Bathu Shiva Temples- Himachal Pradesh

Address

Bathu Shiva Temples- Maharana Pratap Sagar, Jagnoli, Himachal Pradesh 176025

Diety

Shiva Amman: Parvati

Introduction

There are so many temples in the state of Himachal Pradesh, but Bathu Temples are unique because they can only be approached in the month of May-June, and the rest of the time they get submerged. That is the specialty of Bathu temples. Situated in the Kangra district, the temples are locally known as Bathu ki Ladi as it is basically a cluster of temples. The primary deity is Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha’s figures carved on the stones, while inside the temple Lord Vishnu’s statue resting on his Shesh Naag. Bathu ki Ladi is the cluster of eight temples, and the main temple in the centre is of “Lord Shiva” deity.

Puranic Significance

According to local belief, it was built by local king who ruled the region. Many stories about the origin of the temples are famous among the folklore. Other beliefs say that temple was built by Pandavas. The folklore tells a story dating back to Mahabharata when Pandavas attempted to build a staircase to ascend to Heaven at monolithic Masrur Rock Temples located at the opposite of the lake but Indira intervened. But, successfully built the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ at ‘Bathu ki Ladi’ temples where that staircase still exists even today. The central temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is made up of a special and powerful stone known as ‘Bathu’, and that is why it is still standing strong and beautiful even after being immersed in water for 30 years. And every year, when the water level decreases and the temple emerge out of the water, the stone has the same beauty and durability. The big pillar is the only thing which is visible when the temples are submerged in the water.

Special Features

All these clusters of temples are submerged in the Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir for eight months and are approachable for people only in the months of May-June when water level decreases.