Beautiful Bilaspur set on the banks of Gobind Sagar Lake is about 90 kms. from Shimla on the Chandigarh – Manali national highway. The old Bilaspur town now submerged under the waters of Gobind Sagar was the seat of the rulers of the princely state of Bilaspur. The new Bilaspur township is perhaps the first planned hill town of the country. The beauty of Bilaspur is enhanced by the cool and enchanting eaters of the mighty Gobind Sagar Lake. Bilaspur is also known for the Nalwari or annual cattle fair, which is held in March/April. During this time cattle ate brought here from Nalagarh and neighbouring areas in Punjab. The visitors are entertained with wrestling and other amusement activities.>
Vyas Gufa:
It is believed that the legendary saint Vyas Rishi of Mahabharata fame, meditated here. The sacred spot on the left bank of river Satluj is a place of pilgrimage. Legends link the origin of Vyaspur town with this cave.
Laxmi Narayan Mandir:
The shrine is built in ‘Shikhar’ style. It has idols of Laxmi Narayan, Shiva, Rangnath, Durga and Baba Bangali. There is also the idol of Shankeshwar brought from the old town. Special celebrations are held here on the occasion of Janmashtami and Shivaratri.
Around Bilaspur
Bhadurpur Fort (40kms)::
The ruins of this historic fort are perched atop the highest peak of the district near Tepra village. The beautiful hill full of deodar and ban trees affords picturesque view of the Ratanpur Fort, Swarghat, the Fatehpur Fort, the Naina Devi hill, plains near Ropar and the mountains of Shimla.
Deoli (13kms):
Asia’s biggest mirror carp hatchery.
Gugga Gehrwin (36 kms):
An elegant shrine dedicated to folk deity Gugga is a centre of special devotion the honour. During rainy season, the legendary tables of Gugga are recited from Raksha Bandhan to Gugga Navami. It is believed that Lord Gugga protects his devotees from snakes.
Kandror Bridge (22 kms):
The bridge over river Saltej rises to a height of 80 metres and is perhaps one of the highest bridges of the world.
Markandeya (20 kms):
This legendary Shrine is believed to be the place where sage Markandeya is also worshipped as savour god of kids and dip in the sacred water of the spring here is said to cure sterility and infant diseases. Legends suggests that a tunnel connected Markandeya and Vyas caves and the two saints used to meet each other through a subterranean path. A night long fair is held here annually on the ‘Baisakhi’.
Bhakra-Govind Dagar :
The gigantic Bhakra dam rising to a height of 226 meters is one of the highest straight gravity dams in the world. It is located at Bhakra village, where river Sutlej enters a narrow gorge. The dam was dedicated to the nation by Jawahar Lal Nehru on November 20th, 1963, who described it as a ‘New Temple of Resurgent India’. The magnitude of the enormous project and the engineering skill is to be seen to believe. The 90 kms. long Gobind Sagar reservoir sprawls over an area of about 168 sq kms. witch 90 percent is in Uma district. It enhances the scenic beauty of the region is a big tourist attraction.
Naina Devi Ji Temple:
The sacred shrine of Naina Devi is 57 kms. from Bilaspur and is one of the most important Hindu pilgrim centres of the state. The temple nestles atop a 915 metre high hill overlooking the sacred town of Anandpur Sahib in Punjab on one side and Gobind Sagar lake on the on other side. It was built by Raja Bir Chand in the eighth century and is considered to be one of the 51 ‘Shakti Peeths’. According to mythological legends the eye of Sati, the consort of Shiva fell here. The temple can be reached by a cable car. An annual fair generally held in August attracts a large number of devotees from northern India.
Sariun Fort:
The fort on the peak of Sariun is about 58 kms. from Bilaspur. It is said to be originally built by a Raja of the erstwhile Suket state and later came under the rulers of Bilaspur. The local folk are superstitious about the fort and stones which were once part of the fort are not used in any residential building.
Shahtalai:
The sacred site 55 kms. Bilaspur is just 4 kms. from ‘Deoth Sidh’, the famous shrine of Baba Balak Nath ji in Hamirpur district. Shahtalai is associated with legends of Baba Balak Nath ji, a great Shiva devotee. Every year in Chaitra (March-April) fairs are held through out the month.
Swarghat:
It is 40 kms. from Bilaspur on the Bilaspur-Chandigarh road and was once the summer capital of Raja of Bilaspur. The famous Naina Devi temple and Bhakra Dam can be reached from here. The temple of Lakshmi Narayan here is worth visiting.
Tiun Fort:
The relics of the fort atop a hill are 55 kms. from Bilaspur and 10 kms. from Ghumarwin. It is a testimonial to the turbulent past of the region.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: The nearest airport is at Jubbarahatti (Shimla).
By Rail: The nearest broad gauge railway station is at Kiratpur Sahib (60 kms.) and nearest marrow gauge railway station is at Shimla.
By Road: Well connected by road.
