Bilaspur, India's first planned hill station, is a popular tourist attraction in the country. This lovely hill station is a wonderful spot to relax and explore the Himalaya's best offerings. An artificial lake, a fort, dams, fish farms, adventurous sports, honeymoon, natural beauty, temples, caverns, old-fashioned dwellings, and wildlife are among the attractions of this charming hill resort. Bilaspur provides an advantage to all visiting tourists by providing a wide range of dining and lodging options in the shape of hotels, resorts, inns, and restaurants. Nature lovers, photo enthusiasts, romantic couples, honeymooners, families, shutterbugs, picnickers, adventurers, and weekend lovers will like this destination. With many tourist attractions and nearby places in Bilaspur, such as Sri Naina Devi Ji, Gobind Sagar Reservoir, Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Kandrour Bridge, Koldam Dam, and Shri Rukmani Kund, Himachal tourism offers travellers and tourists from all walks of life more opportunities to enjoy their leisure time in the lap of nature.

HISTORY OF BILASPUR

Bilaspur was the capital of the same-named state, also known as Kahlur, which was formed in the seventh century. Chandel Rajputs, who claimed descent from the Lords of Chanderi in present-day Madhya Pradesh, were the governing dynasty. Bilaspur was established in the year 1663. Later, the state became a princely state of British India, and it was administered by the British province of Punjab. Bilaspur was established as a district of Himachal Pradesh state by an act of the Indian Parliament on July 1, 1954, after becoming a distinct state of India under a chief commissioner. The historic town of Bilaspur was buried when the Sutlej River was dammed to build the Govind Sagar, and a new town was constructed upslope. 

CULTURE OF BILASPUR

Bilaspur's culture reflects the religious, god-fearing Kumaoni people who live a quiet lifestyle away from the noise and bustle of metropolises. This is significant because they have consistently distinguished themselves from shopping malls and multiplex cultures. Due to an increase in Bilaspur tourism over the last ten years, the locals' attitude toward tourists has become more straightforward and pleasant.

THINGS TO DO WHEN IN BILASPUR 

• Paragliding - Bilaspur should be on the top of the list for people interested in paragliding, as the area is naturally blessed for the adventure sport. Unlike most famous paragliding destinations, Bilaspur can provide an incredible 8 hours of flight time as well as an exceptional landing place with a lake nearby.

• Rowing - The Bilaspur district's Gobind Sagar Lake is a man-made reservoir. It facilitates a variety of water sport activities in Himachal Pradesh, attracting a huge number of visitors to participate in sports such as swimming, rowing, water skiing, surfing, canoeing, and kayaking. Rowing and kayaking events are often reserved for experienced campaigners.

• Camping - Satluj Valley is a great place to visit. Shimla is 85 kilometres away. The finest way to reconnect with nature is to stay at a camp in Bilaspur. Several camps in Bilaspur provide reasonably priced camping packages for those who want to experience the delightful flavour of camping in the wild.

• Trekking - Trekking to adjacent villages provides insight into Bilaspur's culture, which is dominated by Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh religions. You can also have a good time speaking the Bilaspuri or Kehluri language, which is spoken in this tourist destination.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BILASPUR

• Gobind Sagar Lake - An attractive vista to gaze upon is the incomparable beautiful view of undulating hills and plains overlooking the azure blue colour of the man-made reservoir of the Gobind Sagar lake. The Bhakra Dam, one of the world's highest gravity dams, creates a massive reservoir on the Sutlej river.

• Bhakra Dam - The Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India, that spans the Satluj River. The dam is situated in a canyon near the upstream Bhakra village in the Himachal Pradesh district of Bilaspur, at a height of 226 metres. With a height of 265 metres, Tehri Dam is India's tallest dam.

• Vyas Cave - This is the cave on the banks of the Sutlej River where the Mahabharata's author, Rishi Vyas, lived during his penance days. It is located on the left bank of the Sutlej at a height of 610 metres. The caves are also responsible for the town's name, which was previously known as Vyaspur.

• Naina Devi Temple - Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple is located on a hilltop in the Himachal Pradesh district of Bilaspur. Raja Bir Chand built it in the 8th century at a height of 1219 metres above sea level. The temple has been associated with various folklores since its construction, and pilgrims who visit it on a regular basis regard it as highly sacred.

• Bahadurpur Fort - The fort is roughly 40 kilometres from Bilaspur and is located at the top of the Bahadurpur hill. The deodar and ban trees that line these ranges add to their beauty. The Ratanpur Fort, Swarghat, Fatehpur Fort, the Naina Devi hill, the plains of Ropar, and the Shimla highlands are all within 6 kilometres away. This fort was constructed before 1835, but it is now in ruins.

WHAT TO EAT IN BILASPUR 

Bilaspur has a few restaurants that serve traditional foods and cuisines. Other than that, your options are limited, and you may want to make some personal food arrangements. In the nearest or surrounding cities, there are likely to be additional things to do. Himachali cuisine is simple, including chapati, dals, vegetable stew, and curd as a main meal. In the majority of the restaurants here, pickles are usually provided with a meal. You can also discover a lot of fruits here because Himachal is known for its fresh and exquisite fruit types at reasonable prices.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Bilaspur can be visited at any time. Summers are hot, with moderate rainfall during the monsoons, while winters are chilly, with temperatures dropping below freezing. If you're travelling in the winter, don't forget to bring warm woollens.

BEST WAY TO REACH BILASPUR 

• By Air: The Shimla airport is the closest airport to Bilaspur, at a distance of 124 kilometres.

• By Train: Bilaspur does not have its own train station; the nearest one is in Punjab, at Kiratpur Sahib Junction, which is 94 kilometres away.

• By Road: Bilaspur is well connected to Himachal Pradesh's major cities as well as those in neighbouring states.