It is commandingly located on the spur of Shah Madar range of hills, opposite to the Chamba town. It was built by Raja Umed Singh (dated between 1748 and 1764 AD).
It is the only wooden temple with gabled roof (single storied) in Chamba, while all others in the town are said to be stone temples built in the north Indian Nagara architectural style. In the past, access to the temple was through a stone paved steep path laid with 378 steps, but it is now approached by a motorable road (3 kilometres (3,000 m). The temple, a trabeated structure, built on a high raised plinth, buttressed on all four sides, has a rectangular layout on the outside. The details of the temple structure are: Outer layout – 9.22 metres (30.2 ft)x6 metres (20 ft), inner square sanctum – 3.55 metres (11.6 ft)x3.55 metres (11.6 ft) with a parikrama path (circumambulatory path) of 1.67 metres (5.5 ft) all round it. There is a mandap in the foreground of the temple of5.1 metres (17 ft)x6 metres (20 ft) size with an agni-kund or fire pit in the centre and a gable roof covered with slates. The mandapa has lovely carvings in wood in its multi paneled ceiling and depicts carvings of human figures on the pillars and brackets. Votive bells provided in the mandap entrance, dated April 2, 1762, has a Nagari inscription, which records it as the offering from Pandit Vidhadhara to goddess Chamunda deified in the temple; this date has been inferred as the date when the temple was consecrated.
Chamunda Devi Temple History
About Hari Rai Temple
Located northwest of the Chaugan, Hari Rai temple was built in the 11th century by Salabhana. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Chaturmurti. This stone temple built in the Shikara style stands on a stone platform and has beautiful carvings.
The 3 headed figure statue of Lord Vishnu at the temple is made out of 8 different materials. At the support of the temple there is a gorgeous statue of Lord Vishnu astride on 6 horses. The temple is also the dwelling of other deities like Lord Shiva, Surya and Aruna.
There are structures like the Gandhi Gate and the Fire Station Building right in front of the temple, blocking and hiding much of the temples request from the outside. However the Gandhi Gate built in 1900 to welcome Lord Curzon is the easiest attraction to find in Chamba because of its saffron color.



