Bilaspur: a lake town on the road to Manali
Where the Sutlej becomes the long Gobind Sagar reservoir — with temples that rise from the water in spring, boating and paragliding, and the first proper hill views on the drive from Chandigarh to Manali. It is also our home town.
- ~670 m Bilaspur
- ~110 km from Chandigarh
- Mar–Jun submerged temples visible
- On NH Kiratpur–Manali highway
Photo: Kartiktiktik, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Bilaspur is a lake town at about 670 m on the Kiratpur–Manali highway, about 110 km (2.5–3 hours) from Chandigarh. The old town was submerged when the Bhakra dam created the Gobind Sagar reservoir in the early 1960s, and the present town was rebuilt on the hillside above. When the water level drops, usually from about March to June, the stone shikhara temples of old Bilaspur rise out of the lake. Other things to do: boating and water sports on Gobind Sagar, paragliding from Bandla hill, and the hilltop Naina Devi temple in the same district. Bilaspur is warm for most of the year and makes an easy meal or overnight break on the way to Mandi, Kullu and Manali.
- AltitudeAbout 670 m — warm summers, mild winters.
- DistancesChandigarh ~110 km; Mandi ~70 km; Manali ~180 km; Shimla ~90 km.
- Submerged templesVisible when the water is low, about March – June.
- Things to doGobind Sagar boating and water sports, Bandla hill paragliding, Naina Devi.
- Best monthsOctober – April; March – June for the temples.
Bilaspur and Mandi weather today
Current temperature and the next days’ high, low and rain for Bilaspur and Mandi.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
Things to do in Bilaspur
The submerged temples. Old Bilaspur’s stone temples — a group of tall shikhara shrines — were left under the water when the reservoir filled. As the level falls in spring and early summer they appear again, standing in the shallows and on dry banks; it is a striking, quiet sight. Ask locally for the best viewpoint in the season.
Gobind Sagar. The reservoir, named after Guru Gobind Singh, stretches for many kilometres up the Sutlej valley. Boating, kayaking and other water sports are usually available near Bilaspur town in season. Bandla hill above the town is a take-off point for paragliding with views over the lake.
Naina Devi, one of Himachal’s best-known hilltop shrines, is in the same district — see Naina Devi and the Naina Devi ropeway. Further down the Sutlej, the Bhakra dam is one of India’s great dams; access to the dam itself is restricted, so check before planning a visit.
Best time to visit Bilaspur
Bilaspur is low and warm, so the seasons differ from the hill stations.
| Season | Weather | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| October – February | Pleasant days, cool nights | Best for sightseeing and road stops |
| March – June | Warm to hot (often 35 °C+ in May–June) | Water level low; submerged temples visible |
| July – September | Monsoon | Reservoir fills; temples under water; green hills |
Weather: Bilaspur ka mausam.
How to reach Bilaspur
Bilaspur is on the four-lane Kiratpur–Manali highway: about 110 km from Chandigarh, 330 km from Delhi, 70 km to Mandi and 180 km to Manali. It is also on the Shimla–Mandi road (about 90 km from Shimla). Buses on the Delhi/Chandigarh–Manali route stop here. See our Chandigarh to Manali taxi, Shimla to Manali taxi and the Himachal distance chart.
Bilaspur and Gobind Sagar in pictures
The lake in summer, the submerged temples, sunsets, boats and the Bhakra dam — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Around Bilaspur
Easy stops on the same road.
Trips from our home base
Suzu Travels is based in Bilaspur — hotels, meals and a private car with a hill driver, in one quote.
Driving to Manali via Bilaspur?
Tell us your dates and group. We plan your stops along the highway — Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu — and send one written quote with hotels, meals and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
Bilaspur: frequently asked questions
When can you see the submerged temples in Bilaspur?
When the Gobind Sagar water level is low, usually from about March to June.
How far is Bilaspur from Chandigarh?
About 110 km, 2.5–3 hours by road on the Kiratpur–Manali highway.
What is Gobind Sagar?
The reservoir on the Sutlej created by the Bhakra dam, named after Guru Gobind Singh.
Is there paragliding in Bilaspur?
Yes, from Bandla hill above the town, in season and weather permitting.
Can I visit the Bhakra dam?
Access to the dam itself is restricted; check current rules before planning a visit.
How far is Manali from Bilaspur?
About 180 km, roughly 4.5–5 hours via Mandi and Kullu.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Gobind Sagar
- Wikipedia: Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
Gobind Sagar lake in summer — Photo: Kartiktiktik, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The submerged temples — Photo: Ms Sarah Welch, CC0 · The lake and the hills — Photo: Harmalhotra, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sunset over the lake — Photo: Ashish Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Boats on the reservoir — Photo: Manu moudgil, CC BY-SA 4.0 · An island in the lake — Photo: Thakur Dalip Singh, CC BY 3.0 · Gobind Sagar on a hazy day — Photo: Hiteshsamm, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bilaspur town — Photo: Rohit223958, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bhakra dam — Photo: Original uploader was KawalSingh at en.wikipedia, Public domain
