The Alternate Himachal Pradesh

When we talk of Himachal Pradesh, we think of places like Shimla, Manali, Spiti etc. However there are certain parts of Himachal Pradesh, which are no less than Manali, Kullu or Shimla in terms of natural beauty, places of interest and availability of activities to indulge. In todays blog we will cover few such places that are not so popular but do offer an excellent alternate vacation options for travelers.

Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur

As the Himalayas rise on the western borders of Himachal Pradesh from the plains of Punjab, the first low lying Shivalik ranges are forms where pine forests grow in harmony with many other broad leave forests. The topography and the climate slowly transforms from the plains to that of rising hills. These lands of una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur have warm summers and pleasant winters. Religion, predominantly the Shakti devi cult, plays an important part in the lives of the populace. There are many famous temples here which attract millions of pilgrims each year. For the avid traveler, it is a different strain of a beautiful region that has large manmade lakes, rich forests and is replete with a vibrant history.

Una

On the border with Punjab, Una ia s gatway to Himachal Pradesh. Within the state it has borders with Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur. The region is a mix of both plain and hilly area. Guru Arjun Dev, the 5^th Guru of the Sikhs, did name the place ‘Unna’ which means progress. The word is derived from “Unaati” and recognizes the progress that the hard working people have made.

Una town is the district headquarter and can be easily reached from Kangra, Hamirpur, Chandigarh, Hoshiarpur or Pathankot.

Places to see in Una District

01. Chintpurni

A shaktipeeth of much religious significance, Chintpurni is a major pilgrimage center that attracts lakhs of people each year. A shaktipeeth considers female divinity as the source of all cosmic energy and shaktipeeth temples span the length of the Himalyas from Kashmir to Assam.

Hindu religious literature tells about a grieving Lord Shiva performing the death dance Tandava by carrying the dead body of Sati, his wifr, who has met a tragic end. Symbolic of the cosmic cycle of destruction – creation – preservation, the dead body is dismembered in the consummative dance and body parts fell across 51 places in the Himalayas, wherever they landed, a shaktipeeth was born. At Chintpurni is where the feet fell, so is the belief.

A gold plated shrine, at the center of the temple complex, is an impressive monument.

• Getting there: Chintpurni is 175 km from Chandigarh, 65 km from Kangra and 55 km from Una. The nearest train station is at Una and the closest airport is at Kangra.

02. Shiva temple, Ambota

The shivbadi at Ambota village traces a history stretching to over 5000 years. This old Shiva temple is considered to be the Gurukul school of Acharya Drona where he imparted education to Kaurav and Pandav princes, who later grew up to fight the Mahabharat, narrated in the famous Hindu epic.

The temple is surrounded by cremation grounds and there is no place to stay here. People are expected to pay obeisance and leave.

• Getting there: Ambota is 38 km from Una and 30 km from Chintpurni.

03. Solah Singhi Dhar

A relatively unexplored and untouched marvel, the Solah Singhi Dhar also known as the Jaswan Dhar was the outpost of the Katoch dynasty of Kangra. Hidden high in the hills are two forts that were built berween the 11^th and 13^th century. Even as ruins they are magnificent structure.

To reach the forts one has to trek over a rocky trail. En-route there is small temple and a well that has clean water. One must trek to the place in daytime as leopards have been sighted taking refuge in the ruins.

• Getting there: Bangana village is 26 km from Una. The fort can only be reached on foot from Bangana.
• Places to stay: There are private hotel accommodation facilities available at Una from where it is easy to reach Solah Singhi Dhar.

Hamirpur

History of Hamirpur is linked with that of the Katoch dynasty of Kangra, of which it was a part. Raja Hamir Chand, a Katoch ruler from 1700 to 1740 AD built a fort at Hamirpur which has laid the foundation of the modern town. Later Raja Sansar Chand Katoch (1775 to 1823 AD) made Sujanpur Tihra his capital. The area was later overrun by the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh and in 1846, on losing the first Anglo – Sikhs war, the territory was merged with the British empire. Hamirpur remained a part of Punjab till it was merged with Himachal Pradesh in 1966. To give the region separate identity, it was carved out as a separate district from Kangra on 1^st September, 1972.

Hamirpur town is the district headquarter and can easily be reached from Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, Shimla and Chandigarh.

Places to see in Hamirpur District

Baba Balak Nath Temple, Deot Sidh

The cave shrine of Baba Balak Nath on a hill side at Deot Sidh is an important pilgrimage center where lakhs of devotees visit each year, especially in March. The place symbolizes ‘light of truth’ and the believers have kept a sacred flame alive ever since the boy sage lit it here, about 500 years ago. For thanksgiving, devotees offer Rota, s sweetened bread, at the altar. Women are not allowed inside the sanctum and pray from a specially constructed platform.

• Getting there: Deot Sidh is connected by road. It is 60 km from Bilaspur, 44 km from Hamirpur, 64 km from Una and 185 km from Chandigarh.
• Places to stay: There are private hotel & Guest house accommodation facilities available at Deot Sidh and at Shah Talai.

