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{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Bathu Temples
| native_name = बाथू की लड़ी
| native_name_lang = hi
| image = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Bathu Shivalaya 8.jpg
| photo2a = Bathu Shivalaya 9.jpg
| photo3a = Bathu Shivalaya 5.jpg
| spacing = 1
| color_border = white
| color = white
| size = 250
| foot_montage = Clockwise from top right: Temples from [[Maharana Pratap Sagar]], ''Nagara'' styled architecture, Temples with [[Himalayas]] in the background.}}
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Himachal Pradesh
| map_caption = Location in Himachal Pradesh
| coordinates = {{coord|32.047235|76.003648|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = {{flagicon|IND}} [[India]]
| state = [[Himachal Pradesh]]
| district = [[Kangra District|Kangra]]
| location = [[Maharana Pratap Sagar]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Shiva]], [[Parvati]], [[Hindu deities|others]]
| primary_deity_Godess =
| utsava_deity_God =
| utsava_deity_Godess=
| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| Poets =
| Prathyaksham =
| festivals =
| architecture = [[Nagara architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| established =
| creator = [[Pandavas]]
| website =
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
'''Bathu temples''' (बाथू मंदिर), known locally as ''Bathu ki ladi'' (बाथू की लड़ी), is a cluster of temples in the [[Kangra district]] of [[Indian Republic|Indian]] state of [[Himachal Pradesh]], with the main temple dedicated to goddess [[Parvati]] and [[Lord Shiva]]. These temples were submerged in [[Maharana Pratap Sagar]], a reservoir created by [[Pong Dam|Pong dam]] in the early 1970s. Since then, these temples are only accessible from May to June when the water level decreases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Tribune News |title=Bathu temples' tourism potential untapped |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/bathu-temples-tourism-potential-untapped-344438 |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
Per the local folklore legends, the Bathu cluster of temples were built by the [[Pandava|Pandavas]] when they were travelling through the area during their period of exile. The Pandavas attempted to build a staircase to connect with the [[Masrur Temples|Masrur rock temples]] in one night but the construction was abandoned midway. The half-constructed stairway consisting of forty stairs can still be seen there and it is accessible to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=साल के 8 महीने पानी में डूबा रहता है यह अनोखा मंदिर,यहां से दिखती हैं स्‍वर्ग की ओर जाने वाली सीढ़ियां |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/travel/religious-trip/bathu-ki-ladi-kangra-himachal-pradesh/articleshow/95071980.cms?story=5 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}</ref>

It is believed that the Pandavas had built eleven temples, out of which two were destroyed with time and nine remains.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Bathu Ki Ladi Temple: साल के 8 महीने पानी में डूबा रहता है ये मंदिर, यहां मौजूद हैं स्वर्ग की सीढ़ियां! |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/bathu-ki-ladi-temple-is-situated-in-middle-of-pong-dam-in-kangra-district-of-himachal/1186150 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Zee News |language=hi}}</ref> Parallel historical records suggest that the temples were built in 8th century AD by the [[Hindu Shahis|Hindu Shahi dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bathu temples tourism potential untapped |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/bathu-temples-tourism-potential-untapped-344438/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref> The central temple is considered to be dedicated to [[Lord Shiva]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Srivastava |first=Priya |title=Heard of Bathu ki Ladi, a unique temple in Himachal? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/heard-of-bathu-ki-ladi-a-unique-temple-in-himachal/articleshow/65150807.cms |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Times of India Travel |language=en}}</ref> while some believe it is dedicated to [[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-03 |title=अजब-गजब: 8 महीने पानी में रहता है मंदिर, मौजूद हैं स्वर्ग की 40 सीढ़ियां - mobile |url=https://m.punjabkesari.in/dharm/news/bathu-ki-ladi-temple-1449638 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=punjabkesari}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
The Bathu temples are built in the Nagara style architecture, which is common in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The temples are built with ''bathu'' stones; despite being submerged for 8 months every year, there has been minimal damage to the temples. The stones bear the iconography of goddess Kali and lord Ganesha, and there is lord Vishnu reclining on [[Shesha|Sheshnag]] inside the temple.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Little-Known Facts About Unexplored Bathu Ki Ladi Temples In Himachal |url=https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/little-known-facts-about-unexplored-bathu-ki-ladi-temples-in-himachal-7460047.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> No priests are available at the temples; devotees worship on their own.<ref name=":1" />

There are several small villages near the temple site, which includes Guglara, Sugnara, Harsar, Jarot, Bajera, Katnor, Khabal, Ludret, and Bhial.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bathu Temple |url=https://kamahidevi.com/nearest-historical-place/bathu-temple/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Kamahi Devi |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Preservation ==
When the area was acquired in the 1970s for the creation of the Pong dam reservoir, the then government had committed to build a new temple structure at Bainan Attarian and relocate the temple idols. However, this has not yet happened. Conservationists have been trying to protect the Bathu temples. In 2022, the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) was contacted by the [[Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage]] (INTACH) with the request to relocate the ancient Bathu temples.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preserve, relocate Bathu ki Lari temples of Kangra, ASI urged |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/preserve-relocate-bathu-ki-lari-temples-of-kangra-asi-urged-386717/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bathu temples tourism potential untapped |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/bathu-temples-tourism-potential-untapped-344438/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

== Travel ==
The Bathu temples are accessible between March and June only. It is situated around 3 kilometers from [[Dhameta]] village and [[Nagrota surian|Nagrota Surian]] and accessible by road from [[Jawali, Himachal Pradesh|Jawali]] and by boat too. The nearest airport is the [[Kangra Airport|Gaggal Airport]] and Dhameta village can be reached by private taxi. Near the temple, there is an island-like structure known as Rensar. There is a guesthouse managed by the forest department.<ref name=":0" />

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Bathu Shivalaya 1.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 2.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 3.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 4.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 6.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 7.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 10.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 11.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 12.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 13.jpg
Bathu Shivalaya 14.jpg
Bathu ki ladi.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commonscat}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kangra district]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Himachal Pradesh]]

Bathu Temples - Revision history

Teamaksharhospital at 15:59, 11 March 2026