Mandi Tourism, Mandi Hotels, Tourism in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India

Mandi is situated on the banks of the river Beas. It has a rich culture and history represented by its temples which are a major tourists draw. Mandi is a city and a municipal corporation in District Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Mandi is an important trading centre situated on the Pathankot-Kullu road. The town is also the gateway to Himachal's most famous valleys - Kullu, Manali, Lahaul and Spiti. Mandi is also on the Kullu-Shimla road via Bilaspur. It is the headquarter of the district. The entire town has a huge sprinkling of temples.

Mandi has numerous famous places to visit around i.e. Janjehli, Tattapni, Jogindernagar, Sundernagar, Barot and Chiddi. Sundernagar has Asia's biggest Hydel Project generation electricity for the country. Barot is a nice picnic spot. Tattapani has a natural sulphur spring which is pure and has curative power for various kings of bodily ailments. Janjehli is a paradise for hikers, offering treks up to a height of 3,300 metres.

Tourism in Mandi offers some very beautiful temples to visit around i.e. Prashar temple, Rewalsar, Shikari Devi temple. Prashar Temple is situated at a height of 2,730 meters above sea level, this small temple dating back to 14th century stands on the bank of a lake, which has floating circular island. This area is a natural paradise. The Shikari Devi temple is situated at a height of 3332 meters and provides a panoramic view of surrounding areas. Captivating sunrise and sunset from the temple is soul stirring. A number of fairs and festivals are celebrated in Mandi i.e. Shivratri fair, Sayar fair, Shivratri festival and Nawala festival.

There are some very beautiful lakes to visit around Mandi i.e. Prashar lake, Rewalsar lake, Sukhsar lake, Kalasar lake, Kunt Bhayog lake, Kamru Nag lake. Prashar lake is situated in a cup like valley. A temple of great scenic beauty is also situated here. There are a number of wildlife sanctuaries in Mandi i.e. Nargu sanctuary, Shikari Devi sanctuary and Bundli sanctuary. The overall weather of Mandi is pleasant throughout the year and so Mandi can be visited in most of the seasons.

Mandi with its beautiful surrounding areas, beautiful towns, charming and religious places like Prashar and Rewalsar is a good destination for tourists. Mandi is a gateway to Kullu and Manali ans so one can spend a day or two at Mandi with relative ease. It is a fine tourist place in Himachal.

Janjehli :
At a distance of 67 k.m. from Mandi,Janjehli is a paradise for hikers, offering treks up to a height of 3,300 metres. After covering 32 k.m. by a motorable road up to Gohar and rest of the journey is on foot. In the midest of thick forest, forests (15 km from Gohar) is Bajahi.There is a beautiful and well furnished rest house to stay overnight, from here Janjehli is a scant 20 km away through bridle path.

Tattapani :
Resting deep in a scenic valley and surrounded by hills. It is located on the right bank of river Satluj at an altitude of 656 meters. This natural sulphur spring is pure and has curative power for various kings of bodily ailments. The water level of the spring keeps changing with the fluctuation in the water level of the river. Tatta-pani means hot water.

Jogindernagar :
( 57 km. ) Jogindernagar is the terminus of narrow gauge line from Pathankot-Jogindernagar. A journey from Jogindernagar to Barot in the interior of Mandi district, on the haulage trolley is thrilling. Bassi power station is 5 km. and next to it is 'Macchial' considered to be a sacred spot. It is worth a visit on account of Shanan Hydel Project built by the Britishers Pandoh Dam, Slapper Hydel Project, Rock Salt Mines at Gumma and Darang are other attractions around the main town.

Sundernagar :
Beautifully fertile valley receives the tired traveler with open arms at a distance of 25 km from Mandi on the National Highway. Waters of two giant rivers - Beas and Satluj have been wedded here to give birth to Asia's biggest Hydel Project generation electricity for the country. Devi Temple, Sukhdev Vatika and the temple of Mahamaya are the well known places of worship.

Barot :
A nice picnic spot situated at a distance of 33 km. from Mandi on Mandi - Pathankot Highway. It is famous for Trout Fishing and a ropeway that attracts the Tourist.

Chiddi :
This little hamlet in an apple growing area is blessed with breathtaking beauty. There are numerous small temples of considerable antiquity not too far away. Chindi, easily approachable via Tatta Pani from Shimla. It is 107 km. from Mandi.

