People & their Life
Style
Intervening Valleys
Places of Interest at Dalhousie
Places of Interest at Chamba
Destination Dalhousie
Destination Khajjiar
Destination Churah
Destination Pangi
Once
called Brahmpura as the ancient capital of Chamba State for probably four
hundred years, Bharmour proper is now the headquarters of Bharmour sub-
division. The site Kothi destroyed in the earthquake of 4th April 1905, was
believed to occupy the site of old places. Situated at an altitude of 7000
feet in the Budhil valley (32' 26" and 76' 32" E), forty miles to
the south-east of Chamba, Bharmour is known not only for its scenic beauty
but also for ancient
temples.
As the
whole country around Bharmour is supposed to belong to lord Shiva, it is popularly
spoken of as Shiva Bhumi, abode of lord Shiva. Being the home of
an interesting Gaddi tribe, it is also called Gadderan. Meru, the father of
the first recorded prince Jaistambh in the Chamba Vanshavali was the first to
settle at this place. He belonged to a ruling family of Ayodhya.
Accompanied
by his youngest son Jaistambh, Meru penetrated to the upper Ravi valley
through the outer hills. He defeated the patty Ranas holding the territory
there and founded the town Brahampura and made it the capital of new state.
This event is believed to have taken place
in the middle of 6th century A.D.
According
to one legend, the name Brahampura was in use at a still earlier period for
the more ancient kingdom of Bharmour which existed in the territories of
Garhwal and Kumaon, and that Maru Gav
e the same name of Brahampura to the
state that he founded with present Bharmour as his capital.
After Maru
several Rajas ruled in succession till Sahil Varman who conquered the lower
Ravi valley and transferred the seat of government from Brahampura to the
new capital which he had founded at Chamba.
The
original State was of very small extent and in all likelihood comprised at
the most the present Bharmour sub-division i.e. the valley of the Ravi below
Bara Bangahal, with its tributaries, the Budhil and the Tundah as far down as
Chhatrari.
According
to a local legend, the place Brahampura was older than Maru's time and as per
common belief this used to be the vatika (garden) of goddess Brahamani who
used to reside where her shrine now stands on the ridge at a distance of 3-4
kilometers. Brahamani Devi was having a son who was very fond of his pet choker
or (birds). One day the choker was killed by a peasant and the son was
shocked to death by this loose . Grief-stricken, Brahmani Devi also
sacrificed by burying herself alive. The spirits of these trio dead souls
started haunting the people awfully who raised Brahmani Devi to the status
of deity and built her a temple. The people believe that the place
was called Brahmpura after Brahamani Devi.
The legend
further says that God Shiva with 84 Sidhas while on his way to Manimahesh
happened to visit Brahmpura, the Vatika of the Goddess Brahmani Devi and
settle there for the night. When Brahmani Devi, the presiding deity of the
place saw the smoke of fires lit by the Sidhas, she felt very angry at this
trespass. She came down to the place and ordered Shiva and the Sidhas to get
out of the place. Shiva importuned in all his humility for allowing them to
spend a night there. Goddess Brahamani condescended to their wishes. The 84
Sidhas transformed themselves in to 84 Lingas because they wished to settle
there.
The
Lord Shiva granted a boon to Brahamani Devi that all persons
intending to go on pilgrimage to Manimahesh must have a dip in Brahmani pool. Failing this, their pilgrimage would not be acceptable to Lord Shiva.