Chaugan Valley - Chamba (Himachal Pradesh)

Chaugan is the heart and hub centre of all activities in Chamba. Tradition is silent as to its use as a polo ground and the name is etymologically distinct from Chaugan, the Persian name of Polo, being of Sanskrit origin and it means "four-sided". The nights of Chaugan is all together different, here the local people can be seen promenading in the Chaugan till late night. Initially the five Chaugan were a single patch of meadow. It became a public promenade and Cricket ground for the British. Gaddies with their deras can also be seen camping on the outskirts of this beautiful public promenade. Because of great pressure on Chaugan the quality of its turf is fast deteriorating. After Dusshera, Chaugan remains closed for public till April for maintenance. Minjar Mela helds every year in the Chaugan.