Explore Bathu ki ladi-Kangra

 

India has several mysterious and unique places that have a rich historical past. One such mystifying place is Bathu ki ladi temples in the kangra district of Himachal. What makes this temple unique is the fact that this temple remains submerged in water for eight months of the year. It is primarily a clutter of six different temples, and has a Mahabharata connection. Most of you must not be even aware of the existence of this hidden temple. So, let’s know more about this hidden beauty in Himachal.

The location

It is one rustic and undiscovered haven in Himachal that is situated close to Pong Dam, around three kilometers from Dhameta, which is a small town in Kangra. The temple remains under water from July to February, and can only be witnessed and visited between the months of March and June. As the water level of Pong Dam Lake rises, the temple becomes a part of underwater world.

About Bathu stone

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.

Historical belief and significance

As per common belief, this temple was built by some local king who ruled the region, while others connect it to mythological characters 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.

The surroundings

If you are someone who loves nature and wishes to spend some peaceful time, then you’ll definitely love the location of Battu temples. Moreover, 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.

How to reach?

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.