Destination Details - Mandi Himachal Pardesh

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About Mandi Himachal Pardesh

Spiritually enlightening and amazingly photogenic, Mandi is decorated with shimmering lakes, pious temples and breathtaking landscapes. The tiny hill station is also known by the name of "Varanasi of Hills" or "Choti Kashi" or "Kashi of Himachal" as it is dotted with around 81 temples. From the sparkling Rewalsar Lake to the appealing Mata Kua Rani Temple, Mandi, the Varanasi of Hills, has no dearth of places that can provide relief to both the mind and soul. The city has a remarkable collection of religious sites that draws inspiration from a variety of religious denominations. Mandi is revered by people of Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist community. Mandi is a beautiful yet an unusual destination of Himachal Pradesh. The town curls around the holy Rewalsar Lake which is said to have appeared when the king of Mandi tried to kill Guru Padmasambhava when he got to know that his daughter Mandarava is running off with him. On the bank of the lake is the 12 m-high statue of Padmasambhava, which is the main attraction of the place. People even say that Guru Padmasambhava's (Guru Rinpoche) spirit resides in this lake in the form of a tiny reed flowing in the river and that it why the lake is sacred to all the Tibetans. There are more than 300 temples in Mandi which are dedicated to Hindu god and goddesses. The most famous amongst them is the Bhootnath Temple, which was built here in 1520. Another famous shrine is the temple devoted to Shikari Devi, which is located at an elevation of 11500 ft above sea level. Mandi is also renowned for the Gurudwara which is dedicated to the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwara was built in 1930 to honor Guru Gobind Singh ji's visit in 1738 to Rewalsar. Mandi is renowned for its Shivratri celebration, which takes place here in the month of March. The town is small and authentically mystic! For those who love to enjoy the landscapes than Mandi is the place to be. Here, tourists can enjoy activities like trekking, night safari, mountaineering, skiing, etc. For wildlife enthusiasts, there is the famous Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to multiple species of animals including leopard, Goral, monal, black bear, barking deer, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, cat, and the Himalayan palm civet. On a trip to Mandi, immerse yourself in Himachal Pradesh's religious heritage and humanitarian culture. Mandi is an important pilgrimage site for travellers from all over the world. If a tourist wants to step away from the city for a quiet getaway, then they must include Mandi in their Himachal tour guid

Indira Shopping Complex

Indira Shopping Complex

The historically eminent, spiritually significant and amazingly panoramic Mandi is spread out along the banks of River Beas. A commercial hub and a former capital of the princely state, the heritage town retains its historic charm and character. The town was founded in 1526 AD and at the creation of Himachal Pradesh on 15 April, 1948 it made the district headquarter by merger of the princely states of Mandi and Suket. Besides the river ghats and among the town’s streets are over 80 stone built temples that are decorated with religious motifs and well chiselled idols of gods and goddesses. Lord Shiva as the main deity of Bhootnath, Trilokinath, Panchvaktra and other important temples has ordained Mandi as the ‘Varanasi of the Hills’ as ‘Choti Kashi’. For its temple architecture, old palace and rich traditions, Mandi is so often considered as the cultural capital of the state. A weeklong festival of Shivratri, held every year in February-March, is when the entire town wears a decorative look. Over 200 village deities (Devtas) with their followers from near and far visit Mandi for Shivratri where stalls laden with local merchandise are set up; exhibitions, sporting events and entertaining cultural programmes in the evenings are held to complete the festive moments of the fair. Language spoken: Hindi, Punjabi and English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade. Residents of Mandi usually use Mandyali, the local dialect, in their every day communication. Clothing essentials: In summer, Mandi can get hot and sticky like the Indian plains, making cotton clothing the preferred choice, but in winter the mercury can dip to sub 5-degree Celsius and heavy woollen clothing is essential.

Shopping in Mandi

Mandi is best known for its local handicrafts which also includes the silver jewelery. One can take back these handicrafts as a souvenir back home. Among the important shopping areas are Indira Shopping Complex, New Sarika Shopping Complex, RCM Shopping Point, Sunkan Garden Shopping Complex.

Shopping in Mandi
Kamlah Fort

Kamlah Fort

Situated almost 80 km from Mandi city, this fort is stands proudly on Sikandar Dhar ranges. Built by Raja Suraj Sen in 1625, it stands hovering at a height of 4772 meters. With its entrance present almost in form of a maze, the landscape around is lush green and picture perfect. Do visit this place if you're a history fanatic.

