An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , district Hamirpur Part - I

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh

District Hamirpur Part - I

Hamirpur is a district in Himachal Pradesh which came into existence on 1st September 1972 when re - arrangement of districts is done after the  hilly areas of Punjab were merged in Himachal Pradesh on 1st November 1966 .

View of Hamirpur 

Hamirpur was created as a separate district with two Tehsils Hamirpur and Barsar .

Tehsils in district Hamirpur at  Present :- 

At present district Hamirpur has eight Tehsils  for better administration and development.

1. Hamirpur,2. Barsar ,3.Nadaun ,4. Bhoranj , 5. Sujanpur Tihra ,6. Bamson at Tauni Devi  ,7. Dhatwal at Bijari and 8. Galore .

Sujanpur Tihra view of River Bias .

Sub Tehsils :- 

There are three sub Tehsils namely , Kangoo , Bhota and Lambloo in the district .

Brief History of Hamirpur :- 

According to Puranas and Panini 's Ashtadhyai in Mahabharata period the Hamirpur was a part of Trigarta Empire. It was a part of Jalandhar . The area between between Ravi and Satluj was ruled by Katoach dynasty .

Old Palace at Sujanpur Tihra 

Ancient Period :-  

During the ancient period it is said that Gupta dynasty had set up its sovereignty in this part and ruled the area .

Middle Ages :- 

Later on during the middle ages this part of land came under the control of Mohammad Gazani , Timurlung and there after Sultanas ruled over this part of land . With the passage of time all these rulers gone away .

Period Between 1700 A.D. to 1747 A. D . :- 

This was the period when all these rulers gone away and the entire area was being ruled by feudal hill chiefs called Rana's.

  These Rana's were always in fight against each other. The Katoch dynasty ruler Hamir Chand made it possible to control these Rana's to form a orderly society .Hamir Chand ruled the Kingdom from 1700A.D. to 1747 A.D. Raja Hamir Chand built Fort at  Hamirpur . The present town has  named after his name .

View of Mehal Morian at Hamirpur.

The Period From 1775A.D. to 1823 A.D.

Raja Sansar Chand II made Sujanpur Tihra as capital and he built palaces and temples here .He ruled the Kingdom from 1775 A. D. to 1823 A .D.  He was having a vision to establish the old empire of his ancestors Jalandhar - Trigarta , he tried it twice but remained unsuccessful as Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the hurdles on his way .

View of Palace at Sujanpur Tihra 

Which he remained unsuccessful in establishing Old Empire Jalandhar Trigarta due to Maharaja Ranjit Singh he diverted his attention towards hill chiefs and attached Mandi state , Raja Ishwari Sen of Mandi was kept in imprisonment at Nadaun for 12 years , Raja Suket was also managed to pay annual tribute  and some Parts of Bilaspur on the right bank of Satluj river were also attached .

Battle of Mehal Morian :-

On this uncontrolled movement of Raja Sansar Chand all hill chiefs joined hands and invited Gurkhas to fight against Raja Sansar Chand . The combined Army of Hill Chiefs and Gurkhas fought the battle at Mehal Morian in Hamirpur .But Raja Sansar Chand gave a crushing defeat to the combined Army and compelled them to go back to the left bank of Satluj . This was the first battle of Mehal Morian .

In the meantime a General Gulam Mohammad of Raja Sansar Chand advised him to replace the existing army with Rohillas on some economic grounds and it was implemented . This weakend the strength of Raja Sansar Chand 's forces . When the combined forces of Hill Chiefs and Gurkhas came to know about the weakness of Katoach dynasty 's forces ,they again planned a second battle of Mehal Morian .

Then combined forces attacked the forces of Raja Sansar Chand at Mehal Morian and in 1806 A .D.Raja Sansar Chand was badly defeated and he along with his family took shelter in Kangra Fort and had to loose Hamirpur .

The Gurkha forces also took Kangra Fort in their possession and looted the forts at Kangra and Mehal Morian and destroyed the villages . This continued for three years till 1809 A.D. Raja Ishwari Sen was made free from Nadaun Jail .

