Bharmour, a stunning town encircled by the tall Pir Panjal mountain range, is situated 61 kilometres from Chamba and 102 kilometres from Dalhousie, another well-known tourist destination of paramount significance in Himachal Pradesh. Because it is believed that Lord Shiva lives on the nearby peak of Kailash, Bharmour is frequently referred to as the land of Shiva. Bharmour, also known as Brahmpur in the sixth century, served as the capital of the Chamba state for about 400 years, until Raja Sahil Varman established a new capital at Chamba in AD 920.
Area: Bharmour, Chamba Himachal Pradesh
Altitude: 7000 feet
Climate: In winter, the temperature gets quite low and in summer temperature is mild
Rainfall: 1264.4mm
Primary rainy season: June to September
Temperatures: Summer: 15 °C – 20 °C ; Winter: comes down to 0 °C or even lower
Languages: Hindi, Gaddi
Address: Bharmour is 61 km from town Chamba and 102 km from Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh, India
History of Bharmour
The first person to settle in Bharmour was Meru, the father of the first prince, Jaistambh, in the Chamba Vanshavali. He came from the Ayodhyan royal dynasty. Meru crossed the outer hills and entered the upper Ravi valley with the assistance of his youngest son, Jaistambh.He overthrew the small-minded Ranas in control of the region, created the town of Brahmpura, and made it the centre of a new state there. It is thought that this incident occurred in the middle of the sixth century A.D.
One tradition claims that the name Brahampura was formerly used to refer to the older kingdom of Bharmour, which was located in the present-day regions of Garhwal and Kumaon, and that Maru gave the same name to the state he established with the capital city of present-day Bharmour. After Maru, a number of Rajas followed one another in power until Sahil Varman. Sahil Varman was the one who took control of the lower Ravi valley and moved the administrative centre from Brahampura to the new capital he established at Chamba. The capital of Bharmour probably existed for 400 years.
The first state was very small and probably only included a part of what is now the Bharmour sub-division or the Ravi Valley below Bara Bangahal, with its tributaries the Budhil and the Tundah, all the way down to Chhatrari.
According to a local tale, Brahampura predates Maru, and according to popular belief, this area was once the goddess Brahmaani’s vatika (garden), which is where her shrine now sits on the ridge, some three to four kilometres away. The kid of Brahmaani Devi loved playing with his pet chakor, or bird. The son was shocked to death when the chakor was killed by a peasant one day. Brahmani Devi, who was grieving, made a sacrifice of her own by burying herself alive. The people who elevated Brahmani Devi to the level of a deity and constructed her temple were horribly haunted by the ghosts of these three deceased individuals. The locals think that Brahmpura was given its name in honour of Brahamani Devi.
According to the narrative, God Shiva and his 84 Sidhas stopped in Brahmpura, the Vatika of the Goddess Brahmani Devi, on their trip to Manimahesh, and spent the night there. The ruling deity of the location, Brahmani Devi, became furious when she noticed the smoke coming from the fires the Sidhas had started. Shiva and the Sidhas were told to leave by her when she arrived at the scene. Shiva begged them to allow her to stay the night there in absolute humility. Goddess Brahamani granted their requests. Because they wanted to settle there, the 84 Mahasiddhas changed into 84 Lingas.
All pilgrims planning to visit Manimahesh must take a plunge in the Brahmani pool, according to a blessing from the Lord Shiva given to Brahamani Devi. In the absence of this, Lord Shiva would not accept their pilgrimage.
The Himachal Pradesh government began offering helicopter service to Manimahesh, which is 14,000 feet above sea level, in September 2007.
Places to visit in Bharmour
Temples
Bharmani Mata Temple
The Bharmani Mata temple complex is located 4 kilometres from the Bharmour at the top of a ridge. It is mostly are known for the goddess Bharmani Mata. Many people think Bharmani Devi inspired the name Brahmpura for the Bharmour. When Lord Shiva visited Manimahesh, he gave the goddess Bharmani Devi the boon that everyone planning to make a pilgrimage there must take a dip in their sacred pool. In the absence of this, Lord Shiva would not accept their pilgrimage. Before arriving at Manimahesh Lake, every visitor is required to take a bath at Bharmani’s holy pool.
