Laxmi Narayan Temple, Himachal Pradesh

The Laxmi Narayan Temple is considered as the one of the oldest as well as the largest temple in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. This temple attracts many pilgrims throughout the year. The six different temples in the Laxmi Narayan Temple complex are organized from north to south and are consecrated to either Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva. There are also several other temples dwelt in the complex which collective make it highly captivating. These other shrines include the temple of Shiva Temple of Chandergupta, Gauri Shankar Temple and Radha Krishna. 

Though this temple was built in the 10th century, the Laxmi Narayan Temple seemed to be adorned by kings who engaged the throne of Chamba subsequently. Raja Balabhadra Verma made the metallic icon of Garuda on a high pillar at the main entrance gate of the temple while Raja Chhatra Singh added the specious steeples on the temple tops. The latter was done as a objection against the commands of Aurangzeb to demolish the temple. The legend of the temple authorizes that Raja Sahil Verma, who built the temple, sent nine of his sons to the Vindhyas peaks to get marble which was appropriate for the construction of the Vishnu idol. 

The marble that were brought contained a frog. This was considered unfortunate and the sons were again sent back to get back the marble blocks. However, all the sons died while on their way back. The king did not gave up and he again sent his eldest son to get the marble. He was also onslaught by the robbers, but with the aid of a saint succeeded to save himself and kill his attackers. Yugkara, the eldest prince came back safely with the needful slab which was used to make the idol of Lord Vishnu in the temple. The temple is built in the Shikhara style. There is Bimana that is Shikhara, garbhgriha and also a mandapa like construction. The wooden chattris and the shield roofs indicate the climactic condition of the place where snowfall is quiet anticipated. The Lakshmi Narayan Temple complex is opened between 6 am to 12.30 pm and then from 2.30 to 8.30 pm. In between this period, the divinities are expected to be taking rest and at night they retire to the indoors of the temple for rest.