In 1809 A .D. Raja Sansar Chand requested Maharaja Ranjit Singh to help him and on his request , Maharaja Ranjit Singh lodged a war against Gurkhas and in 1809 he defeated Gurkhas but Raja Sansar Chand had paid a heavy price for it . He lost Kangra Fort and other 66 villages and Sikh empire took possession of Kangra Fort and other 66 villages thus succeeded in setting up their sovereignty over Kangra and Hamirpur till 1846.

View of Kangra Fort 

Anglo Sikh War :- 

In the Anglo Sikh war the British Army defeated the Sikh empire in 1846 and brought Kangra under British Empire.

Raja Sansar Chand died and his grandson Raja Pramodh Chand with the help of Sikhs and other rulers tried to dislodge British but couldn't succeeded .

British Empire made Kangra with Hamirpur , Kullu and Lahaul Spiti as it's parts , Nadaun was made Tehsil headquarters later this settlement was revised in 1868 and tehsil headquarter was shifted to Hamirpur . 

During 1888 Palampur was made a Tehsil by merging some parts of Hamirpur and Kangra  Tehsils . Thus Hamirpur remained the part of Punjab till the reorganization of Punjab on 1st November 1966 when hilly areas of Punjab were merged in Himachal Pradesh . This is brief History of Hamirpur.

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , district Chamba Outer Part III

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , 

District Chamba  Outer Part III

As Tourists places of district Chamba are attractions of nature so people all over India and abroad come to visit Chamba Himachal Pradesh .

The important and popular hill stations we must visit are :- 

Mini Switzerland Khajjiar  :- 

Khajjiar mini Switzerland 

The Khajjiar which is called mini Switzerland of Himachal Pradesh . It is very popular among tourists . The nature here is very much loving to tourists . Khajjiar is about 26 km from Dalhousie , a beautiful grassy ground with a lake in the centre. You can visit it at any time of the year . 

Dalhousie Town :- 

A beautiful hill station about 45 Km from Chamba district headquarters and about 85 Km from Pathankot ( Punjab ) is named after the British Governor Lord Dalhousie of 19 th century. 

This beautiful town is located at an altitude of 1970 metres above mean sea level on the five hills  named  :- 

View of Dalhousie Town.

The five hills , Kathlog , Potreys, Tehra , Bakrota and Bolun . The varieties of trees like Pine , Deodar , Oak and flowering Rhododendron impart immense natural beauty to the town .  Tourists enjoy the relaxing beauty of of Dalhousie Town during their trip to this hill station .

Church of Scotland Chamba :- 

It is situated in the main market of Chamba . It was built by Raja Sham Singh , the construction was started in 1899 AD and was completed in 1905 AD and was honoured to the Church of Scotland mission .

Church of Scotland 

Chamera Lake :- 

View of Chamera Lake

One another manmade wonder is Chamera dam and Chamera Lake which is about 35 Kms from Dalhousie on Chamba Dalhousie road.The Chamera Lake is results of Chamera dam . It is a very beautiful lake surrounded by green hills . The Lake provides many picnic spots with water sports activities for tourists .

Chamera Hydal Power Project 

The dam is 295 metres long and 226 metres high on river Ravi . The dam has its normal elevation 763  above mean sea level . It is a hydropower project in Chamba district .

Bharmaur :-  

Some time the capital of Chamba , before it is shifted to Chamba by King Shahil Verman was Brahmputra now  the present Bharmaur .

Bharmaur is sub division of district Chamba and is about 60 Km from Chamba . It is a very beautiful place and is on the way to Mani mahesh 

Bharmaur is also famous for its Chaurasi temples built by Rajas which are still as it is .

Mani mahesh Lake :-  

Mani mahesh Lake

The Mani mahesh Lake is the abode of Lord Shiva and lacs of pilgrims visit this place every year . It is at a distance of 14 km trek from Hadsar . Mani mahesh Lake is situated at an elevation of 4080 metres above mean sea level . 

View of Mani mahesh mountains

Some other important attractions are :- 

Sui Mata Temple :- 

This temple was built in the memory of Maharani Sui by Raja Shahil Verman his wife . Maharani had sacrificed her life for the people of her kingdom to overcome the scarcity of water.   After her sacrifice the water began to flow.

Every year a fair is held in the memory of Rani Sui .

