right bank of the Ravi at an altitude of 915 metres (3,000 ft) from Dalhousie and 122 km from Pathankot. There is also a 30 km long-foot path from Dalhousie to Chamba via Khajjiar which passes through thick deodar forests. Chamba lies in the bosom of the Himalayas. The mountains nature of Chamba made it difficult for the occasional conquerors to establish their supremacy over the local rulers and people. There was, therefore, no interference in the social and religous structure of the people. Chamba has preserved the anchent cultural heritage and civilization. The conservative character of the people haas tended to perpetuate the existing social customs and conditions. Still, there are old tribes i.e. Caddies and Pangwalas. For geographical reasons their customs, culture and habits differ from the people of the rest of the district. Chamba's hills and mountains, rivers, lakes, springs and streams, green meadows and forests are of matchless charm. Among the most interesting objects in Chamba are a number of richly carved ancient temples which closely resemble those in Rajasthan. The most striking of these are the six temples lying in a row near the palace. Three of these are dedicated to Vishnu and the remaining to Siva. All the shrines have shikharas or spires which distinguish them from other hill temples that are usually pent-roofed. Some of the temples date back to the tenth century. The richly carved Laxmi Narayan temple is the oldest one. Chamba is the starting point for many of the treks into the 73 interior of the hills. A road branches off from here to Kashmir via Bhaderwah, and another to Pangi valley over the Sach Pass. The jungles around Dalhousie and Chamba abound in wild life. In the higher regions near the snow line are to be found, snow leopard, ibex and marmot. At th lower elevations brown bear; musk deer, leopards and wild pigs are seen. Pheasants, partridges and wild fowl are found in all parts of the valley.