| Temples & Legends of Himachal Pradesh |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
CHAMBA |
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shrine was crected and the image set up with its face looking inwards; and a clump of
cedar trees at once grew up around the shrine. A buffalo used to be sacrificed before
every third, fifth or seventh year in the month of Kartik at this temple of the Nag. This
has now been given up.Chamba is rich in archaeology, ancient temples, inscriptions and
copper-plate title deeds. Dr. Vogel of the Archaeological Survey of India and Sir
Alexander Cunningham had researched into the ancient remains. The rich materials show that
the line of rulers and the people were quite advanced. The oldest of the copper-plate title deed was issued by Yugakara Varman, son and successor of Raja Sahila-Varman, the founder of the capital of Chamba (A.D. 920). Maru - Varman appears to be the first historic ancestor according to the Vansavali. Earlier to Maru the Vansavali traces the forbears from Lord Vishnu and Rama, the hero of the Ramayana and mentions 63 persons in the order of descent. We may omit the earlier references and we stand on more solid grounds from Maru. Maru was an ascetic. Later he married and three sons were born to him and he bestowed a kingdom on each of them. A later king Meru Varman (A.D. 680) was a great builder and a number of important temples of Chamba are ascribed to him. They are Mani-Mahesha, Lakshmi Devi, Ganesa and Narsingh. There are inscriptions regarding the dedication of the idols excepting Narsingh and also of the Bull in front of Mani-Mahesha. There are other temples probably older to Lakshana Devi at Brahmaur. The image of Shakti Devi at Chhatrari, from its inscription dates from Meru-Varman.
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