Chamba Rediscovered

Chalo Chamba

Suhi Fair of Chamba

One of the oldest fairs of India. Being celebrating for more than 1000 years in continuity

चलो चम्बा के इतिहास को जाने 👇

Chamba, now a northern most district in Himachal Pradesh was a princely kingdom, which came into existence in the circa seventh half of the 6" century A.D. Chamba has proved by and large the only area in the north India, the history and art of which can be traced from 6" century onwards, in almost unbroken continuity. The nucleus of the kingdom was Bharmaur, which also finds mention in Panini's Ashtadhayayi where this region is mentioned as 'Gabdika'. The capital of the ancient kingdom was shifted by raja Sahilla Varman in the early 10" century A.D. to the present Chamba town. Chamba posed many problems, as it was a new settlement. The main problem was that of drinking water, though Chamba town is settled at the junction of two rivers - Ravi and Sal. Raja Sahilla provided the town with drinking water from Sarotha through open channel from it the entire town was connected with the Suhi-da-Marh and Rajnaun located below the Shahmadar hill, at Chontra mohalla.

According to strong oral tradition, there was no adequate source of drinking water in the Chamba town. A water channel from Sarotha nallah was the only source around the shoulder of Shah Madar hill. Somehow water did not enter the channel due to certain reasons. The phenomenon was assigned to the super natural cause. The council of the learned Brahmins was consulted, who opined the spirits of the stream must be appeased, if the Rani or her son were sacrificed.

Another legend holds that Raja himself had a dream in which he was asked to offer his son as sacrifice. Whereupon, the Rani pleaded and insisted that if there must be a sacrifice, she would be the person for this noble cause. The wish was accepted by the raja. On the pointed day accompanied by her maidens and bare headed as a 'Sati', she was carried in a palanquin beyond the Shah-Madar hill and finally led to the spot near Bharotha, where the water course leaves the main stream. There a grave was dug and she was buried alive. The legend goes on to say that when the grave was covered with big boulders the water entered in the channel and began to flow and has been flowing ever since.

A popular folk song, 'Suhi Mata di Bar', states that Rani had a dream herself to offer herself for a sacrifice. Whatsoever the legend may be, but it is certain that rani sacrificed herself. Such sacrifices were quite in keeping with the spirits of the time.

A small dome shaped open shrine (chhatri) is visible at the top of the flight of the steps. According to the legend that this is the spot where rani had taken rest for a while to see for the last time the Chamba town below. A very simple form of memorial, a pindi, smcared with vermilion is known by the name of Suhi Mata. Now this pindi embellished by a brass mask and is known by the name of Suhi Devi or SuhiBhagvati. To commemorate the sacrifice of Rani a fair is celebrated annually for fifteen days in the month of Chaitra known as 'Suhian' (Suhi-Mela). It has been tradition that the fair begins with the ritual performance done by a girl belonging to the descendants of the royal family. Now the fair is celebrated for three days and is attended only by the women and children. The concluding day of the fair is called Sukrat, meaning 'the peace be with you"
Article by- Sharma
Deputy Commissioner Chamba SDM Chamba Chalo Chamba Curators Bhuri Singh