Prashar Temple :
Spectacularly situated at a height of 2,730 metres above sea level, this small temple dating back to 14th centuary stands on the bank of a lake, which has floating circular island. It is 35 km. from Mandi town. With deep blue waters, this beautiful lake is held sacred to the sage Prashar (rishi). A three-tiered Pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage lies by the lake - and he is regarded to have meditated here. No other temple in the Western Himalayas can rival the grandeur of the settings of Prashar Rishi. A fair is held here in the in the month of June every year, where people gather from all neighbouring villages. This lake is fed by small mountain streams.

Rewalsar :
The pilgrimage centre revered equally by the Hindus, the Sikhs and the Buddhist alike. Rewalsar in Mandi district is about 20 km. from Mandi town. A natural lake with floating islands on it are a unique attraction of the lake one can see the Shiva temple, the Guru Gobind Singh's Gurudwara and Buddhist Monastery. The Hindus believe that it was here that the 'Lomas Rishi' held his penance in devotion to lord Shiva. Overwhelmed, Shiva gave the rishi, the seven floating islands in reward. This is a very sacred place. Other famous temples are Bhutnath and Triloknath.

Shikari Devi Temple :
Tranquility for trekkers at a height of 3,332 metres above sea level. Captivating sunrise and sunset from the temple is soul stirring. You can reach the place from Karsog via Bakrot ( Chindi ) or via Gohar ( Budhakedar ). This is very beautiful place and provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area. One can easily feel sitting on top of the world here.

Prashar Lake :
This beautiful lake is situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above mean sea level and is around 35 km. from the Mandi town. This lake is situated in a cup like valley. A temple of great scenic beauty is also here. With deep blue waters, this beautiful lake is held sacred to the sage Prashar (rishi). A three-tiered Pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage lies by the lake - and he is regarded to have meditated here. No other temple in the Western Himalayas can rival the grandeur of the settings of Prashar Rishi. A fair is held here in the in the month of June every year, where people gather from all neighbouring villages. This lake is fed by small mountain streams.

Rewalsar Lake :
This lake is situated at an altitude of 1360 meters above mean sea level and is 24 km. from Mandi town. The lake is also associated with Nag cult or serpent worshipping. The lake water is believed to be flowing underground from Rewalsar to 'Nagchala' ( a place 10 km from Mandi on the Mandi-Shimla National Highway ). The Hindus believe that it was here that the 'Lomas Rishi' held his penance in devotion to lord Shiva. Overwhelmed, Shiva gave the rishi, the seven floating islands in reward. This is a very sacred place.

Shaped quite like a square and with a shoreline of 735 meters. It is an important pilgrimage. This lake is known for its floating island. There is a story behind the formation of this lake. The legend goes that princess Mandarva, the daughter of king 'Arshadhara' of Zahor ( tibetian name of Mandi ) resolved to announce her loyal ties and dedicated herself to the religious order. The king agreed and she took her bows before a Buddhist scholar named 'Shantarakshita' ( believed to be the brother of Padmasambhava ). Padmasambhava having observed that she was a dedicated pupil, came through the air from 'Uddiyana' and appeared in person to give her teachings. A cowherd who saw all this spread the words that he had seen the princes with Charlatan. The news aroused King's wrath. He thought that his daughter has broken the vow by flirting with a man. On King's order, the princess was put in a deephole in the earth full of thorns and Padmasambhava was taken out to a secluded place, tied to a wooden pyre which was then set on fire. When the smoke did not clearoff for a week, the King visited the spot and found to his surprise that the place had turned into a Lake with Lotus in the centre. Padmasambhava had menifested himself. Repenting king offered him his kingdom and princess Mandarva was married to him. Rewalsar is known as 'Padmacan' to the Buddhist which means 'Lotus Possessing' and is considered the place, where the spirit of Padmasambhava rests.

Sukhsar Lake :
Another beautiful lake on the hiltop of Rewalsar town is Sukhsar lake which is surrounded by rising hills and thick bushy vegetation in the catchment area. There is a snowfall in the winter here.

Kalasar Lake :
It is situated at the top of Rewalsar town and is surrounded by beautiful green hills. This lake sometimes experiences snowfall during winter.

Kunt Bhayog Lake :
Situated at the beautiful hiltop of Rewalsar town and it is enclosed by hills from two sides. This lake is about 12 to 15 m deep at the centre

Kamru Nag Lake :
Resting resort for trekkers at a height of 3,334 metres above sea level on Mandi - Karsog road.

