WHAT TO SEE

Naina Devi Temple:

(1177m) 29 km from Swarghat and 69 km from Bilaspur. This is the most notable place of worship and attract thousands of pilgrims regularly and during its many fairs. Situated on the top of a triangular hillock, it commands the unparellelled view of the holy Anandpur Sahib, birth place of Khalsa on one side and Gobindsagar on other. Both Hindus and Sikhs hold the shrine in great veneration. The main fair is generally held in August every year when thousands of pilgrims from Northern India come to Nainadevi shrine.

Bhakkra:

37 km from Swarghat and 108 km from Chandigarh. Bhakra is not merely the name of an obscure village in Himalayan foothills where the river Sutlej enters the narrow gorge but the late, has become the centre of attraction for the visitors from India and abroad. It is considered a very important place on the tourist map of India and has rightly been described as 'New Temple of Resurgent India' by the late Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, who dedicated it to the nation on November 20, 1963. Bhakra is the world's highest straight gravity Dam.

Bilaspur :

(673m) 40 km. Formally the seat of the ruler of the earstwhile state now submerged in Govindsagar was situated on the South East side of the Satlej in a spacious valley through where Sutlej winds its course. The old Bilaspur town was founded by Rishi Ved Vyas. The place is famous for Govind Sagar lake which offers a variety of water sports in year round activities include boating, water skiing, surfing, Rowing etc.

Vyas Goofa :

The name of sage Vyas is well known in this part and infact he must have frequently roamed about in this area, from Thaneshwar to Rohtang wherein river Vyas emerges and where there is pond called as Vyas Kund. It is situated in the foot of new township. He meditated in this cave.

Kandror :

This village has gained prominence and has become a tourist attractions only during the recent time, because of its being the site of a bridge over the upper reaches of Govind Sagar. This is considered to be the highest bridge in Asia & second highest in the world being about 60 m high & 285 km in span.

Markanda :

This is famous shrine about 20 km from Bilaspur in Tehsil Sadar named after renowned Rishi Markandaya. According to a legend a tunnel connected Markanda and Vyas Cave and the two Rishis Vyas & Markanda used to see each other through this sub-terra nean path. There is also a water spring of ancient where Markanda fair is held annually on Baishakhi day. It is believed that the water cures children suffering from skin diseases.

Forts :

The Bilaspur district has many forts of ancient time which are worth visting. Some of there are Bachhretu fort (1980m) 64 km from Bilaspur. Baseh fort 6 km from North wards of Bachhretu fort, Kot-Kahlur fort 40 km from Bilaspur and Rattanpur for 21 km from Bilaspur.

Café Lake View :

1 km short of Bilaspur on the left bank of Govind Sagar lake, HPTDC runs a wayside café. Hotel Lake View is under construction.