Hamirpur: Temples, Festivals and the Beas

Historic temples, religious festival days and the Beas give Hamirpur distinct travel highlights. In Sujanpur, temple buildings dating back several centuries meet the Chaugan by the river; Nadaun combines cultural sites with activities on the Beas. Deothsidh and Gasota bring annual festivals to the fore. When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to decide on your priorities first: should historic sites, a particular festival date or experiences on the water shape your stay? The destinations are spread across different places, so choosing a location based on your own sightseeing goals can help with planning.

Sujanpur: Temples, Town History and the Chaugan

Raja Abhay Chand founded the historic town of Sujanpur in 1748. The Murli-Manohar Temple is in the centre of the town and was built in 1790; the Narvdeshwar-Mahadev Temple dates from 1823. Sujanpur lies on the left bank of the Beas. The Chaugan is considered the largest square in Himachal Pradesh; a four-day state-level Holi festival is held there during the Holi festival. The historic Sujanpur Fort of the Katoch dynasty is four kilometres from Sujanpur.

Other notable temples also lie beyond the town centre. The Gauri-Shankar Temple is in Form, four kilometres from Sujanpur, and was built in 1793 during the rule of Raja Sansar Chand. The Bilkaleshwar-Mahadev Temple lies about seven kilometres away on the road from Nadaun to Sujanpur. When choosing a location, the difference between a temple in the town centre and sites outside Sujanpur can therefore serve as a practical guide.

Religious Sites and Festival Dates

The Baba-Balak-Nath Temple in Deothsidh is located in the village of Chakmoh in Hamirpur district, on a hill in a natural cave. The month-long Chaitr Mela is held there every year from 14 March to 13 April. Gasota is home to a roughly 400-year-old Lord Shiva temple; a natural stream flows beside the temples. The annual cattle fair is held on the first Monday of the month of Jyeshtha, usually in mid-May. These festivals therefore offer different time windows for planning a spring stay.

Nadaun is home to the Dhaynu-Bhagat Samadhi and a historic Gurudwara. The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association's Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee Cricket Stadium is also located on the banks of the Beas near Nadaun. Visitors come to the Shani Dev Temple in Lambloo to perform Tula Daan. Near the site associated with Markandya Rishi, Markanda has a natural spring; the place is also known for its fair.

The Beas, Activities and Choosing Your Focus

There are good opportunities for mahseer fishing on the Beas near Nadaun. River rafting runs from Nadaun to Dehra and farther downstream. Paragliding and trekking are considered suitable activities in and around Sujanpur. When planning, you can weigh these different options: water activities are associated with Nadaun and the Beas, while paragliding and trekking are based in Sujanpur.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

There are no direct flights to Hamirpur district. The nearest airport is Gaggal near Dharamshala, about 83 kilometres away; regular bus and taxi services run to and from Gaggal. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates bus services to major destinations. Private bus services are also available within the state, as are taxis for hire in most places. When looking for a holiday rental, you can consider the travel options for the places you plan to visit alongside your preferred travel focus.

If a festival is your main focus, the dates in Deothsidh and Gasota provide a specific anchor for your travel dates. For a more activity-oriented stay, you can weigh whether the Beas near Nadaun or the activities in and around Sujanpur are a better fit for your plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Tira Sujanpur, Patta, Mandi, Chail, Una, Kangra, Palampur, Solan.

Back to the main travel overview: Himachal Pradesh.