Dholbaha

Situated in a picturesque valley at the foot of the Shiwaliks, Dholbaha is 30 kilometers to the northwest of Hoshiarpur. It is approachable by a metal led road from Hariana (14 km) of which it forms the terminus.

Local tradition associated the place with the legendary king Dhol. Archaeology has pushed back its antiquity to the Pleistocene period when the Stone Age man roamed up and down the terraces and hillocks of the valley for food, water and shelter. Another tradition is that the name 'Dholbaha' is derived from 'Dharvalavaha' (white rivulet), which symbolizes the crystalline water of a gently murmuring stream winding its way along the silvery bed of glittering sand.

Dholbaha is known as an ancient-temple-town. The place remained increasingly flourishing throughout the early medival period (700-1200 A. D.) and it saw, like the rest of India, the most brilliant efflorescence of temple-building and sculptural art. A large number of amalakas (crowing members of temple spries) buried walls, plinths, and other architectural pieces establish the presence of several temples here at various places. Perhaps, the oldest sculpture is a head of Vishnu rougly datable to the 7th-8th century A. D. and the most beautiful is, again, a Vidhnu head of the 10th century, the other important ones being a reclining Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati seated on Nandi Mahishasuramardini, female figures or couples on architraves members and statue depicting four Juna images seated back to back. Most of the sculptures are of sandstone granite is also made use of. These are exhibited in the museum maintained by the Archaeology Department, Punjab, in the premises of the Vishveshvaranand Institute, Sadhu Ashram at Hoshiarpur. Besides, there is a museum at Dholbaha, where some of the findings excavated from here are displayed any shown to the visitors. There is also Mahisharsuramardini temple, which is stated to be more than 500 years old. Besides, there is another temple, in the name of goddess Mansa Devi.

There is also a temple of Shiva said to have been constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A story goes that once the Maharaja was on his way to expedition of Kangra, he passed through this place and it was here that he was checked and his troops were detained by Maharaja Shital giri with his spiritual power. Out of reverence for the saint, Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a Shiva temple. By the side of the temple, there is a samadh of Shital Giri.