Kamru Nag Lake

A famous trekking path all around and situated at the height of 3334 m, Kamru Nag Lake lies on the Mandi-Karsog road and serves as arresting place for trekkers. Bounded by snow covered Dhauladhar and the Bahl Valley, this place will leave you completely bewitched. A Kamru Nag Temple in the proximity to the lake is flanked by thick cover of lush green forest.

Kamru Nag Lake
Bhutnath temple

Bhutnath temple

The spirituality of this temple dates back to 1520s and is as old as the town itself. Located almost at the center of the town, the temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Pilgrims will find Nandi or Lord Shiva's bull facing the ornamental arch entrance to the complex. The Shivaratri festival celebrated in the month of March is a major event of this temple and town.

Sunder Nagar

Sunder Nagar was formerly a Princely state known as Suket. The fascinating beauty of this small town is embraced by the man-made lake produced by the waters of Beas-Sutlej Project. This project is India's Biggest Hydel Project. It is known for its shady and high towering trees. The green beauty is perfect for a winter as well as summer get away. It might be a small town but visiting here will surely sooth your mind and soul. The glory of its soil speaks of the traditional heritage of the place. The temples represent the rich culture of the area; the most visited being Mahamaya Temple. Sunder Nagar was once the jail of Mandi, but today it is a municipal council of the Mandi District. The place is quite peaceful and has a good number of locations ushering scenic beauty. It is a blessed town with natural beauty. Perched at an altitude of 1174 ms, the small town has a lot to offer.

Sunder Nagar
Tattapani

Tattapani

A popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh, Tattapani is a quaint village located 60 kms away from Shimla. Situated on the banks of river Sutlej, it treasures several attractions lying amid nature in its best form. It is famous for its Hot sulphur spring that is believed to have curative properties for health ailments like stress, joint pain, fatigue and other skin diseases. On asking the locals, you can always get to hear about the must-visit spots of the destination being - Shiva's Cave. Located 3.5 km from the town centre, Shiva's Caves are famous for its tales of miracles and fulfilment of vows and wishes of its devotees. You can also bask yourself in the adventurous sports of White River rafting, Zorbing, Skiing, Paragliding, Trekking and Camping in Tattapani.

Pandoh Dam

Pandoh Dam is an embankment Dam that lies in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Constructed on Beas River, the primary purpose of Pandoh Dam is hydroelectric power generation. It was commissioned in 1977 and is located at a distance of 10 km from Manali. The man-made lake created by the dam draws a good number of people towards it. Vacationers travelling to Manali get a perfect location near the dam to click great pictures as the location is highly picturesque and full of lush greenery. If you want to see the view of the water flowing, you need to reach there at the right time. The sight of water being released is fantastic and is a treat for your eyes. Also, you can lay your eyes upon the lovely water birds into the greenish blue waters of the dam. Rafting is another favourite activity here, usually done in the lower bed. Being a part of a run-of-the-river power design, the Pandoh Dam diverts water from Beas to southwest through a channel of tunnels which are 38 km long. Before it is discharged into the Sutlej River, the water of the dam is used for power generation at the Dehar Power House (with a capacity of 990 MW). The dam is under Bhakra Beas Management Board. The road that goes from over the dam is NH 21. Pandoh Dam is often flocked by tourists due to a plethora of attractions situated nearby. Some of the nearby attractions include River Beas, Hadimba Temple, Solang-Nullah, Beas Kund, Jogini waterfalls, Solang Valley, Manikaran Sahib and the Naggar Castle. Pandoh Dam and Lake together attracts a lot of visitors due to their virgin beauty that comprises of emerald green waters nestled amidst the pine forests. The surrounding area of the dam is somewhat isolated and hence provides the necessary tranquillity and serenity to the visitors. The place is an ideal spot for picnics and is much cherished by families and kids. The picturesque setting gives the feel of an island to the visitors. You can sunbath here or splash some fresh water and have fun and frolic with your loved ones. It is one of the best camping sites in Himachal. However, the government is yet to explore this facility here.

Pandoh Dam
Rewalsar Lake

Rewalsar Lake

Rewalsar Lake is also known as the Tso Pema Lotus Lake and is a mid-altitude lake located on a mountain spur in Mandi district, about 23 kilometres to the south of the town of Mandi. This mountain spur is protected by a variety of dense vegetation and plants, and the lake is particularly well known for its floating islands of reed. It is believed that all of these islands can be moved by prayer or breeze. The tranquillity and serenity that this place offers make it a popular tourist spot, and one of the most famous lakes in Himachal Pradesh that tourists should not miss out on. This square-shaped lake has a shoreline of 735 kilometres and is located at an elevation of 1,360 metres above the sea level. The mixture of water, woodland and hills at this stunning lake here exemplify the wilderness of nature and are indeed a sight to behold. The unending sparkling beauty of the Rewalsar Lake and its surrounding are breathtaking.

