Bathu Temples - Under water Lord Shiva & Parvati temples

 

India has several enigmatic and unique places that have a rich historical past. One such mystifying place is Bathu temples, known locally as Bathu ki ladi temples in the Kangra district of Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The main temple dedicated to goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. What makes this temple unique is the fact that this temple remains submerged in Maharana Pratap Sagar for eight months from July to February of the year. It is primarily a clutter of six different temples and has a Mahabharata connection. these temples are only accessible from March to June when the water level decreases. The temples are accessible by boat from Dhameta and Nagrota Surian and accessible by road from Jawali. Most of the people must not be even aware of the existence of this hidden beauty in Himachal.

 

 

 

The origin of the temple is not confirmed. Many stories about the origin of the temples are famous among the folklore. According to common local belief, it was built by local king who ruled the region. Other beliefs say that temple was built by Pandavas. They believe that the Pandavas (characters from the epic Mahabharata) tried to build their "staircase to heaven" from here only, which they couldn’t succeed in making.

 

 

 

Despite being submerged in water for such a long period, you won’t notice any major damage in the structure of the temple. It is because the temple is made up of a powerful stone called ‘bathu’. It’s an enticing sight, looking at the temple which is mostly covered in water and only a few towering pillars can be seen trying to reach out. You can see Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha’s figures carved on the stones, while inside the temple you’ll notice Lord Vishnu’s statue resting on his Shesh Naag. The place is a paradise for birdwatchers as Pong Dam wetland is renowned for being home to a wide range of migratory birds, with more than 200 bird species coming here.

 

 

 

People can reach the temple on a boat and around the temple there’s an island like structure called Rensar, where you can also find a forest department’s guesthouse. The nearest airport is located at Dharamshala, the Gaggal Airport. From Kangra, one can hire a taxi till Jawali or Dhameta village.