Masrur (Masroor) Rock-Cut Temples, Kangra
temple · 10.9 km away
lake51 min from Jwalamukhi
Maharana Pratap Sagar (Pong Dam lake)
Maharana Pratap Sagar, the Pong reservoir, is a Ramsar wetland and bird sanctuary in Kangra, with winter waterfowl and old temples that rise from the water.
What it is
Maharana Pratap Sagar, also called the Pong reservoir or Pong Dam lake, is a large reservoir on the Beas in Kangra district, formed in 1975 behind what is described as the highest earthfill dam in India. It is named for Maharana Pratap, it is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, and it was made a bird sanctuary in 1983.
Photos: Vadobill (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Neha Sharma (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Neha Sharma (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Getting there
About 31 km and 51 minutes by car from Jawalamukhi on our routing. The lake is reached from several sides, and the shore towns of Dehra and Jawali are on its edge, so ask locally which landing or viewpoint you want, as we have no verified access points.
What to look for
In winter, the birds. Migratory waterfowl come from the plains, Central Asia and Siberia between November and March, and the receding shoreline from October leaves mudflats where ducks, geese, plovers and wagtails feed. The main species include the bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, northern pintail, common teal and the black stork. Around the shore, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, leopards and otters have been recorded.
In spring, the Bathu temples. A cluster of old temples near Jawali stands under the water for eight months a year, and as the level drops between March and June they rise out of the lake. Look for them on the island in the cover photograph.
There is also a regional water-sports centre on the reservoir offering canoeing, rowing, sailing and water skiing. We have no verified prices, hours or booking details, so ask locally.
When to go
Winter for the birds, spring for the Bathu temples; summers are hot and humid, with highs of 40 °C. See when to visit Jwalamukhi.
Around it
The Jwalamukhi Temple is 51 minutes back. The one-day plan pairs the lake with the temple, and things to do in Jwalamukhi has the rest.
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Questions people ask
What is Maharana Pratap Sagar?
The reservoir behind the Pong Dam on the Beas in Kangra district, also called the Pong reservoir or Pong Dam lake. It was created in 1975, declared a bird sanctuary in 1983 and is a Ramsar wetland. It is named for Maharana Pratap and is known for winter waterfowl.
When is the best time to see the birds?
Winter, from November to March, when migratory waterfowl arrive from the plains, Central Asia and Siberia. More than 220 bird species have been recorded, and a two-day census that ended on 1 February 2015 counted over 130,000 birds. The bar-headed goose is among the main species.
What are the Bathu temples?
A cluster of old temples about 7 km from Jawali that stand under the reservoir's water for eight months of the year and emerge between March and June as the level falls. They are the reason to visit in spring, when you may be able to see them above water.