Places of religious interest
Markanda:
- It is situated at a distance of 19 kms. from Bilaspur.
- It is believed that this place and Vyas Guffa at Bilaspur were once linked by an underground passage and Maharishi Vyas and Maharishi Markandey could contact each other through this passage.
- At present there is no trace of this passage.
- There is a natural spring and married couples come to have a dip in the sacred water which is believed to cure certain infant disease and sterility is changed into fertility.
Shri Naina Devi:
- Shri Naina Devi Ji is a famous religious place.
- The temple of Naina Devi Ji is situated on a ridge at an altitude of 3,595 feet which is visible from Ropar, Nalagarh and Una.
- In April, August, and October every year fairs are held in honour of Goddess Durga.
- Majority of the pilgrims from plains attend the August fair.
- Sikhs constitute about half the number of pilgrims.
- The people have unflinching faith in the Goddess and many devotees cover the distance from their home in the dandwat (prostrate) position.
- It is also believed that Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of Sikhs performed a great hawan and was blessed by the Goddess.
- Before taking over the management of the temple by the government a small town Committee was looking after the needs of the pilgrims and sanitation of the town.
- The government and various Social Organisations make arrangements during the fairs.
- The place is approachable both from Kiratpur and Bhakra.
Jhanda temple at village Bolu:
- Another place of religious importance is Jhanda temple which is situated at village Bolu 16 kms. east of Bilaspur.
- Here a fair is held every year in Asarh (June).
Googa peer at Geharwin:
- This place is famous for the shrine of Googa Peer.
- A large fair is held here in Bhadrapad (August/September). Groups of singers praise the heroic deeds of Googa.
Devat Sidh (In Hamirpur District):
- The temple of Devat Sidh baba is situated near Chakmoh, at a distance of 51 kms., from Bilaspur and is approachable by motor road.
- Thousands of people visit the temple in March and April.
- Earlier, Goat and sheep sacrifices were often made.
- A goat was usually sacrificed in the name of Kali during Dussehra in the earlier times.
- No sacrifice is, however, performed before the image of Vishnu.
Place of historical interest
Fort of Kotkahlur:
- The fort is situated at a distance of few kms. from Ganguwal Hydro Electric Station.
- Amongst the places of historical interest, the Fort of Kotkahlur occupies the 1st position.
- Raja Bir Chand, the founder ruler of this area got it constructed. It is in ruins now.
- The state was called Kahlur till such time the seat of Government was shifted to Bilaspur.
- Among the local population, the district is still known as Kahlur.
There are seven small ancient fortresses in the district at Bacchretur Bahadurpur, Basseh, Fatehpur, Sariyun, Swarghat and Tuini. Sunhani, a small village on the bank of Seer Khad is yet another place which claims the distinction of being a state headquarters for some period.
Places of Tourist Interest
Bhakra Dam:
- Bhakra Dam, the highest straight gravity dam in the world situated in Naina Devi sub tehsil about 14 kms. from Nangal town occupies the predominant position amongst the places of tourist interest.
- The idea for the construction of this dam was conceived by Sir Louts Dane, the then Lieutenant
Governor of Punjab, who travelled from Suni to Bilaspur and then onward to Ropar. - The project could not make headway due to the prohibitive cost of construction.
- In the year 1938-39, the district of Rohtak and Hissar of the then Punjab state experienced severe drought resulting in great loss of human life and cattle.
- The scheme was again mooted out but was not executed due to Second World War.
- It was only after independence in March, 1948 that the work was taken in hand for execution.
- On the historic day of 17th November, 1955, late Prime Minister Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru placed the first bucket of concrete at the foundation.
- The construction of dam was completed in October, 1962.
- The height of dam is 226 metres, length at the top is 518 metres and width 9 metres.
- It has a length of 99 metres at the bottom and width 402 metres.
- The project derives its name from two villages Bhakra and Nangal situated on the foot hills of the low Himalayan ranges.
- Bhakra occupies a very important place on the India’s tourist map and has rightly been described a “New Temple of Resurgent India” by the last Prime Minister Mr. Nehru.
- The project authorities have set up a Public Relations Office in Nangal Township which provides necessary help and guidance to the tourists.
Gobind Sagar Lake:
- This is a big manmade lake behind the Dam. It has been named after Guru Gobind Singh.
- Partial storage of water giving birth to Gobind Sagar was started on 3rd July, 1958 by closing the left diversion tunnel.
- In all 371 villages including Bilaspur town has been submerged in the lake out of which 256 from Bilaspur district alone.
- The area of the lake is 96.5 Sq. km. with storage capacity of 7.80 million cubic ft.
