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Bathu Ki Ladi Temples, Pong Dam
Shiva • Pong Dam, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
Bathu Ki Ladi is a line of old stone shrines that rises from the waters of the Pong Dam reservoir in Kangra district. For much of the year the temples stand partly under the lake, surfacing only in the dry summer when the water drops. The central Shiva temple and its smaller companions form a string of bathu-stone shrines that local people connect with the Pandavas.
A string of shrines in the reservoir
The name Bathu Ki Ladi means a string, or ladi, of shrines built from bathu stone. The temples sit on what is now an island within the Maharana Pratap Sagar, the reservoir formed by the Pong Dam on the Beas river. From a distance the cluster reads as a single row of weathered towers above the water.
The group is led by a larger Shiva temple, around which several smaller shrines are arranged. The hard bathu stone has helped the structures survive long spells underwater, which is part of why they still stand after decades within the lake.
Submerged and revealed by the seasons
What makes the site unusual is its seasonal disappearance. After the monsoon the reservoir fills and the shrines are partly drowned, with only their upper portions showing above the surface. As summer advances and the water recedes, the temples emerge more fully and the connecting plinths reappear.
Because of this cycle, the best time to reach the temples on foot is the dry season, when the lake bed is exposed. At higher water levels visitors approach by boat across the reservoir, making the trip as much a journey over water as a temple visit.
Medieval workmanship and Pandava tradition
The shrines show medieval stone craft in their carved doorways and the proportions of their towers. Though weathered by years of immersion, traces of the original detailing survive on the central temple and several of the smaller ones.
Local tradition ties the site to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata, who are said to have built or visited it during their wanderings. Such Pandava associations are common across Himalayan temple sites, and at Bathu Ki Ladi they add to the appeal of the lonely shrines standing in the lake.
- A central Shiva temple with smaller surrounding shrines
- Built of durable bathu stone within the Pong Dam reservoir
- Reached on foot in summer or by boat when water is high
Visiting Bathu Ki Ladi
The reservoir lies in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, within the wider Pong Dam wetland that is also known for migratory birds in winter. Access to the temples depends entirely on the water level, so it helps to check seasonal conditions before planning a trip.
Visitors should treat the site as both a place of worship and a fragile heritage spot. There are few facilities on the island itself, so it is best approached as a short, self-contained excursion rather than a full day out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bathu Ki Ladi?
Bathu Ki Ladi is a row of old stone temples standing within the Pong Dam reservoir in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The name means a string of shrines built from bathu stone, led by a central Shiva temple.
Why are the temples underwater for part of the year?
The temples sit inside the Maharana Pratap Sagar, the reservoir created by the Pong Dam. When the lake fills after the monsoon the shrines are partly submerged, and they re-emerge only as the water recedes in the dry summer months.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry summer months are best, when the water level drops and the temples can be reached on foot. At higher water levels the site is approached by boat across the reservoir.
Which deity is worshipped here?
The principal shrine is dedicated to Shiva. It is the largest of the cluster, surrounded by several smaller shrines that together form the ladi, or string, of temples.
How do you reach the temples?
Access depends on the water level. In the dry season you can walk to the shrines across the exposed lake bed, while during higher water you take a boat across the Pong Dam reservoir.
Is the site linked to any legend?
Yes. Local tradition connects Bathu Ki Ladi with the Pandavas of the Mahabharata, who are said to have built or visited the shrines during their wanderings.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Primary Deity | Shiva |
| Location | Pong Dam reservoir, Kangra |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Material | Bathu stone |
| Setting | Within Maharana Pratap Sagar lake |
| Era | Medieval workmanship |
| Access | On foot in summer or by boat |
| Tradition | Linked to the Pandavas |