Bathu ki Ladi, the submerged beauty of Himachal Pradesh
This cluster of temples is prominently visible only in the months of March-June, when the water level of Maharana Pratap reservoir dips down considerably
NewsBharati 06-May-2022 16:32:00 PM
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India has countless places that can be called as mysterious and unique, having rich historical past. A perfect example of this is Bathu ki Ladi temples in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. What makes this temple unique is actually the fact that this temple remains submerged in water for 8 months of the year! The place is essentially a cluster of 6 different temples, and has legends associated with Mahabharata to it. Most of us wouldn’t even have been aware of this hidden temple prior to this. So today, let us get to know more about this mystical shrine in Himachal.
According to beliefs here, this temple was built by a local king who was ruling the region. Others connect it to mythological brothers Pandavas. Bathu ki Ladi is actually said to be constructed by the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. It is also believed that they tried to build the “staircase to heaven” from right here.
The cluster consists of 6 temples out of which 5 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the main one in the centre is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has idols of Sheshnag and Lord Hanuman too.
The canvas you want to paint is right in front of your eyes. With greenlands over one side and calm waters over the other, you will get addicted to the tranquillity of the location.
People can reach the temple by a boat from Rensar. Here, here you can also find a forest department’s guesthouse. The nearest airport is located at Dharamshala - the Gaggal Airport.
Popularly called as 'Bathu ki Ladi', this cluster of temples is prominently visible only in the months of March-June, when the water level of Maharana Pratap reservoir dips down considerably. The temples are built over the Pong dam lake, and is a well-skilled temple construction using the Bathu stone makes it a strong structure that always enticing its visitors even after staying immersed for most parts of the year. The temple is a rustic, undiscovered haven in Himachal near Pong Dam, around 3 kms from Dhameta, a small town in Kangra.
The cluster consists of 6 temples out of which 5 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the main one in the centre is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has idols of Sheshnag and Lord Hanuman too.
Despite of being submerged in water for such a period of time, you will not notice any major damage in the structure of it. This is because the temple is made up of a powerful stone called as ‘bathu’. The temple itself is a sight for sore eyes when one looks at it, when it is mostly covered in water and only a few towering pillars are seen, peeking out from the top of the water.
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Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha’s figures are clearly visible, carved on the stones, while inside the temple you’ll notice Lord Vishnu’s statue resting on his Shesh Naag.
Also, if you are a nature lover, and want to spend some peaceful time connecting with it more, then you’ll definitely love the location of Battu temples. Also, the place is heaven for birdwatchers, as Pong Dam wetland is renowned for being home to a wide range of migratory birds, with over 200 bird species coming here.
The canvas you want to paint is right in front of your eyes. With greenlands over one side and calm waters over the other, you will get addicted to the tranquillity of the location.
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The island surrounding the temple, named Rensar, is a paradise where you can sit in peace, watch a serene sunset, listen to silence, feel the soothing breeze on your face, and connect with yourself again.
People can reach the temple by a boat from Rensar. Here, here you can also find a forest department’s guesthouse. The nearest airport is located at Dharamshala - the Gaggal Airport.
Kinjal Dixit
Kinjal Dixit has a degree in bachelors in English and is currently pursuing her Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication. She has a hand at writing about infrastructure, culture and in sharing humanitarian stories.