The last time I was here, the landscape looked liked this.
These photographs were taken by me in 2013 during my first visit.
But that was a decade ago. I thought much would have changed here but not so much. The place looks exactly the same barring a motor operated boat being put in place by the government to facilitate tourists like us. Though one can drive till the temple main area but that is possible only when the water levels have gone down considerably low. It was not the case today but for that very purpose, a boat was waiting for us.
Talking about how things looked today, let me share a few photographs first before we proceed any further.
There is a main temple and eight small temples are built around it. There is a circular staircase built as a tower at least seventy-five feet tall. This temple was built by Raja Goverdhan Singh around 1741-1773. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a Shiva temple but a Badri Vishal Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. After Pong Dam came into existence, idols from the temple were moved to another temple in a nearby village named Indora. The temple is rarely visited though because it doesn’t match the grandeur of the old temples.
On one side you have a vast grassland area devoid of any plantation. On the other side you have a waterbody so huge that seems to have no end. Dhauladhar’s shining in the summer sun makes the sight even more beautiful. This all looks captivating and inviting. However, there is a sad story associated with it.
There are two-islands visible from these temples. One, popularly known as the Ransar Island is a luxury tourist spot for foreigners and rich Indians. Water-sports, fishing, bird watching, and other activities are organized there to entice tourists.
They have made a special landing platform for docking boats. However we could not get down near the temples because the waters were turbulent today. Though It did make up for an adventurous boat ride riding along the high waves.
These region also serves as a heavenly breeding ground for migratory birds visiting from far-off lands of Europe and Eurasia but those can be seen only during early morning and late evening hours. We did catch a glimpse of bar headed geese but they were too agile to be caught by our camera.
Because we were the only ones availing that boat ride, the boat man took us to an extended ride that lasted around 25 minutes. Strong Winds kissed our faces, and our uncovered foreheads too, and it was a pleasant feeling to breath sunkissed air sprinkled with Himalayan waters.
I thought of jumping in the waters and swimming upto the temple area but the boatman advised strongly against it. You gotta listen to the experts so I dropped the plan. Maybe a month down the line, we can see these temples connected to the mainland.
Another visit would be due then.
The old fishing boats were docked and fishermen were waiting for the sunset to dive into waters again to gather their day’s collection.
I hope they get a good return for their efforts.