Chamunda mata Temple Chamba :- 

The temple of Mata Chamunda Devi was built by Raja Umed Singh in 1762 and is located on Shah Madar hills opposite to the Chamba town . Every year pilgrims visit these temples to offer their prayers .

Minjar Fair :- 

The very famous Minjar Fair is held every year in Chauhan ground which is famous for culture and trade of Chamba .

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Chamba Part II

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh .

District Chamba Part II

Chamba is an ancient town founded by Raja Shahil Verman in 920 on the special request of his daughter Champa vati on the bank of river Ravi  in 10 th century and named after her name . The town Chamba is situated at an altitude of 1006 metres above mean sea level on the bank of river Ravi at a distance of about 333 Kms from State capital Shimla .

View of Laxmi Narayan Temple 

The Chamba district shares the boundaries with Kistwar and Doda districts of Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir in the North West , Ladakh Union Territory in the West  , Lahaul valley of district Lahaul Spiti in North East , Bara Banghal in East  , district Kangra in the South East and Pathankot of Punjab in the South .

Chamba Town 

District Chamba is located in sun Himalayan range of Mountains . It is located between the Dhauladhar and Zanskar mountain ranges . The Dhauladhar mountain range cuts off it from Kangra valley.  It also has Pir - Panjal  mountain range which is separating it from Kashmir and Lahaul . 

The mountainous ranges are the major factor responsible for its pleasant climate and flora and fauna  , which attracts the tourists to exhibit the peace of mountains.

The Major Crops :- 

The traditional agriculture crops in the region  are Maize , Wheat , paddy  etc . 

Cultivation of flowers 

Now the government has  implemented a Green Gold project in the district to improve the economic status of 8000 thousand families through diversification towards cultivation of cash Crops like   seasonal vegetables ,  Mashroom cultivation , cultivation of medicinal plants , aromatic plants  and cultivation of Flowers  with the provision of suitable market . This step has certainly raised the income of farmers .

Flower cultivation in poly house.

About 70 percent of the total population of the district  are  directly or indirectly connected with  agriculture , cultivating  oil seeds ,  cereals , peas , Rajma etc ,bee keeping  , the traditional agriculture  and rearing of cows , baffalo  , sheep and goats .

Fishing Activities :- 

Many people earn their livelihood from catching fish and selling in the market . The department of fishery is playing a excellent role in helping them . The office of the Fishery department is functioning at Sultanpur at Chamba .

The Important Places to Visit :- 

Few important places which are worth seeing in  Chamba are given as under :- 

Laxmi Narayan Temple :

It is the oldest temples in Shikhar style architecture having six idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva . The central one is carved in marble . Every day people offer their prayers in the temple . 

View of Laxmi Narayan Temple at Chamba Himachal 

Shree Hari Rai Temple at Chamba :- 

Shree Hari Rai Temple is built in 11th century and is built next to the gate of Chaugan ground . The temple is built in stone Masonry in Shikhar style architecture and it is established with Lord Vishnu idol having three faces human ,Lion and Boar made up of ashat dhatu ( 8 different materials )  . People offer their prayers to Lord Vishnu every day . The Lord Vishnu's main idol  is adorned with Mukat , kundal , finger rings , armlets and necklaces .

Shree Hari Rai Temple Chamba 

Champavati Temple :- 

Champavati Temple is situated in the centre of Chamba town near police post and Treasury building . 

The temple is built in Shikhar style architecture  with the blend of Nepal designs by Raja Shahil Verman in the memory of his beloved daughter Champa vati .

The temple premises has idol of Mahishasur Mardini Godess Durga, Vasuki Nag and Wazir . Thousands of pilgrims visit this holy place every day . During Navratri huge crowds can be experienced here .

Champavati Temple Chamba 

Chaugan  ," The City Centre of Chamba ." :-

Chaugan is a beautiful large ground in the heart of Chamba town . Chaugan means a plain areas in local Himachali language . Initially these were five Chaugans but in 1890 leveling was done and converted into a one big ground . It had been used as a cricket ground by the British at that time .

The Chaugan is a centre of many activities . It is about one Kilometre long and 75 metres wide grassy ground .  Sports activities are conducted in this ground ,state level and district level functions are also organised in this ground . Munger Festival is also held in this ground . Weekly market of Mahila Mandals and self help groups can be seen in this ground .