8 मार्च चम्बा दिवस
आठ मार्च 1948 को चंबा रियासत का हिमाचल में हुआ था विलय

चंबा के अथक प्रयासों और त्याग ने पूरी हुई थी पहाड़ी राज्य बनाने की संकल्पना

आठ मार्च 1948 को चंबा रियासत का भारतीय गणतंत्र के साथ विलय हुआ था। यही कारण है कि इस दिन को चंबा दिवस के तौर पर भी जाना जाता है। इसकी हिमाचल निर्माण में भी अहम भूमिका रही है। इसका हिमाचल गैजेट के पेज नंबर 159 व 160 में भी जिक्र है। हिमाचल निर्माण के समय पंजाब के राजनेताओं का यह भरसक प्रयास था कि पूर्वी पंजाब की पहाड़ी रियासतों को पंजाब में मिला दिया जाए। किंतु चंबा के लोगों ने इसके विरुद्ध जोरदार आवाज उठाई। लोगों का तर्क था कि पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों का रहन-सहन, संस्कृति, भाषा आदि पंजाब से भिन्न है। अतः इसे अलग पहाड़ी राज्य बनाया जाना चाहिए। भारत सरकार के रियासतों संबंधी मंत्रालय के सचिव वीपी मेनन ने अपनी पुस्तक भारतीय रियासतों के भारत में विलय की कहानी में इसका उल्लेख किया है। जाहिर है कि चंबा यदि पंजाब में चला जाता तो हिमाचल प्रदेश का गठन आर्थिक रूप से व्यावहारिक न माना जाता। जिस तर्क का प्रयोग उस समय पंजाब के नेताओं द्वारा किया जा रहा था, उससे तो हिमाचल का गठन ही न हो पाता। किंतु चंबा ने हिमाचल गठन के लिए अग्रणी भूमिका निभाई और सोलन में हुई सभा में प्रजामंडल के प्रतिनिधियों ने भाग लेकर हिमाचल गठन में योगदान दिया। तीन जिले महासू, सिरमौर और मंडी पूर्वी छोर पर थे और चंबा जिला पश्चिमी छोर पर था। बीच में पंजाब का कांगड़ा जिला पड़ता था। उस समय की राजनीति में चंबा का विशेष महत्त्व राज्य की आर्थिक व्यावहारिकता सिद्ध करने के लिए था। यदि चंबा हिमाचल में विलय न करता तो चंबा पंजाब के गुरदासपुर जिला का हिस्सा बनता। उसकी वजह से जो महासू, सिरमौर व मंडी दूसरी तरफ थे। जो कि अपने अपने खर्चे खुद पूरे नहीं कर सकता था। ऐसे में हिमाचल का निर्माण हो पाना असंभव था। इसी बीच चंबा के हिमाचल में विलय के फैसले से ही हिमाचल प्रदेश के राज्य निर्माण का सपना साकार हो पाया था।

At Shimla’s HIM MSME Fest 2026, one quiet exhibit drew the most attention — a Chamba handkerchief that carried centuries of history in every stitch.

Displayed under the One District One Product (ODOP) festival, it stood as a reminder of a royal art form that survives through human patience and devotion.

The handkerchief was created by Anjali Vakil, a national award-winning artisan from Chamba.

On fine silk, she brought to life a rare double-sided embroidery so precise that the design looks identical on both sides, with no loose threads to betray the reverse.

While simpler pieces start at ₹1,500, such intricate works often run into lakhs.

“It takes several months to complete one handkerchief,” Anjali says to ETV Bharat. “Everything depends on the complexity of the design.”

Recognition has come slowly.

During Isha Ambani’s wedding, Anjali’s mother-in-law and guru, Lalita Vakil, was invited, and two Chamba handkerchiefs worth ₹2 lakh were purchased — a rare moment of visibility for Himachal’s artisan community.

More than fabric, the Chamba handkerchief is memory, labour, and lineage — kept alive by artisans who stitch history into the present, one careful thread at a time.



[Chamba Handkerchief, Chamba Rumal, Indian Textile Heritage, Traditional Embroidery Art, Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts, National Award Winner]

🌄 You’re Invited! 🌄

Bhuri Singh Museum, Chamba
in association with NotOnMap,
cordially invites you to the

🎓 National Conference on
HIMALAYAN LEGACIES:
Exploring Histories, Heritage Practices, and Cultural Futures

🗓 Date: November 3–5, 2025
📍 Venue: Bhuri Singh Museum, Chamba

Join us in this meaningful gathering celebrating the 117th Foundation Year of Bhuri Singh Museum.
The conference brings together scholars, heritage enthusiasts, and cultural practitioners to share ideas and experiences dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Himalayan heritage.

✨ Let’s honor the past, engage the present, and inspire the future of the Himalayas together!

For details, contact: 9418141662