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Champavati Temple, Chamba
Champavati Devi · Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
॥ ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ॥
The Champavati Temple at Chamba in Himachal Pradesh is a stone shrine raised in the 10th century by Raja Sahil Varman in memory of his daughter Champavati, after whom the town of Chamba itself is named. Built in the northern shikhara style and worked with fine carving, it is one of the oldest and most graceful temples of the old hill kingdom.
A temple for a beloved daughter
Tradition tells that Sahil Varman, the founder of Chamba, raised this temple at the urging — and in the memory — of his daughter Champavati, a princess of great devotion. The town took her name, and the goddess enshrined here is honoured as Champavati Devi, a form of the Mother, guardian of the royal house and the valley.
Stone shikhara of the hills
The temple is built in the Nagara shikhara style, its tower rising in carved tiers over a square sanctum, the stone worked with the deities and ornament of the early medieval Himalaya. It stands among the old temples of Chamba, a town famous for its cluster of stone and wooden shrines from the days of the Varman kings.
Navaratri in the valley
Navaratri is the temple’s great festival, when the goddess is worshipped through nine nights and the old town fills with devotees. Set in the green Ravi valley among the western Himalaya, Champavati remains a living shrine and a monument of Chamba’s long history.
How to reach Chamba
- By road: Chamba is in the western Himalaya of Himachal Pradesh, about 120 km from Pathankot and connected via Dalhousie.
- By train: Pathankot is the nearest broad-gauge railhead.
- By air: Kangra (Gaggal) airport near Dharamshala is the nearest, after which the journey continues by road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the Champavati Temple?
It was built in the 10th century by Raja Sahil Varman, the founder of Chamba, in memory of his daughter Champavati, after whom the town is named.
Who is Champavati Devi?
Champavati Devi is the goddess enshrined here, a form of the Mother honoured as guardian of the royal house and the valley, named for the princess Champavati.
What architectural style is the temple?
It is built in the Nagara shikhara style, with a carved tower rising over a square sanctum, in the early medieval stonework of the western Himalaya.
When is the main festival?
Navaratri is the great festival, with nine nights of worship of the goddess in the old town of Chamba.
How do I reach Chamba?
Chamba is about 120 km from Pathankot via Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh. Pathankot is the nearest railhead and Kangra (Gaggal) the nearest airport.
Is Chamba known for other temples?
Yes — Chamba is famous for its cluster of old stone and wooden temples from the days of the Varman kings, of which Champavati is among the finest.
॥ जय माता दी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Champavati Devi (a form of the Mother) |
| Built | 10th c, by Raja Sahil Varman |
| Linked to | His daughter Champavati; the town’s namesake |
| Architecture | Nagara shikhara, carved stone |
| River | Ravi |
| Main Festival | Navaratri |