Gasota Mahadev temple

Near Hamirpur, this Shiva temple is about 500 years old. A farmer plowing his field is said to have stumbled on a large stone that turned out to be a Shiva Lingam. A temple came up at the spot as the Ligam was too big to be moved. Standing amidst rivulets on both side adds to the beauty of the temples site. Every year in may a fair is held here, where trading in cattle is done. Devotees visit the place round the year.

• Getting there: The Gasota Mahadev temple is on the Hamirpur – Jahoo road, only 8 km from Hamirpur.

Sujanpur Tihra

Built on the bank of beas river, Sujanpur Tirha was founded by Katoch Kings of Kangra. Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch turned it into his capital in the early 19^th century. Under royal patronage palaces and temples were built and the famous Kangra school of miniature paintings here turned into an artistic school of excellence. Important monuments at Sujanpur are the hill top remains of a palace, the temples of Narbadeshwar, Vyaseshwar, Gauri Shankar, Murli Manohar and the Krishna temple. The tomb of Nawab Ghulam Mohammad is a testimony of the times gone by.

• Getting there: Sujanpur is connected by road. It is only 25 kms from Hamirpur.

Nadaun

Overlooking the beas river, Nadaun is a scenic place that tha Katoch Kings of Kangra used for a summer retreat. A saying ‘Aaye Nadaun, Jaaye Kaun’ meaning ‘who comes to Nadaun, does not go back’ is attributed to Bulleh Shah (1680 – 1757 AD), a sufi poet.

In the 17^th century at the battle of Nadaun, Guru Gobind Singh, the last Guru of the Sikh’s, with the help of other hills Kings defeated the Mughal general Alif Khan. To honour the event, Maharaja Ranjit Singh later had a Gurudwara built at the place where the Guru had pitched his tent. It has become a pilgrimage center.

There are remnants of a fort on a hilltop that was built by the Katoch rulers. An old Shiva temple attracts a lot of daily devotees and pilgrims from many places. A boat ride along the river beas and the view from a bridge built across it, with a number of eateries alongside make it a pleasant setting for an outing.

• Getting there: Nadaun can be reached by road. It is 28 km from Hamirpur, 30 km from Sujanpur, 194 km from Chandigarh and 171 km from Shimla. The nearest train station is at Jawalamukhi road and the closest airport is at Kangra.
• Places to stay: There are private hotels and guest house facilities in Sujanpur, Nadaun and Shatalai near Deot Sidh. Himachal Tourism operates ‘Hotel Hamir’ a deluxe hotel at Hamirpur from where these places can be easily reached.

Bilaspur

Bilaspur was a princely state before its merge with the Indian union took place after independence in 1948. Later it was merged with Himachal Pradesh in 1954 and become a district. Founded in the 7^th century, the ruling dynasty traces their origins to Chandel Rajputs of Madhya Pradesh. Whereas the old Bilaspur was submerged into the Bhakra Dam waters, the new town has only come up after 1963. Bilaspur town is the district headquarter and can easily be reached from Hamirpur, Una, Shimla and Chandigarh.

Places to visit in Bilaspur District

Naina Devi

Perched on a hilltop on the borders with Punjab, Naina Devi is an important Shaktipeeth pilgrimage center that lakhs of people visit every year. Believers hold that as the dead body of Sati dismembered during an all consuming cosmic Tandav dance of lord Shiva, it was the eyes that fell at Naina Devi, giving the place its name. It was Raja Bir Chand of Bilaspur who built the temple in the 8^th century. The temple affords a beautiful view of Bhakra Dam, Anandpur Sahib and Gobind Sagar. Pilgrims throng the temple for the Navratri fairs in March – April and July – August, with the latter one drawing larger crowds.

• Getting there: Naina Devi can be reached by road. It is 65 km from Bilaspur, 34 km from Kiratpur Sahib, 20 km from Anandpur Sahib, 151 km from Shimla and 107 km from Chandigarh.

Gobind Sagar

A majestic expanse of emerald waters stretching for kilometers into a distant sight, tamed by a giant wall and surrounded by lush green mountains, the Gobind Sagar lake is one of the largest manmade lakes of India. The water body is spread over Bilaspur and Una district and is 56 kms in length and 3 km at its widest. Named after the 10^th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, it was daming of river Satluj at Bhakra in 1963 that created this lake. The old Bilaspur town got submerged but when the lakes water levels in winters fall, some shikara’s of the old stone temple do resurface as a relic and reminder from the past.

A variety of fish such as the Mahaseer, Carp Catla, Mrigal and Rohu are found in the lake that makes it a heaven for recreational fishing. Fishing season is open in March – April and October – November.

• Getting there: Bilaspur can be reached by road. It is 88 km from Shimla, 135 km from Chandigarh and 360 km from Delhi. The nearest train station is Kiratpur Sahib, 65 kms away. The closest airports are at Chandigarh and Shimla.
• Places to stay: On the bank of Gobind Sagar, Himachal Tourism runs ‘Lake view hotel’ which provides for a comfortable stay. Plenty hotel accommodation is available in Bilaspur.