Bathu temples' tourism potential untapped

Rajiv Mahajan

Nurpur, November 29

The ancient shrine Bathu-ki-Ladi on the Pong lake in lower Kangra district is a picture of neglect.

The cluster of ancient temples remains submerged in the lake from July to February and emerges in March when the water level recedes. The temple attracts a heavy rush of devotees, but has failed to attract the attention of the successive governments for tourism promotion.

The shrine is estimated to have been built in 8 AD by the Hindu Shahi dynasty and has a Mahabharata connection. The cluster consists of a central Lord Shiva shrine and over 15 smaller ones.

Bathu-ki-Ladi had submerged in the Pong Lake, a reservoir created by the Pong Dam in early 1970s. Since then, these temples are only accessible from March to June when the water level recedes. The temples are accessible by boat from Dhameta and Nagrota Surian and by road from Jawali.

Since the land on which these temples were built falls under the Pong reservoir, the government had awarded compensation for building a new shrine at Bainan Attarian, where idols were to be shifted after the construction of the dam. However, the temple structure was never relocated.

Besides being a popular destination for pre-marriage photo shoots, several singers have shot videos at the shrine. However, the successive state governments have failed to develop infrastructure to enhance the beauty of the place, which has a wide scope for eco-tourism activities.

Interestingly, even after remaining submerged for a long time, no major damage has been observed in the structure because it is made of a strong stone called “bathu”.

The elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions of the Fatehpur development block adjoining the Pong Lake have urged the government to bring this historical place on the tourism map. They say that the state government as well as those managing this ancient structure have abandoned it.