Chaurasi (84) Temples Bharmour
For its importance and size, the Chaurasi Temple Complex, also known as Chaurasi Mandir (Chaurasi Temple), is well-known. The temple complex is meticulously decorated with 84 old, beautifully crafted temples. The Chaurasi, where all of these temples are located, is named for the 84 Siddhas who are thought to have meditated in Bharmaur more than 1000 years ago. These Siddhas travelled to Manimahesh and were from Kurukshetra. As a result, this collection of temples was given the name Chaurasi Temple. From the Chaurasi Temple Complex, you can see a beautiful, clean, and scenic view of mountains that are often covered in snow.
Banni Mata Temple
The Banni Mata Temple, sometimes referred to as the Mahakali Banni Mata Temple, is situated in Bharmour, a hill town in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. This temple is located in the Bharmour Valley at an elevation of 8,500 feet, at the foot of the stunning Pir Panjal Range of Himalayas. It is a historic shrine that honours the Hindu deity Devi Kali. The people of Bharmour place great value on both this shrine and the goddess Kali. Before navigating the Kalicho Pass, Bharmour shepherds seek the grace of Kali Mata. If somebody enters the Kalicho Pass without Kali Mata’s consent, awful things are said to happen.
Bhagwati mata temple
Chamunda Mata, a goddess, is honoured at Bhagwati Mata Temple. This temple is close to Seri village. There are two ways to get to this temple. One option is a 2 km downhill sloping trek from Bharmour. Another route is comparatively simpler, consisting of a 3 km motorable road followed by a 1 km flat hike. On the alternate path to the Bhagwati Mata Temple, one can also stop by the Nag Temple. A feast is held each year at this temple.
Wildlife
Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the biggest wildlife sanctuaries in the state of Himachal Pradesh is the Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary in Bharmour. It is located at a height of between 2,195 and 5,040 metres. A woodland corridor connects the Tundah Refuge to this sanctuary on its western side. It is 17 kilometres from Bharmour, Himachal Pradesh, and is easily reachable from there.
Tundah Wildlife Sanctuary
The Tundah wildlife sanctuary is located at the confluence of the Tundah Nalla and Ravi Rivers, 25 km from Bharmour and 45 km from Dalhousie. The Tundah sanctuary is located between 2074 and 5532 metres above sea level and is connected to the Kugti sanctuary via an eastern forest corridor. Many different natural animals, including Himalayan Ibex and pheasants, call this breathtakingly gorgeous Tundah refuge home.
Waterfalls
Thala Waterfall
The truly stunning Thala waterfall is situated 9 kilometres from Bharmour, close to the river at the Thala bridge. It is around 100 metres from Thala Bridge and is conveniently reachable via cab. The waterfalls of Bhamour can be seen all year round because there is always enough water to astound you, unlike many other well-known waterfalls in India that can only be seen in the monsoon due to very low or no water during other periods. Therefore, this is the greatest site for you to visit if you are weary of visiting waterfalls only to find that there is never any water in them because you can come here at any time of the year. It’s great to picnic by this waterfall and have a good time. Only one kilometre separates Chho Chhundu Waterfall and Ghared Waterfall, two further waterfalls. At the base of the waterfall, a tiny natural pool forms, but only the most daring among you should try to jump in. The water is simply too cold to swim in, and there is also a possibility of being sucked into the waterfall’s base due to the strong pressure of the water dropping from such a great height.