Nargu Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 970 meters to 4034 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1380 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from -5 to 20°C.
Area : 27,837 hectares ( 278.37 sq. km. ).
Location : nearest town is Mandi.
Approaches : Mandi to inside sanctuary.

It was first notified as a sanctuary in 1962 and re-notified on 27th March 1974. The sanctuary has a heavily degraded area which has only a few good patches of wild life habitat left in its higher, inaccessible reaches. This sanctuary in among the most densely populated sanctuaries in Himachal. Towards the South-East, it adjoins Khokhan sanctuaty.

Flora
Forest types include sub-tropical pine, Ban Oak, Moru Oak, Moist Deodar, western mixed Coniferous, moist temperate Deciduous, Kharsu Oak and sub Alpine forests.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, barking Deer, Goral, Indian Hare, common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan yellow throated, stone Marten, Indian Porcupine, common giant flying Squirrel and Hhimalayan Weasel.

Shikari Devi Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 1800 meters to 3369 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1038 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from -10 to 30°C.
Area : 7200 hectares ( 72 sq. km. ).
Location : nearest town is Sundernagar.
Approaches : Mandi to Sundernagar to inside sanctuary.

It was first notified as a sanctuary in 1962 and re-notified on 27th March 1974. This sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, to whom a temple situated within the sanctuary is dedicated. Captivating sunrise and sunset from the temple is soul stirring. You can reach the place from Karsog via Bakrot ( Chindi ) or via Gohar ( Budhakedar ). This is very beautiful place and provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area. One can easily feel sitting on top of the world here.

Flora
Forest types include Ban Oak, western mixed Coniferous, Kharsu Oak, west Himalayan upper Oak, Moist temperate Deciduous forest, sub Alpine pastures.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Himalayan Black Bear, cat Leopard, Himalayan Palm Civet, barking Deer, Musk Deer, Goral, common Langur, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Marten, Indian Porcupine, Kashmiri flying and common Squirrel.

Bandli Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 762 meters to 2160 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1524 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from 1 to 35°C.
Area : 4133 hectares ( 41.33 sq. km. ).
Location : 7 km. from Sundernagar town.
Approaches : Mandi to Sundernagar to inside sanctuary.

It was first notified as a sanctuary in 1962 and re-notified on 27th March 1974. The area was earlier a protected forest. A heavily disturbed sanctuary with a small population of Chir Pheasant and Leopard.

Flora
Forest types include Himalayan sub-tropical Pine forest, Ban Oak forest and Chir Pine forest.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Himalayan Black Bear, common Palm Civet, Himalayan Palm Civet, barking Deer, Goral, Indian Hare, common Langur, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Rhesus Macaque, common Mongoose and Indian Porcupine.

Fairs in Mandi

Shivratri Fair :
This fair is held in the month of February on Shivratri day in Mandi. Shiva is the chief deity of Himachal Pradesh. This festival is given the greatest importance even in temples all through Himachal Pradesh. This fair continues for a week, with great fun and frolic.On this occasion people bring hundreds of Gods and Goddesses in their Raths. Devotees carry them on shoulders amidst melodious religious songs. People pay their homage to Lord Shiva at famous temple of Bhut Nath in Mandi town. It is a state fair.

Sayar Fair :
It is a famous fair observed in the month of September at a number of places such as Bakloh in Kangra, Karsog in Mandi, and Subathu in Shimla.

Festivals in Mandi

Shivratri Festival :
It is celebrated in the month of February. The western part of India is influenced greatly by the mythology of Lord Shiva. This festival is given the greatest importance even in temples. Some people keep fast on this day. Images of Lord Shiva and Parvati are made from cowdung or earth soil for worshipping. Songs in praise of Shiva and Parvati are sung. This is the festival of great significance in the life of hill people. Shivratri of Mandi ranks above all in Western Himalayas. Mandi town is tastefully decorated and thousands of hill fork arrived in their traditional dresses participate in the fair.

Nawala Festival :
Gaddis of Kangra, Chamba, Mandi and Kullu celebrate this festival, when a household individually collects enough money for celebration. Nawala, in fact, is a thanks giving ceremony to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped at the time of misfortune and clamiti. Devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva are sung throughout the night.