View of Chaugan 

Rang Mehal , The Himachal Imporium :-  

Raja Umed Singh had built this beautiful Rang Mehal during 1764-94 in Surara Mohalla in Mugal architecture . It is a five storied building having streets on its three sides East , West , North and on the fourth side the residences of Wazirs of the ruling family. In the middle there is an open ground was being used for various activities . 

Rang Mehal 

The Rang Mehal as the name explains was a Luxury palace at that time with all facilities .

When Raja Shri Singh shifted to  Akhand  Chandi Palace  the Rang Mehal was used as a residential building by servants and elderly woman .

Now the government is using this building for various offices and a centre of handicrafts  , handlooms .

The Rang Mehal was beautifully decorated with paintings having scenes from Ramayana , Durga Shapt-shati , Mahabharat and Shiv -Parvati  painted by Miyan Tara Singh and his assistants 

Now this historic building has been taken over by the government and is used as Himachal Emporium the centre of attraction for handicrafts .

Bhuri Singh Musium Chamba :-  

Bhuri Singh Musium is a historical monument which reveals history, art and culture of Chamba . It built by Raja Bhuri Singh in the year 1908 and inaugurated on 14 September 1908 by Raja Bhuri Singh. He donated all his collections of British Empire coins , Mughal Empire coins ,Arms  and paintings to the musium .

Bhuri Singh Musium Chamba 

The name of the musium is kept on the name of Raja Bhuri Singh  who ruled the state from 1904 to 1919 .

The Kangra and Basholi style arts can be seen in the musium . Sharda and Takri scripts are kept in the musium .  Tourists used to visit this historic Musium .

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Chamba Part -I

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh (India ) district Chamba Part - I

Mini Switzerland , Khajjiar 

Brief History of Chamba 

Before  15th April 1948 when Himachal Pradesh came into existence by merger of three major princely states Chamba , Mandi -Suket , Sirmaur and  other small princely states the Chamba was a princely state with its capital at Present Chamba .

When we look into the history of Chamba, we can divide it into two parts :- 

1. The period when Capital was at Brahmpura , The present Bharmaur.

2. The period when Capital shifted to Chamba , the present district headquarters .

Chamba the abode of lord shiva 

Chamba is the only state in North India which is having its documented history from crica 500 A.D.  

The Chamba district is nested in the majestic lap of Western Himalayas ,its geography has helped in preserving its centuries old relics and various inscriptions. The thousands years old temples which are the model of Hindu architecture built by Rajas  are still  continue to be worshipped .

The land deeds scripted and executed on copper plates are still  valid under law .

History Before 500 AD crica :-

The Period when The Capital was at Brahmpura, The Present Bharmaur :-  

It is believed that in the initial stages history, the Kolian tribes were inhabitants of this region and was being ruled by them , later they came under Khasas. But in 2 century BC the Khas had also lost their rule and came under the rule of Adumbra administration .

View of Bharmaur 

During the Gupta period in 4th century BC this state came under the  rule of Thakurs and Ranas , they had considered themselves superior to Khas and kolians .

In the seventh century with the rise of Gurjar Prtihars , the rule of this region came under Rajput  dynasty .

As per history of  Rajput  dynasty King Maru who had been migrated from Ayodhya and settled in Kalpagram shifted to Chamba region and discovered  Brahmputra in Budhal river valley for his capital which now a days called Bharmaur .

The predecessor of king  Maru rule from Brahmputra for about 300 years . 

The capital  remained at Brahmputra till King Shahil Verman shifted his capital during 920 to present Chamba on the special request of his daughter ,Champa vati  , the name of Town is named after her name .

View of Narsing temple at Chourasi temples at Bharmaur.

The Period After , The Capital Shifted to Chamba , The Present district Headquarters :- 

In the beginning of 10th century the 20th King after King Maru  ," King Shahil Verman came into power, and ruled  the Kingdom till  940 AD. "  King Shahil Verman on the special request of his beloved daughter Champa vati shifted the capital from Brahmputra  ( Bharmaur) to present Chamba a beautiful town established on the bank of river Ravi . At that time name of Town was kept Champavati  , later it became Chamba .

