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16th, April, 2022

 

Topic: Important Place in news of Himachal

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

  • The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Himachal, has written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to preserve and relocate the ancient Bathu ki Lari temples of the erstwhile Guler state of Kangra district.

 

Malvika Pathania, state convener of INTACH, says:

  • The Union Ministry of Culture had recently decided to preserve the Kaleshwar Mahadev temple in Kangra district. “We have written to the ASI that the Bathu ki Lari temples that are connected with the heritage of Kangra district should also be preserved. These temples are made of sand stones and have withstood the elements of nature despite getting submerged under water for the past 50 years since the construction of the Pong Dam.

 

Raghav Guleria, who belongs to the family of former Guler rulers, says that:

  • Bathu ki Lari is a series of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. “These are known as Badri Vishal temples in the most fertile Haldoon valley of the erstwhile Guler state of Kangra district. These temples were managed by former rulers of Guler state till they got submerged under the Pong Dam Lake.
  • The Hadoon valley was irrigated by the perennial Beas, Baner, Gaj and the Dehar rivers originating from the Dhauladhar mountain ranges. This prosperous civilisation needs only salt and kerosene from the outside world. The region is exceedingly vibrant and the farming community prays to God Badri Vishal for the safety of their crops and a better yield.

 

 

   About Bathu ki Lari temples:

The temples of Bathu are also known by the name of “Bathu ki ladi”. It is a group of temples in the Kangra       district of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is located about three km east to Dhameta. In early 1970’s, these       temples were  engulfed in Maharana Pratap Sagar, a reservoir created by Pong dam. Temples can only be reached during the months of May-June when the water level is low. These temples can be accessed by boat from Dhameta and Nagrota Surian and are approachable by road from Jawali.

 

Temple History:

  • There are many popular hearsays about the origin of Bathu temples among the locals. According to that, some native claim that the temple was constructed by Pandavas while other stories claim that it was established by a local king.
  • In the 1970’s, this spectacular unique complex of 8th century was submerged by the lake waters. Each year as the lake levels decline, the temples gradually appear at the edge of the fields.
  • Before 1974, this cluster of unique temples would attract pilgrims throughout the year. It was in 1961 that the work of Pong dam was started. The work was completed in 1970. The level of dam water rises above 1410 ft to engulf the temple.

Temples Architecture:

  • Bathu temple is a cluster of eight temples that are spread over the large area which used to have strong protection walls. The temple is made out of Bathu stone. The stone images of Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesh is seen on the either sides of the gate.
  • Before entering the temple complex, devotees need to pass through another gate, as the temples have two layers protection walls to save them from foreign invaders. The temple houses the broken images of Lord Vishnu and Sheshnag.
  • Ancient and artistic ladders with portraits of Hindu gods inside the temple domes display the richness of architecture skill. The chisel and stone work on Bathu stone is worth watching.
(Source: HP Tribune & apnisanskriti)

 

 

Topic: MOU

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

  • MoU signed between HP and NHPC for Pilot Green Hydrogen mobility station at Chamba.

 

Vision:

  • Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that India will go Carbon neutral by 2070 and by 2030 India will generate 500 GW from non-fossil fuel sources which will be 50 percent of total installed capacity and this initiative of State Governments with the cooperation of NHPC will be a big milestone in this regard.

 

MOU between whom?

  • A Green Hydrogen project at Chamba has been taken up by the NHPC an initiative and MOU is being signed between HP Government and NHPC Ltd for execution of the Pilot Hydrogen Project in the area of Mobility.
(Source: HP Tribune)