Ghared waterfall
One kilometre from Thala waterfall and ten kilometres from Bharmour are the Ghared and Chho Chhundu waterfalls, respectively. To get close to the waterfall, you must ascend roughly 200 metres above the road. Immediately below this waterfall is another waterfall. The waterfalls are both gorgeous. Even though Ghared Falls is not among the largest in the world, it is a wonderful place to spend time. It is a fanning waterfall in the style of a horsetail. Almost every time you visit this fall, a small rainbow may be seen at the base of the waterfall.
Hadsar waterfall
One of the tallest waterfalls is the Hadsar waterfall. One step out of the many that it possesses is depicted in this photo. This waterfall is located close to the start of the Kugti wildlife sanctuary, 14 kilometres from Bharmour. A little cave created by the glacier at the base of the waterfall can be seen if you visit in April, May, or June. If you are visiting this waterfall, there is a large area that is ideal for setting up enjoyable activities.
Kaksen – Bhagsen waterfall
The waterfalls of Paap and Punya (Sins & Virtue), also known as the Kaksen-Bhagsen cascade, are situated 18 kilometres from Bharmour in the Kugti wildlife reserve close to Dharol. These waterfalls are quite spectacular.
Trekking
Manimahesh Lake Trek
Several thousand locals and visitors make the pilgrimage to this lake each year, which is located at a height of 13,500 feet. The Hadsar, Dancho, and Gaurikund treks take about four days and three nights to complete.
Bharmour-Keylong Trek
This strenuous walk takes you out of the valley and into the Lahaul area by way of the high Kalicho Pass, which is located at 16,153 feet. It takes roughly seven days and six nights to complete the walk, which passes via Bhadra, Bansar, Alyas, and Trilokinath.
Bara Bhangal Trek
This walk begins in Bharmour and concludes in Baijanth, 63 kilometres from Dharamshala, along an intriguing and difficult path. After Dhandar, the route’s highest point is reached when it soars to a height of 15,305 feet. The journey spans about eight days and seven nights and passes through Dhardi, Lake Basecamp, Bara Bhangal, and Khanar.
Best time to Visit
The following contains meteorological information for Bharmour. You can acquire travel-related information from this additional widget. You can plan your trip with the aid of the Bharmour weather widget. By selecting the widget’s “More” button, you can see the comprehensive weather as well as learn the forecast for the next three months. Although December and January are the best months to experience snow, it can also snow in other years from October to April.
How to reach Bharmour
By Air: The closest airport to Bharmour is located at Gaggal, close to Dharamshala, and is about 190 kilometres away. Buses and taxis are easy to get to from the airport, but it will take four to five hours to drive.
By Train: Pathankot, 180 kilometres from Bharmour, is the closest railroad station. It is easy to find buses and cabs from Pathankot Railway Station, although the drive would take four to five hours.
By Road: From Delhi, the quickest route to Bharmour would be to take a HRTC Volvo from Kashmere Gate straight to Chamba. You will arrive at Chamba directly from the overnight bus, where you can board another bus or take a taxi to Bharmour.
F&Q’s Bharmour
Who was the founder of Bharmour?
The first person to settle in Bharmour was Meru, the father of the first prince, Jaistambh, in the Chamba Vanshavali. He came from the Ayodhyan royal dynasty.
What is the old name of Bharmour?
The ancient capital of India’s Himachal Pradesh state’s Chamba district was Bharmour, formerly known as Brahmpura. Bharmour is 40 kilometres southeast of Chamba and 7,000 feet above sea level in the Budhil valley. It is known for its beautiful scenery and ancient temples.
Why is Chamba famous for?
The unspoiled natural splendour of Chamba, the home of Kailash Mountain and Lord Shiva, is well known. It is a small but very interesting place to visit in Himachal Pradesh, known for its stunning natural beauty.
Which is known as the land of 84 temples?
The 84 Chaurasi Temples in Himachal Pradesh’s Bharmour area inspire not just devotion but also amazement and curiosity. According to folklore, the 84 Hindu temples within the complex have the capacity to free people from birth into any one of the 84 million varieties of life.