When King Shahil Verman came to power the kingdom was restricted to a small portion of land in Brahmputra  that is on only present day Bharmaur sub division .

The remaining area was under the rule of different  Rana's . These Rana's were always busy in fighting with each other . King Shahil Verman wisely brought these Rana's all together under his kingdom thus extended his territory . King Shahil Verman divided his territory into five Mandals , later these Mandals were later on converted into Vijarts. 

These Vijarts were 

These Vijarts were Bharmaur , Chamba , Bhatiyat   Churah and Pangi . These Vijarts now are  Tehsils of Chamba district . Raja Shahil Verman ruled the state till 940 AD. There after the kings of Shahil Verman dynasty ruled the state for about 1000 years without any out siders attacks .

The famous Raja who ruled the state were  Raja Yugakar  Verman , Vidagdha Verman  , Raja Dodaka Verman , Raja  Vichitra Verman  , Raja Dhariya Verman , Raja Salavahana Verman ,Raja Soma  Verman  , Raja Asata  Verman,Raja Jasata Verman , RajaDhala Verman , Raja Udayan Verman , Raja Anand Verman , Raja Ganesa Verman

From 1559 to 1586 Raja Pratap Singh Verman ruled the state ,  Raja Vir Bhanu remained king of Chamba from  1586 to 1589 .  From 1589 to 1641 Raja Balbhadra Verman was the Raja of Chamba . 

Raja Prithviraj Singh became the Raja of Chamba after the death of Raja Balbhadra Verman . The Raja Prithviraj Singh Verman was the son of Raja Balbhadra Verman . Raja Prithviraj Singh Verman ruled the Kingdom from 1641 1664. He was contemporary of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan , he used to visit Mugal Court  Delhi  and imported  Mugal art and culture in the state .

After the death of Raja Prithviraj Singh Verman his son Raja Chatter Singh came to power in 1664 and successfully ruled over the Kingdom from 1664 to 1694 .

Raja Chatter Singh was a visionary and powerful administrator ,  there is an instance that Mugal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered him to demolish all famous temples of Chamba  , Raja Chatter Singh instead of execution of his order  , decorated the  all the temples with golden work on pinnacles . On this he was summoned by Empror to present himself in Delhi Darbar  but in the time Empror Aurangzeb himself embroiled in a conflict in South and forgot about Chamba .  Empror Aurangzeb and Empror Akbar tried to  destroy and conquer Chamba but they  never Succeeded.

After the death of Raja Chatter. Singh  Raja Udai Singh became the Raja of Chamba and ruled the Kingdom from 1694 to 1720 . Then after Raja Udai Singh , Raja Ugar  Singh ruled the state from 1720 to 1735.

From 1735 to 1748 Raja Dalel Sigh ruled Chamba then  Raja Umed Singh became the Raja of Chamba from 1748 to 1764. Raja Raj Singh remained in power from 1764 to 1794 .

Raja Jit Singh who remained in power from 1794 to 1808 was a great worrier and led a successful expedition to Kishtwar in Kashmir and also conquered Basholi  but returned the territory when Raja of Basholi agreed to pay the war indemnity .

After the death of Raja Jit Singh his son Charhat Singh became Raja of Chamba in 1808 . Raja Charhat Singh ruled the Kingdom till 1844 . During this period the North West In india was unstable politically.

During this period Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab was leading an expedition to conquer the neighbouring states to extend his territory on the other hand Raja Sansar Chand Katoch  was trying to subjugate the  Gorkhas and to expand his empire. In such circumstances Chamba was forced to be side with Maharaja Ranjit Singh .

During 1809 Wazir Nathu Ram of Chamba helped Maharaja Ranjit Singh in negotiations with Raja Sansar Chand so that Maharaja Ranjit Singh could  take possession on Kangra Fort along with few villages .  Wazir Nathu Ram had also saved the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh by providing him a horse in Kashmir expedition . As a result of his loyalty , Maharaja Ranjit Singh never tried to conquer Chamba but in return he provided a protection by setting up a garrison there .

After the death of  Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839 the political situation again became unstable . In the year 1839 Raja Charhat Singh was blessed with a son  named Shri Singh .  When Raja Charhat Singh died in 1844 the Prince Shri Singh was only five years old .

