Bathu Ki Ladi Temples

Bathu Ki Ladi is a cluster of ancient Hindu temples located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, near Jawali town and close to the Pong Dam reservoir. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, with other shrines in the complex. These temples are submerged underwater for approximately eight months each year in Maharana Pratap Sagar and become accessible only when water levels recede during summer months.

Visitors can see a cluster of ancient stone temples emerging from the exposed lakebed of Pong Dam reservoir during low-water months. The temples feature traditional Nagara-style architecture with carved stone structures that have endured repeated submergence. The setting is an open reservoir landscape with minimal facilities, requiring visitors to traverse uneven terrain or take boat rides depending on water levels. The site offers unique photography opportunities and a rare view of temples appearing from water.

Local folklore attributes the temples' construction to the Pandavas during their exile, who allegedly attempted to build a stairway to heaven but abandoned the project midway. Historical records suggest the temples may have been built in the 8th century AD by the Hindu Shahi dynasty. The temples were submerged in the early 1970s following the creation of Pong Dam and Maharana Pratap Sagar reservoir.

The temples hold religious significance as a Hindu sacred site dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The name Bathu Ki Ladi means chain of Bathu temples, referring to their arrangement. The site represents a unique intersection of heritage and modern water infrastructure, serving as a visible reminder of landscape transformation due to dam construction.