ॐ
Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Chamba
Vishnu (Lakshmi Narayan) · Chamba · Himachal Pradesh
॥ ॐ नमो लक्ष्मीनारायणाय ॥
The Lakshmi Narayan temple is the chief shrine complex of the old hill town of Chamba — a group of six stone shikhara temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, begun in the tenth century under Raja Sahil Varman and added to by later rulers of the Chamba house.
A group of six temples
The complex gathers six temples within a single walled court in the centre of Chamba town. The largest and oldest is dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan, Vishnu with the goddess Lakshmi, and the others are given to forms of Vishnu and Shiva. Together they form one of the most important groups of early stone temples in the western Himalaya.
Building began in the tenth century in the reign of Raja Sahil Varman, founder of Chamba town, and successive kings of the dynasty raised further shrines and made additions over the centuries that followed.
Nagara stone under wooden roofs
The temples are built in the Nagara style of north India, each rising to a curved shikhara tower over the sanctum. Set into a region of heavy mountain snow, they are crowned with overhanging wooden chhatri roofs and shells — a practical adaptation that gives the group its distinctive hill-temple silhouette.
The shrines are carved in grey stone, with image niches and ornamented doorways, and metal figures and a Garuda pillar stand within the court before the principal temple.
In the old town of Chamba
The complex sits at the core of Chamba, the former capital of a long-lived hill state on the Ravi river. It should not be confused with the Champavati temple elsewhere in the town; the Lakshmi Narayan group is the grandest and most visited of Chamba’s many shrines.
A visit usually takes in the town’s other temples and the open Chowgan ground nearby, set against the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges that enclose the valley.
How to reach Lakshmi Narayan Temple
- By road: Chamba is connected by mountain road to Dalhousie (around 50 km) and Pathankot (around 120 km); the temple complex is in the centre of the town, within walking distance of the bus stand.
- By train: the nearest broad-gauge railhead is Pathankot, roughly 120 km away, with buses and taxis onward over the hills to Chamba.
- By air: the nearest airports are Kangra (Gaggal) and Pathankot, with road transfer onward to Chamba; Gaggal is the more frequently used.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lakshmi Narayan temple at Chamba?
It is the principal temple complex of Chamba town in Himachal Pradesh — a group of six stone shikhara temples dedicated to Vishnu (as Lakshmi Narayan) and Shiva.
When was the temple built?
Construction began in the tenth century under Raja Sahil Varman, the founder of Chamba town, and later rulers of the dynasty added further shrines over the centuries.
What architectural style is the temple?
The temples are built in the Nagara style with curved shikhara towers, and are roofed with overhanging wooden chhatris suited to the heavy snow of the mountains.
How many temples are in the complex?
The complex contains six temples within a single walled court, dedicated to forms of Vishnu and Shiva, with the Lakshmi Narayan shrine the largest and oldest.
Is this the same as the Champavati temple?
No. The Champavati temple is a separate shrine in Chamba. The Lakshmi Narayan complex is the grander and most visited temple group of the town.
Where is the temple located?
The complex is in the centre of Chamba town, the former hill capital on the Ravi river in Himachal Pradesh.
॥ जय लक्ष्मीनारायण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deities | Vishnu and Shiva |
| Temples | Six in one court |
| Founder | Raja Sahil Varman |
| Founded | 10th century |
| Style | Nagara, wooden chhatri roofs |
| Town | Chamba |