Shri Singh became Raja of Chamba in the age of five years and in such circumstances the Wazir Bagha took the administration in his hand . Due to Anglo Sikh war the garrison provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh was withdrawn . The Sikh empire crumbled under British attack and in such circumstances at first it was decided that Chamba would be amalgamated with Jammu and Kashmir but with the intervention of Wazir Bagha  decision was withdrawn and Chamba became protectorate under British Empire , the Lahore treaty  in 1846 came into force . 

Thus Raja Shri Singh ruled the state from 1844 to 1870 , during this period many welfare measures were taken in the interest of public . In the year 1863 first post office was opened in Chamba and a hospital was constructed in 1866 . Road to Dalhousie and Khajjiar were also constructed . Raja Shri Singh had only one son who died in infancy .

 In such circumstances the younger brother of Raja Shri Singh  Gopal Singh was made the Raja of Chamba ,  he ruled the state from 1870 to 1873 .  In 1873 due to some internal problem he abdicated the thorne in favour of Sham Singh . When Raja Sham Singh taken over the power he was seven years old so till 10 th of November 1894 he had to function under Council of Regency .

Raja Sham Singh ruled the Kingdom from 1873 till 22nd January 1904 and on this day  his brother Bhuri Singh was made Raja of Chamba .  King Raja Sham Singh died in 1905 as he was continues in the conditions of illness .

Raja Sham Singh was a great visionary  he established various departments like  Judicial ,postal and public works. He also made school buildings , kotwali  and jail , post office  , hospitals and roads . For leprosy patients he made asylum .

View of Chaugan ground at Chamba .

Raja Sham Singh also undertaken  beautification program to beautify the town . He established parks and gardens , he also given re -layout  to the zig -zag constructed buildings .He was awarded gold medals  for the service of poor people from British . For his excellent work he was honoured in  Imperial Durbar in Delhi in 1877 and Coronation Durbar in 1903. Lord Curzon  was very much impressive with the work of Raja Sham Singh , as a result of that he specially visited Chamba in 1900 , Curzon Gate now renamed as Gandhi Gate is the reminder of the visit which was made in the welcome of Lord Curzon .

 Raja Sham Singh handed over the Kingdom to his brother Raja Bhuri Singh on 22 nd January 1904 thus he ruled the state till 22 nd September 1919 . Raja Bhuri Singh was having deep  interest in preserving art and culture of Chamba .  He was having a beautiful collection of art and culture and he had donated all his collections when Bhuri Singh Musium was established at Chamba .

After the death of Raja Bhuri Singh his eldest son Raja Ram Singh became Raja on 22 nd September 1919 and he ruled the state till  7th December 1935 .He was the second last Raja of Chamba .

Raja   Lakshman Singh the son of Raja Ram Singh  became Raja of Chamba on 7th December 1935 and ruled the state till 15 April 1948 and finally merged in Union of India and became a district of Himachal Pradesh .  Thus Raja Lakshman Singh was the Last Raja of this oldest Dynasty .

 

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Bilaspur Part III

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh

Bilaspur Outer Part III

In this part we will cover the places of Tourists importance out of district headquarters.

Markandeya :- 

Markandeya Temple 

This holy place is situated in Jukhala valley about 20 Km from Bilaspur Town .  A holy natural water spring is flowing from hill in which pilgrims used to take bath . The name of this place is kept Markand on the name of Markandeya Rishi . The road to Markand biffurcates from Ghagus Brahmpukhar highway near Gassor village .

According to Puranas ,it is said to that Mrikundu Rishi with his wife were residing at this place  but they had no  child thus Rishi Mrikundu pleased  Lord Shiva with his austerity .

Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked to express his wish. On this Rishi Mrikundu  prayed before Lord Shiva to bless him with a son . Lord Shiva said you will be blessed with a son but he will be shot lived , he will have the age of 12 years and disappeared . After this some time the wife of Rishi Mrikundu gave a birth to a son . 

