How This Tiny Himachal Town Has Been Keeping Their Traditional Arts & Crafts Alive for 1500 Years

From ancient temples that go back a 1,000 years to master craftswomen preserving centuries-old crafts, Chamba is a wonderland for heritage lovers.

Relics of Chamba's past live on its long list of traditional crafts, many of which have earned the coveted the GI tag.

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Women of Chamba have embroidered the iconic Chamba Rumaal for 300–400 years; it would take up to 1 year to make a single rumaal, depending on the design's intricacy!

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Entirely and meticulously handmade, the Chamba brass is an embossed plate used for rituals.

The GI-tagged 'Chamba Chappal' has a royal heritage dating back to the erstwhile rulers of Chamba.

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The miniature Chamba Paintings date back to the 17th century when the kings of Guler hired artists to illustrate the beauty of the Himalayan foothills.

Pangi Thobis are black and grey carpets crafted from goat's hair by the residents of the Pangi village.

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Interestingly, Chamba is the only former princely state in northern India to preserve a well-documented history from circa 500 AD – its high mountain ranges sheltered its traditions for centuries!