Bharmour is known as Brahmpura and is the ancient capital of the Chamba district. It is famous for its lovely beauty. Bharmour is also famous for its ancient temples. The other temples around Bharmour are Ganesh Temple, Nar Singh Temple, and Manimahesh Temple. The area around Bharmour belongs to lord Shiva also known as abode to lord Shiva. Bharmour is resided by Gaddies. The Gaddies reside only in the mountains which separate Chamba from and Lauhal & Spiti district. Bharmour is also known for its red delicious apples and herbs. The Bharmour is also known for warm woollen blankets.
HISTORY OF BHARMOUR
Emperor Meru Varman, the father of the prince Jaystambh in the Chamba state was the first to settle in Bharmour. He belonged to the ruling family of Ayodhya. Meru found access to the upper mountainous region through the Ravi Valley. In the middle of the 6th century, he won many battles with Ranas holding their territory and founded the town Brahmpura and he made it the capital of a new state.
According to one legend, the name Brahmpura was in use at a still earlier period for the more ancient kingdom of Bharmour which existed in the territories of Garhwal and Kamaun, and Meru Varman gave the same name of Brahmpura to the state that he founded with present Bharmour as his capital. After Meru, several Rajas ruled in succession until Sahil Varman. After about four hundred years Sahil Varman conquered the lower Ravi valley and transferred the capital from Brahmpura to the new capital he founded at Chamba.
According to another local legend, the place Brahmpura was older than Meru’s time and as per common belief this used to be the garden of goddess Brahmani who used to reside Brahmani Devi had a son who was very fond of his pet chakor (birds). One day the chakor 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 trios’ 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 Brahmani Devi.
THE ANCIENT CHAURASI TEMPLES
Chaurasi Temple is located in the centre of Bharmour town and it holds immense religious importance because of temples built around 1400 years ago. Life of people in Bharmour centres around the temple complex Chaurasi, named so because of 84 shrines built in the periphery of Chaurasi Temple. Chaurasi is a Hindi word for the number eighty-four. The beautiful shikhara-style temple of Manimahesh occupies the centre of the complex. It is believed that when 84 Siddhas, who had come from Kurukshetra, were passing through Bharmour to visit Manimahesh, they fell in love with the calmness of Bharmour and reconciled to meditate here. Chaurasi Temple Complex was built approximately in the 7th century, although repairs of many temples were carried out in a later period.
There is another legend associated with the Chaurasi temple complex. It is believed that shortly after Sahil Varman’s accession of Brahampura (the ancient name of Bharmour), 84 yogis visited this place. They were greatly pleased with the King’s hospitality. As the King had no heir, Yogis promised him ten sons. They were requested by the King to stay back in Brahampura till the prediction of Yogis was fulfilled. In due course of time, the king was blessed with ten sons and a daughter.
The daughter was named Champavati and because of liking Champavati new capital Chamba was established. It is believed that the Chaurasi temple complex in Bharmour was built to honour these 84 Yogis and named Chaurasi after them. There are 84 big and small temples in the Chaurasi temple complex. Chaurasi is a spacious level ground in the centre of Bharmour where the galaxy of temples mostly in the form of Shivlingas exists. The Chaurasi Temple Complex offers a delightful, clean and scenic view.
Mysterious Himachal 