The son of Rishi Mrikundu was growing day by day but the anxiety of Rishi Mrikundu was growing simultaneously about the short life of their child . One day some how their child came to know about his short life , then  on this 3 days before 12 years ,the child made a Shivling of sand and done the austerity of Lord Shiva  . On the day of completion of 12 years the death angels came but the child embraced the Shivalinga and Lord Shiva appeared from the Shivalinga and said to death angels to go back. 

This way the child blessed with long life with the austerity of Lord Shiva . This child  was Maharishi Markandeya who gave the divine Mantra to the world .

" Mahamrityunjay Mantra   "

This is a divine Mantra to overcome all difficulties like ailments , shot life  etc . Chanting of this Mantra in routine every day during worship certainly gives best wishes to all .

So from this miracle happened on the holy land of Markand , this beautiful place became a sacred place and since then a fair is celebrated here on Baishakhi every year .  The temples and holy water here are centre of faith.

So People from  different parts of state as well as country used to come to visit and take blessings of Lord Shiva and Maharishi Markandeya  throughout

 the year .

Shree Naina Devi ji Temple :-

Shree Naina Devi ji Temple 

The sacred temple of Shree Naina Devi ji is one of the 51  Shakti Peeths where the eyes of Adi Shakti Mata Sati , the consort of Lord Shiva fell on this spot.

View of the temple 

The Shree Naina Devi temple is situated on the top of a hill in Shivalik range of hills at Naina Devi  in district Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 1177 metres above mean sea level . 

The temple is about 65 Km from Bilaspur Town. It is well connected with roads . From Anandpur (Punjab) Shree Naina Devi ji is about 18 Km , from Swarghat on National Highway 21 it is about 25 Km  and from Nangal the distance of Shree Naina Devi is about 32 Km . 

Shree Naina Devi ji Temple 

Shree Naina Devi ji is easily accessible through Buses , private taxi and personal vehicles from Anandpur , Nangal ,Una and Bilaspur . 

There is a ropeway facilities by Ganpati Ropeway  from Ghawandal to temple  , the pilgrims also used to enjoy the same to reach near the temple .

The temple is under the control of Government , during Navratri the lacs of people from different parts of the country used to come to offer their prayers to Mata Shree Naina Devi ji ,who is the Incarnation of Maa Durga. 

The devotees of Maa Shree Naina Devi ji come to this holy Shakti Peeth throughout the year but specially during Shraavan ashtmi, Chetr and Ashwin Navratre huge crowds of devotees can be seen . 

Devotees at Temple 

 The Shree Naina Devi ji Temple is one of the most worshipped beautiful temple having  white marble cladding  which looks very appealing to the surrounding.  On the one side the temple overlooking Gurdawara Anandpur Shahib and on the other side the  Govind Sagar is a charm for tourists and pilgrims enjoy the journey by boat to Baba Balak Nath temple at Shahtalai and Deot Sidh .

Baba Balak Nath templesbat Shah Talai  :-

The  holy place where Baba Balak Nath  had done austerity of Lord Shiva during grazing of cows of Mata Ratno  and  done various miracles is Shah Talai which is in district Bilaspur , 4 Km from Deot Sidh which falls in the jurisdiction of district Hamipr ,the main temple of Baba Balak Nath ji .

View of  Baba Balak Nath austerity Place Shah Talai 

Shah Talai is a small town where Baba Balak Nath   as a child had been grazing  the cows of Mata Ratno and simultaneously doing meditation , when  Balak Nath was doing meditation , the cows destroyed and grazed the fields of wheat  on this the land lord got angry with Mata Ratno then Mata Ratno said to Baba Balak Nath , "I had been offering Roti and Lassi to you since 12 years and you got done the loss of harvest ."

On this  Baba Balak Nath pointed out towards cavity in  the Banyan tree where Baba had been doing meditation and a pond below the tree and said ," Oh Mother take back your Roties and Lassi which you had been offering to me since 12 years and now I am going . "  Then Baba Balak Nath flew away on riding a peacock and entered in a cave at Deot Sidh, where the temple of Baba Balak Nath is existing today .

Baba Balak Nath had also done meditation at Garna Jhari just 400 metres from Banyan tree , here is also a temple .

Garna Jhari Temple at Shah Talai district Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh 

Devotees of Baba Balak Nath from Punjab , Himachal , Rajasthan Delhi and abroad used come  for taking blessings of Baba during one month long fair in Chetra Month ( from 13 th of March to 14 April ) every year .

