Things to do in Bilaspur, Himachal — Naina Devi, the drowned town and the lake
Things to do in Bilaspur, Himachal: Naina Devi, the drowned temples of the old town, water sports on the lake, Vyas Gufa, Kandrour bridge and Anandpur Sahib.
ArticleVerified 2026-10-23
Best time to visit Bilaspur, Himachal — the lake, the heat and the festivals
When to visit Bilaspur, Himachal: the full lake in October and November, the drowned temples in the dry months, the May–June heat and the Navratri crowds.
The short answer
October to April. Bilaspur sits low, at 673 m in a valley on the Sutlej, so it has none of the snow of the higher hills and much more of the heat. The lake decides the rest: full in autumn, falling through winter and spring until the old town's temples show.
October and November: the full lake
The lake is completely full, the monsoon is over and the air clears. Regattas are held on the water, and the water sports complex at Luhnu Ground is running. The drowned temples are under the water now; this is the season for the lake itself.
December to April: the water goes down
The days are mild and the level falls month by month. Somewhere in this stretch the spires of the Ranganatha temples come back out of the water; the picture on their page is from 22 March. Water sports run until January. It is also the easiest time for the climb at Naina Devi.
May and June: the heat
The hottest months, typically 37 to 38°C and sometimes over 40°C. If you come, go up to Naina Devi at first light and keep the middle of the day indoors.
July to September: the monsoon
Heavy rain. The lake fills, roads into the hills can slip, and water sports start again from August.
The festivals
Navratri fills Naina Devi and every Devi temple in the region, in Chaitra (March or April) and above all in Ashvin (September or October). The month of Sawan brings the other great crowd of the year to the hill. Go for the devotion, start at first light, or pick an ordinary weekday.
Plans
See the one-day plan, how to reach Bilaspur and things to do in Bilaspur.
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Questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Bilaspur in Himachal?
October to April. In October and November the lake is completely full and regattas are held on it; through the winter and spring the water falls and the old temples come out. May and June are hot, typically 37 to 38°C, and July to September is the monsoon.
When can you see the submerged temples of Bilaspur?
In the dry months, when the level of Gobind Sagar has fallen; the picture on our page of the temples was taken on 22 March. In October and November, when the lake is full, they are under the water. Ask in town how far it has dropped before you go.
When are water sports open on Gobind Sagar?
From August to January, when the water is high enough, at the state's complex at Luhnu Ground in Bilaspur. Swimming, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and water-skiing run there, with courses at three levels, and regattas are held on the lake in October and November.