One day in Bilaspur — Shri Naina Devi Ji and the drowned temples of Gobind Sagar
A single day for Bilaspur. The morning is Shri Naina Devi Ji, the Shakti Peeth on its hilltop. The afternoon is the new town and the shore of Gobind Sagar, where the temples of the drowned old town come out of the water in the dry months.
The two-day plan adds Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib. See also things to do in Bilaspur.
Photos: Invictus27 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Ms Sarah Welch (CC0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
Pilgrims and families with a day in Bilaspur, or breaking the drive between Chandigarh and Mandi or Manali.
Day by day
Day 1The hilltop in the morning, the lake in the afternoon
3 stops · 1 h 21 min on the road
The hilltop in the morning, the lake in the afternoon
Up to Naina Devi early, 81 min from Bilaspur, then back to the new town for lunch, its temple, and the shore where the old town's temples show when the water is low.
- 08:30Naina Devi Temple, Naina DeviHere fell the right eye of Mata Sati. Climb the last stretch by the steps or take the cable car, cover your head, and join the queue for darshan of the Mother.
- ↓ 1 h 18 min by road · 45 km15:00Shri Lakshmi Narayan MandirThe temple of Lakshmi Narayan in the new town, a minute from the centre. A quiet hour after the crowds on the hill.
- ↓ 3 min by road · 1 km16:30Ranganatha Temples, Bilaspur Himachal PradeshThe stone temples of old Bilaspur, 3 min below the new town. When the lake is low their spires stand out of the water; when it is full, in October and November, they are under it.
Getting there
Bilaspur is about 110 km and 114 min from Chandigarh on the Manali highway. See how to reach Bilaspur.
Where to stay
Stay in Bilaspur. If you are coming straight from Chandigarh, you can do Naina Devi on the way up, 107 min from the city, and reach Bilaspur by lunch.
Know before you go
- Leave Bilaspur by seven; the queues at Naina Devi grow through the morning.
- Ask in town how far the lake has fallen before you walk down to the old temples.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Bilaspur itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Bilaspur →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
Can you do Naina Devi and Bilaspur in one day?
Yes. Naina Devi is about 81 min from Bilaspur by road, so leaving at seven puts you at the temple by half past eight, with darshan done and the drive back finished by lunch. The afternoon is the new town's temple and the shore of the lake below it.
Is the cable car at Naina Devi the only way up?
No. The road curves up round the hill to a point below the top, and concrete steps climb from there. The cable car carries pilgrims from the base of the hill to the top, which helps older people and small children on a busy day.
What if the lake is full?
Then the old temples are under the water, which is the case in October and November. The plan still works: the shore gives the long view over Gobind Sagar, and the lake runs water sports from August to January at Luhnu Ground in town.