It has been the truth that Baba fulfill the wishes of his devotees . Great crowd of devotees can be seen on every Sunday and during fair in both Shah Talai and Deot Sidh temples . 

The holy place Shah Talai is well connected with roads all around with Hamirpur , Bilaspur and Una . It is about 60 Km from Una , 50 Km from Bilaspur and 47 Km from Hamirpur .

Lord Shiva temple and Shiv Bowali at Bachhretu  :-

Just about 3 km from Shah Talai there another ancient Lord Shiva temple at Bachhretu  which also a centre of pilgrimage. In front of the temple there is a water body which is as holy as Ganga water . The people used to take bath from this holy water . Lacs of people used to visit this beautiful temple to pay their worships and to blessings of Lord Shiva . Those who comes to Baba Balak Nath they also visit this place. 

The Bachhretu fort which was constructed during  14 th century by Raja Ratan Chand of Bilaspur is also very near to the Lord Shiva temple .

Gugga Temple Gehrwin :-

Gugga Temple at Gehrwin is one another elegant shrine which is dedicated to folk deity Gugga Jahar peer.

Gugga Jahar peer is a centre of devotion and honour as Gugga Rana has fought many battles . Gogga Rana was born in Bikrmi 1003 in Churu district of Rajasthan in Duttkhera village ina reputed Rajput family  .  Gugga was a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath .

Gugga is a Rajasthani Devta but mostly worshipped in Himachal Pradesh also .

In rainy season the legendary tales known as Jhera of Gugga are recited by Gugga Mandli house to house from Raksha Bandhan to Gugga Navmi . It is a deep belief that Lord Gugga protects his devotees from snake bites .

Gugga Gehrwin is about 36 Km from Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh .

Some Important temples in Bilaspur district :-

Badoli Devi temple : -

Badoli Devi temple is situated on Gehrwin Thurahan road about 4.5 Km from Gehrwin on a hill in Badol Village .

It is temple of Maa Durga built by  Younger Queen of Bilaspur . People visit  to take blessings of Maa Durga from various parts of the district throughout the year . Badol is a very beautiful place .

Rukmani Kund :- 

The another sacred place Rukmani Kund , the holy water is situated about 6.5 Km from Gehrwin on Gehrwin Slashi Rukmani Kund road in Shivalik hill range .

 It is about 27 Km from Bilaspur and 3 Km from Auhar  on Auhar  Gehrwin road .A fair is held here on Baishakhi festival every year .

Nersha Devi Temple :- 

It is also one of the oldest temples in Bilaspur district situated between Samoh and Gehrwin  in village Nersha . A link road to village Nersha connects the temple .

It a  temple of Bhagwati Durga constructed by Raja Kalayan Chand , at that time between 1600 to 1636  the capital of Bilaspur was at Sunahni village near Berthin  on the bank of Seer Khad. 

The is about 550 years old .  The temple is on  Shivalik hill on Baroha village .

Thakurdwara  At Jhandutta :- 

It also a beautiful temple near Block Development Office Jhandutta . The people of surrounding areas take blessings and have  deep religious  faith .

Temple of Modern India

Bhakhara Dam & Govind Sagar Lake :- 

The highest gravity Dam in the world 226 metres high is located in Bhakhara village of district Bilaspur on river Satluj .

View of Bhakhara Dam 

The dam is founded by our  beloved first Prime Minister of India and also dedicated to the nation by him on 20 th November 1963 who described it as ," New Temple of Resurgent India."

Govind Sagar Lake 

The dam resulted a 90 Km long Govind Sagar Lake over 168 square Kilometres . The Lake is providing hydro power generation , fishing Activities and irrigation water to Punjab and Rajasthan . It  has a huge Tourism potential .

Kandrour Bridge :-  

The Kandrour Bridge is located on Bilaspur Hamirpur National Highway just  at a distance of 9 Km from Bilaspur over river Satluj near Kandrour village .

View of Kandrour Bridge 

It was constructed by Gamon India private limited under the control of Himachal Pradesh Public works Department . It was once highest bridge in Asia of this type at a height of 80 metres . It is still highest in Asia of this type and also highest in the world .