The Hatkeshwari Temple is not one of those five-by-five bathroom-tiled rooms that are passed off as ancient temples in tourist brochures. Locals believe the Pandavas first built this temple during their exile. However, experts date it to between 800 and 1000 AD. It was originally built in the shikhara style, but was later restyled by a ruler of the erstwhile Jubbal princely state in the late-19th century. It now looks like a two-storey pagoda in slate and deodar wood. However, the sanctum sanctorum and the idol remain unchanged.
The Shiva Temple, though built a little later, actually looks older because of its stone walls and the idols carved on them. Here, the restyling was limited to the roof and the temple remains a squat, single-storey structure. Check out the five deols, or devalayas small stone temples to its left. They represent the shikhara style and remain unchanged.
Hatkoti is a very small village and its inhabitants begin and end their day at these temples. VIPs and devotees from other parts of the state pass through from time to time, but crowds are practically unknown. Try not to miss the evening aarti. It is a very soothing experience, sans loudspeakers and bhajans that are parodies of Bollywood numbers.