Brajeshwari Temple, Chamba

This temple at the far end of Jansali Bazaar in Chamba is dedicated to Vajreshwari, a goddess of lightning and a form of Durga, and is thought to be more than a thousand years old. Built in the Shikhara style, it has a tall spire, wooden chhatris and fine stonework on its front, and eighteen small inscriptions on its outer walls.

Carvings of Hindu deities cover the inner walls. The shrine holds an image of Durga riding a lion, with Vishnu beside her in three forms: human, boar and lion. Tradition holds that Durga told the Pandavas in a dream to build a temple at this spot.