Prashar Lake

One of the most offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh, Prashar Lake is a crystal clear water body situated about 50 km north of Mandi, with a three-storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The lake is located at the height of 2730 m above sea level with deep blue waters and holds a saintly position there. Bounded by mighty Dhauladhar ranges in Kullu Valley, the place is full of mystic charm. It is surrounded by snow-topped peaks and looks down on the fast flowing river Beas. The temple was built in the thirteenth century, and its construction comes under the light of a vague myth. The lake has a floating island in it, and its actual depth is unclear. Its lush green valleys, interspersed with rivers and lakes offer one of the most scenic and enjoyable trekking experiences. If you want to make some memories which are to be etched forever then visiting Parashar Lake is a must. The lake is frozen in winters but dazzles throughout the remaining year. Other than its charismatic beauty the lake is famed for its three-storied temples. It is nestled with tall cedar trees and forms a perfect location for a calming vacation, away from the hustle-bustle of the city. It is also known as the bird's eye as when seen from above it resembles the same.

Prashar Lake
Bring out the foodie in you at the Topchen Restaurant

Bring out the foodie in you at the Topchen Restaurant

Indulging in the local cuisines which is also one of the best things to do in Mandi is one thing you definitely cannot miss out. If you wish to try something different from the usual vegetarian or non-vegetarian cuisines, then this restaurant is indeed the right place to visit. Famous for its momos & thukpa, this place will not only treat your taste buds but also give you a glimpse of the Tibetan culture around. Location: Rewalsar, Himachal Pradesh

Stop by at the famous Himachal Darshan Photo Gallery

If you are still wondering what to do in Mandi, India apart from indulging in all the above adventures, you definitely need to stop by at this popular photo gallery. A very distinguished place, the Himachal Darshan Photo Gallery is the perfect place to treat the photography enthusiast in you and learn about Himachal’s history & culture. Entry Fees: NA Timings: NA Location: Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, India (4 km from Mandi)

Stop by at the famous Himachal Darshan Photo Gallery
Spot the Himalayan Black Bear at the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary

Spot the Himalayan Black Bear at the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the most interesting things to do in Mandi also includes a visit to this sanctuary, which is located on the banks of Uhl River. This sanctuary is home to different species of birds & animals like monal, musk deer, barking deer, and more. Spotting these animals in their natural habitat here will definitely leave you amused. Just make sure you take your camera along! Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit this sanctuary is between the months of April to May and August to October. Location: Barot Village, Mandi, India

Soak in ultimate peace at the Sunken Garden

The sight of dazzling flowers and lush green plants in the Sunken garden will allure you to visit this garden time and again. And since the garden is 500 years old, it has got a lot of intriguing stories associated with it, which you can find out by interacting with the locals nearby. Apart from this, this garden is also a famous center for major activities in Mandi. Best Time To Visit: April to July is the best time to visit the garden. Entry Fees: There is no entry fee for visiting this attraction in Mandi. Timings: The park stays open for 24 hours.

Soak in ultimate peace at the Sunken Garden
Shikari Devi Temple

Shikari Devi Temple

Considered to be situated on the highest peak in the entire Mandi district, Shikari Devi Temple is a must-visit place in Himachal. Be it the roofless architecture or the 1000 steps that are steep enough to climb, this temple has got a lot that will leave you amazed. Apart from taking the blessings of the ‘Hunter Goddess’, you can also enjoy the mystical aura that surrounds the temple.

Prashar Lake Trek

One of the most offbeat places in Himachal Pradesh, Prashar Lake is a crystal clear water body situated about 50 km north of Mandi, with a three-storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The lake is located at the height of 2730 m above sea level with deep blue waters and holds a saintly position there. Bounded by mighty Dhauladhar ranges in Kullu Valley, the place is full of mystic charm. It is surrounded by snow-topped peaks and looks down on the fast flowing river Beas. The temple was built in the thirteenth century, and its construction comes under the light of a vague myth. The lake has a floating island in it, and its actual depth is unclear. Its lush green valleys, interspersed with rivers and lakes offer one of the most scenic and enjoyable trekking experiences. If you want to make some memories which are to be etched forever then visiting Parashar Lake is a must. The lake is frozen in winters but dazzles throughout the remaining year. Other than its charismatic beauty the lake is famed for its three-storied temples. It is nestled with tall cedar trees and forms a perfect location for a calming vacation, away from the hustle-bustle of the city. It is also known as the bird's eye as when seen from above it resembles the same

Prashar Lake Trek

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