Bilaspur TourismBilaspur is a hill town near Shimla, famous for its forts and Gobind Sagar lake, a man-made reservoir considered the lifeline of the district.
Bilaspur, India's first planned hill station, is popularly known for its artificially made lake which is called the Gobind Sagar Lake on Sutlej River. It is a beautiful lake where one can rejuvenate and participate in water sports and fishing. Also, this lake provides water to the very famous Bhakra Nangal
Dam. Bhakra Dam is the highest dam in India and it is also the highest straight gravity dam in the entire world. This dam located in Bilaspur, on the foothills of the Himalayas, offers spectacular views of the Gobind Sagar Lake. Apart from this, the road bridge on the Gobind Sagar Lake at Kandraur is highest of its kind in Asia
The unparalleled scenic view of rolling hills and plains overlooking the azure blue tint of the man-made reservoir of the Gobind Sagar lake is an alluring vista to gaze upon. The gigantic reservoir is formed on the Sutlej river by the Bhakra Dam, one of the highest gravity dams in the world. Built in 1963, The Bhakra dam stands as an iconic marvel of dam engineering. The multipurpose dam has given birth to a mighty artificial lake that encompasses an area of 170 square kilometres and is 90 kilometres long. Owing to its location and proximity to the Himalayan ranges, the lake is surrounded by lush greenery and an aura of tranquillity at every turn.
Gobind Sagar Lake is renowned for being the third largest reservoir in the country which stands as a lifeline to Himachal Pradesh and several other North Indian states such as Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, providing millions of cubic tonnes of water for irrigation to over 10 million acres of fields across these regions. The enormous lake is named after Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of the Sikhs. There is a sense of repose and calmness that Gobind Sagar lake welcomes you with. The views of the artificial lake from the lofty dam or the elevated areas around are enchanting and worth a visit. Famous for recreational activities such as water sports and picnicking and obviously the scenic beauty, large number of tourists frequent the vast water reservoir for a jaunt. There are hardly any reasons for you not to stop by!
2.Paragliding,BandlaBilaspur (HP) Overview
For those interested in Paragliding, Bilaspur should feature somewhere near the top of the list with the area being naturally blessed for the adventure sport.
Bilaspur, unlike most popular paragliding sites can offer an amazing 8 hours of flight as well as an ideal landing ground with a lake beside it. Bandla hills are also a popular spot for paragliding
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3.Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Bilaspur (HP) Overview
Laxmi Narayan Mandir is a marvellous temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and her consort Lord Vishnu and is located in the district of Bilaspur. The temple is of immense religious importance for the devotees of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi who visit the temple often to offer their prayers and seek blessings from the deities. The beautiful temple has been constructed according to the Shikhara Shaily type of architecture and draws architecture buffs from all parts of the world. Located in the scenic region of Bilaspur, the pristine white temple has a divine vibe that will ease troubled visitors in an instant. The temple is located very close the Bilaspur Bus stand and is a well-maintained shrine.
The stately temple has beautiful idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi while areas of the temple also have stunning idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Lord Ranganath and Baba Bangali. The Laxmi Narayan Mandir was initially located in the region where now stands the Bhakra Nangal Dam. That structure got submerged in the reservoir which is also known as Gobind Sagar Lake. The idol of Lord Ranganath was initially installed in a temple in old Bilaspur. After the town underwent modernization, the idol was re-installed in the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. The temple is a pleasant relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. Many sit and chant Lakshmi and Vishnu Mantras as a daily part of their prayers. Devotees believe the deities are extremely powerful and any prayer made with a clean heart is always answered.
4.Bahadurpur Fort, Bilaspur (HP) Overview
Bahadurpur Fort was once a majestic fort located in the district of Bilaspur. What remains today are the ruins which are unidentifiable, but the location is still known as Bahadurpur Fort. The fort was perched on the Bahadurpur Hill at the height of 6200 feet near a village named Tepra which is at a distance of 40 kilometres from the town of Bilaspur. The site is often visited by tourists exploring Bilaspur because of its picturesque beauty. Since the fort no longer exists, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department has proposed building a guest house and develop the area with the intention of promoting tourism in Himachal Pradesh. The plan will include several facilities, adventure and recreational activities.
The hill it is located on - Bahadurpur Hill was named so after the fort was erected by King Keshab Chand in 1620 AD. The surroundings include dense natural vegetation including Ban and Deodar trees. The rest house is located amidst the natural landscape, and that makes Bahadurpur Fort a perfect attraction those who wish to escape the stressful city lifestyle. Due to its proximity to the town, it is often also considered a beautiful picnic destination. The region also receives snowfall occasionally during winters during which the hilltop and the peaks surrounding the fort are covered with a layer of pristine white snow.
5.Markandeya Rishi Temple, Bilaspur (HP) Overview
Markandeya Ji Temple is a place of worship dedicated to Markandeya Rishi located at a distance of 20 kilometres from Bilaspur. Devotees of Rishi Markandeya often visit the temple to offer their prayers. It is a temple of high religious importance, but the beauty of the shrine also attracts tourists from all over the world. The deity is considered to be extremely powerful and its spiritual vibe, profoundly soothing. Many visit the temple and only sit in silence or meditate to calm their minds. The tranquil atmosphere helps relieve visitors of their worries, anxieties and find a direction in life just by quieting the restless mind.
The Rishi Markandeya Temple has a spring nearby which is considered to be holy as it is said to have medicinal properties. The idol of the deity is a unique feature of the temple. Devotees also believe Rishi Markandeya can cure them of many physical and medical ailments. Many childless couples visit the temple to offer their prayers to Rishi Markandeya in the hopes of having a child. A dip in the holy spring is also said to cure infertility along with many other diseases. Many are awestruck by the local stories about ailments and cure. Whether it is a miracle or pure science is something left for each visitor to decide but a visit to the Markandeya Ji Temple is a must while exploring Bilaspur.
6.Koldam Dam, Bilaspur (HP) Overview
Koldam Dam is built on River Satluj and located about 18 kilometres from Bilaspur. It is one of the most famous attractions near Bilaspur and majorly draws engineering buffs because of the massive engineering marvel it is. The dam is surrounded by natural landscape and is often preferred by picnickers for a quick escape in the region. A top view of the massive dam is a breathtaking a sight, and a trip to the serene reservoir of the Koldam Dam underneath the clear blue skies is a sight to remember. The abundance of natural beauty of the location and the massive engineering marvel must be explored.
The Koldam Dam was built to generate hydroelectric power by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The foundation stone of the dam was laid in June 2000 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India. However, due to habitat and environment issues, the complete construction of the dam took about 15 years, and as it stands tall and robust today, the Koldam Dam is a perfect example of innovation and perseverance in India. It is incredible how the team consistently worked on the project and didn't leave it halfway after a couple of options failed. Parents often get their kids to teach them this valuable lesson of life while many visit the dam to learn from its history. A great miracle in itself, the Koldam dam shouldn't be missed.
7.Kandraur Bridge, Bilaspur (HP) Overview
This bridge on the Sutlej was once the highest bridge in Asia and at a height of 80 meters, is still one of the highest in the world.
The bridge is surrounded by limestone rocks and the river below is in maximum verve during the summers, due to the water from the melting of Himalayan glaciers.
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