The Laxmi Narayan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Himachal Pradesh. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. Established by Raja Sahil Varman in 920 AD, this temple is known for its historical prominence and architectural style as well. Further talking about its architectural style, it has been built in the shikhara style with wooden cenotaphs acting as the roof. The main shrine consists of six temples where devotees flock in huge numbers to seek blessings to the Lord on an annual basis.
According to the legends, the idol of Lord Vishnu at this temple has been made out of a rare marble brought from the Vindhyachal Mountain range. Some people also say that Raja Sahil Varman had sacrificed his eight sons to get his hands on the marble.
If you are planning a trip here, then the best time to visit would be between 6 AM-12:30 PM and 2:30 PM-8:30 PM for seven days of the week. And the best months to visit Himachal for the darshan are between April and October. During these months, the overall temperature is quite good for exploring around and sightseeing activities.
Major Attractions in and Around Laxmi Narayan Temple
1. Radha Krishna Temple
The temple premises include another magnificent temple i.e. Radha Krishna Temple. Lord Krishna’s devotees shouldn’t miss out on their darshan of the Lord in the temple.
2. Shiva Temple of Chandragupta
This temple in the premise holds an important place amongst all the Hindu devotees. It is something that will keep your curiosity alive too. The mystic, the Mahadeva Lord Shiva Statue exudes a majestic grace to which a lot of devotees get attracted to.
3. Champawati Temple
It is believed that Raja Sahil Varman had built this temple in the memory of his daughter. The architecture of this temple is very unique and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. According to folklore, Princess Champavati spent most of her time with learned men. To this, his father got a little suspicious and one day he followed the princess to the hut of a saint. While doing so, he also held a dagger in his hand. As he entered the hut, he saw that it was completely empty. Then suddenly, a voice echoed in the hut saying, that due to his malicious suspicions, his daughter had been taken away from him as a punishment for forever. Due to this guilt and penance, the king then decided to build a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga.
4. Sightseeing and Photography
The surroundings and the natural beauty around the temple makes you indulge in its mystical charm so much so, that you won’t be able to resist yourself from capturing it through the magic of your lenses. So, it is important that you do take a good camera with you so as not to miss out on those special moments bestowed to you by nature.
How to Reach Laxmi Narayan Temple
By Air
If you are planning to go by air, you have to land at Kangra Airport. After deboarding the flight, you will have to take local transport such as a bus or taxi. The journey from the airport to Chamba may take about 2 hours.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Laxmi Narayan Temple is Shimla Railway Station. Once, you deboard at the station, you will need to further cover the remaining distance by a cab or some other means of transportation.
By Road
Depending upon your location, you can also travel to Laxmi Narayan Temple via road as well. As per your convenience, you can choose to travel via your own vehicle, cab or a bus.
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