- The water which once caused havoc through floods have proved boon for the agriculture and industrial development of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- It moves the wheels of four hydroelectric power houses of Bhakra, Ganguwal and Kotla Power Plants with installed capacity of 1200 MW of electric power and brings under irrigation 26 lac hectares of land in the state of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- The lake is very useful for the development of fisheries within Himachal Pradesh.
New Bilaspur Town:
- After submerging the old Bilaspur town which was set up in about 1650 A.D., the new planned township has come up which is the seat of District headquarters.
- The places of interest where fairs are held are the temple of Raghu Nath Ji, Gopal Ji, Khanmukheshwar and Deomati.
Kandror Bridge:
- The construction of the bridge, the second highest in Asia, was started in April, 1959 and after completion in 1965, it has provided a link between Bilaspur, Ghumarwin and Hamirpur district.
Deoli:
- Deoli Fish Farm is situated at a distance of 15 kms from New Asia’s biggest Carp Fish Farm,
Deoli (Ghagus) Bilaspur Township towards Mandi just below the Shimla-Mandi Road. - It comprising 4.4 hectares comes in existence 1962.
- It consists of two big brood stock tanks and 14 nursery ponds.
- The total outlay on setting up this hatchery was 3.68 lacks.
- In beginning the farms activities were limited to meet the seed stocking requirements of Gobind Sagar reservoir, but its targets were increased year to year and research, training, technique and demonstration brought under the farm programmed.
- During 1978 fish species being record at the farm were demonstrated to the people by constructing a small aquarium and its aim was to apprise the popular.
- During 1989 a training center and Hostel were constructed within the farm premises so that training course is imparted to the departmental personnel and interested fish farmers.
- Now training camps are being conducted with modern fish breeding and culture technique training are imparted.
- This farm has not only historic importance but is can be known as a center breeding Water Chanel of Deoli Fish Farm, Ghagus excellent training in fish culture and research programmed.
- Keeping in view the commendable work done in the field of breeding, the Punjab University extended its recognition for undertaking research work at this farm.
- The Deoli fish farm has played a major role in breeding fish population in Gobind Sagar reservoir, income of the reservoir fishermen and their lives prosperous.
- For the first time Silver Carp fish was stocked in Gobind Sagar reservoir from Deoli farm.
- Every year 30-40 lacks mirror carp fingerlings are being produced at the farm and these are stocked in Gobind Sagar reservoir and other water bodies in the State and distributed to the private fish farms.
- Due to regular stocking in Gobind Sagar reservoir for the last decade at has a unique capacity of fish production per hectare in the country and this credit goes to Deoli farm.
The scientists of ICAR and State Fisheries Department initiated a joint research project viz. ‘Genetic Rejuvenation of Fish Stock in HP’. The ‘Bio-Science Department’ started this project entire funded about 18.00 lacks.
A quality strain of fish is being reared under this project and distributed to the fish farmers. Under this technique demonstration programme a new scheme namely ‘Fish Culture in Running Water’ was introduced for the first time at the farm.
This scheme was observed suitable especially in high altitude of Himachal Pradesh on the basis of success of this technique the Govt. of India incorporated this scheme under the Centrally Sponsored Fish Farmers’ Development Agency subsidy programme. The NABARD Bank has also approved this scheme namely ‘Fish Culture in Running Water’ which resulted in setting up of about 1,000 units in the State.
In recent years sport fisheries is fostering in the Gobind Sagar reservoir which clearly indicates vast
potential of attracting tourists. The Deptt. regularly organizes angling completions every year. In Gobind Sagar and Mahseer fish which is a famous and most liked fish of the anglers is an important fish of this reservoir. As the breeding of Mahseer fish is not an easy job hence the Punjab University and State Fisheries Department jointly prepared a project of Rs. 19.00 lacks it was got approved from ICAR. Present hatchery set up at the Deoli farm has been constructed under this scheme. Under this scheme matured Mahseer fish would be brought from his habitat and bred in comfortable situation.
Namhol:
- Namhol is located at about 24 kms. from Bilaspur on the Bilaspur-Shimla road.
- There is a Thakurdwara which was built by Raja Amar Chand in 1883 A.D. Brass idols of Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman is installed in the temple.
- The place is the main centre of ginger trade.
Swarghat:
- At an elevation of 1,128 metres from the sea level, Swarghat is situated at a distance of about 42 kms. from Bilaspur on the Bilaspur-Kiratpur Road. Surrounded by pine trees, it is a beautiful place and is elevated to the status of a sub- Tahsil headquarters of Naina Devi.
- There is Lakshmi Narain temple in the village.