New Delhi. The one way economy class fare is Rs 2,825. Indian Airlines flies daily to Jammu from New Delhi. The one way economy class fare is Rs 3,105. Jet Airways flies daily to Jammu from New Delhi. The one way economy class fare is Rs 3,105. Pathankot (120 kms) is the nearest railhead. All major trains between Delhi and Jammu stop here -- Jammu Tawi Express, Jhelum Express, Jammu Mail. It is approximately a 10-11 hour ride. The fare by second AC coach is Rs 800. From Pathankot (120 kms) you can either take a Himachal State Transport bus (Rs 100) to Chamba or hire a jeep (Rs 800 - Rs 1,000). By bus the journey takes four or five hours and by jeep it would take three to four hours. Where to stay Hotel Iravati, near the bus stand, tel # 018992-22671. Rooms range from Rs 500 to Rs 800. Hotel Champak, behind the post office, tel # 018992-22774. Rooms range from Rs 200 upwards. Pink Palace, tel # 018992-22340 or in New Delhi 011-6188458. Opening shortly rooms will range from approximately Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500. When to go Barring the winter months from December to March, Chamba is pleasant all year round. . During the monsoon, however, one can get cut off beacause of the landslides. The Minjar Fair is held in late July or early August and is a colourful time to visit Chamba. The fair has been held for centuries. Minjar means a beautifully knit piece of thread, which is thrown in the river for good luck. In days gone past a live buffalo was thrown into the river as a sacrifice. If it drowned or emerged on the other side the sins of Chamba had left with it. Fortunately the ghastly sacrifice does not take place any more and Minjar Fair has come to symbolise the sowing of paddy. The Sui Mata Mela is another lively time to visit Chamba. It occurs in spring at Baisakhi (March or April) and commences with a puja by all the womenfolk of Chamba. Usually a member of the royal family performs the first puja. Places to visit around Chamba The hill station of Dalhousie (58kms) The scenic town of Khajjiar (35 kms) The old capital of Chamba, Bhramaur, a place of 80 temples (80 kms) From Chamba it is possible to do interesting treks like Chamba-Khajjiar-Lakkar-Mandi-Dalhousie. Or from Chamba to Manimahesh lake, a sacred high altitude lake. What to see in Chamba Bhuri Singh Museum. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Himachal Handicraft Emporium at Rang Mahal. The Chaugaan. Laxmi Narayan Temple complex. To get a bird's eye view of the river and bridge and Chamba clinging dramatically to the mountainside head upto the road going out to Khajjiar. Or at sunset head for the hill temple of the goddess, Chamunda or to the Sui Mata Temple. Tourist Office For details on treks contact the tourist office in Chamba at 018992-22671. Or contact Mani Mahesh Travel Agency at Dogra Bazaar. Miscellaneous Chamba is also known for its chukh, a chilly sauce consisting of red peppers, lemon juice, mustard oil, and salt. Two or three types are available in Dogra Bazaar and all are quite pungent and spicy. Back                                               Tell us what you think of this feature

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