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  Places of Interest at Chamba

Churah, now a sub-division, was one of the Wazarats of the erstwhile State regime. Churah literally means four paths. In fact the headquarters Tissa, now Bhanjraru, is a central place of Churah from where paths lead to all four directions linking different places within the district and the adjoining state of Jammu & Kashmir. Churah lies to the north of Chamba town and constitutes another beautiful valley of Chamba district. Churah seems to have been open to trade route from Jammu & Kashmir as it makes boundary with it. The Indo-Greek silver coins found near Lachori village of Churah duly preserved in Bhuri Singh Museum, Chamba prove that there must have been a trade route through the valley.

Churah valley is endowed with various places of scenic beauty, religious and historical places. Lack of proper communication and transportation facility and lack of due publicity have kept these places away from the eyes of tourists. Bhandal-Kihar, Jasorgarh, Thalli-Bhatkar, Dudar Dhar, Bhukhu Dhar, Devi Kothi, Baira, Bhatmana, Himgiri-Banter and Salooni-Kilod are to mention a few most beautiful places with rich green cover of deodar, ban, kail,spruce and fir. Salooni the headquarters of Salooni tehsil and commands a panoramic view of the surrounding hills, mountains, valley and sub-valley. Churah valley has to its credit the following four beautiful lakes.

Gadasru Lake- This lake is situated on Gadarsu peak at a distance of 16 kms from Tissa and at an altitude of 11,500 feet. The lake is circular and is approximately half a mile in circumference. A temple dedicated to Goddess Kali stands at a corner of  the lake. The approach to the lake is through difficult rocky terrain. This lake is believed to have been discovered by a surveyor probably of the Geological Survey of India, who after his compass instrument came to be known as Compassi Babu which later corrupted to Kappassi Babu. This lake has become a place of pilgrimage.

Mahakali Dal- This dal (lake) is situated at a height of 12,000 feet from the sea level and lies at a place where the boundaries of parganas of Saho and Gudial of Chamba tehsil and Changu of Churah tehsil meet. Surrounded by meadows below mountain peaks, the lake presents a panoramic. Look to the viewer. The lake is dedicated to Goddess Kali and perfect silence is observed at the place. This lake is though smaller then Lama dal, is larger than Khajjiar and Manimahesh lake.

Mahal Nag dal- on Mahalvar dhar and Chamunda Devi Dal at Devi Kothi are the other two beautiful lakes. Approaches being difficult, these lakes remain less frequented by the people.

Churah is also known for many other temples of which Chamunda Devi temple at Devi Kothi and Bhader Kali temple in Bhalei sub tehsil are more famous.  

Churah is famous for different kothis built by the Rajas almost in each pargana. Some kothis were built as rest places for the Rajas and their men on their visits to the area. Kothis used as rest houses can be enlisted as Devi Kothi, Sei Kothi, Thanei Kothi, Himgiri Kothi, ladan Kothi, and Sanooh Kothi. Kothis are generally square in shape measuring 20 or 30 yards on each side with an open courtyard in the centre. The buildings are to or three stories with spacious rooms and verandahs.

Some kothis were designed as fortress and used as revenue collection centre and as courts for administering justice, law and order. Such kothis are Bairagarh, Tikrigarh, Begheigarh and Jassaurgarh etc.

Churah is also famous for its hydro-electric project Baira Siul. Nakrod is the dam-site of the project and power-house is located at Surgani.

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