Mandi

The historic town of Mandi (800 m) is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre, and the sage Mandvya is said to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Today, it is a district head quarters.

mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enoemous range of fine carving- and is often called the `Varanasi of the Hills'. The town also has the remains of old palaces and notable examples of `colonical' architecture. Mandi is the gateway to the Kullu vally and acts as the base for several exciting excursions.

How to get there :

The nearest airport is at Bhuntar 59 away. The broadguage railhead is at Pathankot, a distance of 210 km from Pathankot the meter gauge raiway connects Jogindernagar which is 55 km from Mandi. from Chandigarh one can drive directly to Mandi via Ropar and Bilaspur, the distance is 203 km- the drive takes around 5 hours. Luxury buses from Delhi and Shimla, and bound for Kulu-Mandi go via Mandi.

CLIMATE :

In winter, tempertures can hover arround freezing point when heavy woollens are required. During summer, the climate is hot and cottons are recommended.

Places of interest in and around Mandi

Bhootnath Temple

Practically synonymous with Mandi and located in its very heart, this is as old as the town itself and dates back to the 1520s. In March, the festival of Shivratri is a major event and the Bhootnath temple is its focus. For an entire week the town celebrates the arrival of hundreds of local deities on elaborately decorated palanquins.

Syamakali Temple

Also called the temple of Terna Devi, this is high on Tarna Hill which rises above the town. In the 17th century this was built by Raja Syama Sen after a particularly trying time when the goddess gave him sucess.

Other temple in Mandi Town :

Within the town is a veritable roll-call of shrines. Apart from the emotions they evoke, they also have a wealth of classical architecture and ornate sculpture. Many of these are developed to Lord Shiva, at the Triloknath temple he is depicted as the lord of the three worlds, at the Panchvaktra he has five faces, expressing his five aspects. At the Ardhanarisvara temple, Lord Shiva appears in a composite from with the right half as male and the left half as female- symbolising the male and female principles of cosmic evolution. There are several exquisite temples alnong the College Road, and the banks of the Beas are links with many more. At the Gyarah Rudra temple, the day the famous `Amamath darshan' takes place, the temple is decorated to resemble the Amarnath cave.

The other places of interest within Mandi are the Rani Amri Kaur Park, the District Library Building and the Empres Bridge.

Sundernagar (1175 m)

22 km from Mandi is this attractive town where the balancing reservoir of the Beas- Sutlej link cancel is located. The road has the canal on one side and lush green fields on the other which makes driving along it a real pleasure. The Mahamaya temple is atop a hill.

Prashar lake (2730 m)

40 km north of Mandi is this beautiful lake, with a three storeyed pagoda like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar.

Kamlah Fort

On the border with Hamirpur, this fort was built by Raja Suraj Sen of Mandi in 1625.

Janheli (2200 m)

67 km from Mandi this is ascenic place with thick forests and springs.

It is also the base of some excellent treks.

Pandoh :

16 km from Mandi, an earth and rock rock fill dam is located here.

Shikari Devi (2850 m)

15 km from Janjheli there is an ancient temple here - and some marvellous landscapes.

Shopping a variety of traditional handicrafts including silver jewellery and stone carvings can be purchased at Mandi.

Rewalsar :

Located on a mountain spur, an hour's drive from Mandi brings you to this dark jewel like lake. With water, woodland and hingh hills, it presents a variety of natural beauty and the spot is sacreds for Hindus, Budhists and Sikhs. It was from here that the great Indian teacher and `tantric', Padmasabhava left for `Tibet. Known to the Tibetans as Guru Rimpoche, the Precious Master, it was under Padmasambahava's influence that Mahayana Buddhism spread over Tibet. There are islands of floating read on Rewalsar Lake and the spirit of Padmasabhava is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lamas did penance in devotaion to Lord Shiva and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh also resided here for one month. The Sisu fair held in late Fabruary/early March, and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsar.

How to Get there

Rewalsar is 24 km by road from Mandi. Taxies and buses are availabele at Mandi.

Climate

In winter the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woollens are required. During summer, the climate is mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.

Monasteries

At opposite ends of the lake there are two Tibetan monasteries. Ihe Bhutanese also have one.

Gurudwara

This gurudwara was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. It commemorates Guru Gobind Singh's visit, when he sought to evolve a common strategy with the hill rulers against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Temples

At Rewalsar there are three Hindu temples. These are dedicated to the sage Lomas, to Lord Krishna and to Lord Shiva.

Mini zoo

`Me forest department maintains a small zoo at Rewalsar. Above Rewalsar, the `Seven Lakes' are also of interest.

JOGINDER NAGAR

In 1925, the enterprising Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi created an elaborate hydel power scheme near the village of Sukrahatti which was then renamed Jogindernagar (1220 m) after him. After tunnelling and piping the water over several kilometers from the river Uhl toJogindemagar, the Shanan powerhouse was built by a team of engineers headed by Col. Battye. Later, the HP State Electricity Board added another set of turbines at nearby Bassi.

Jogindernagar has everything for a quiet and relaxing holiday and leaves options open for trekking, fishing, sightseeing, picnics and enjoyable drives in the area.

HOW TO GET THERE

Jogindernagar is the terminus of the narrow gauge rail track trom Pathankot. It is 65 km by road from Kangra and 55 kni from Mandi. The nearest airports are at Gaggal (Kangra), and from the one at Bhuntar near Kullu the distance is 110 km. Taxis and buses to Jogindemagar are available at all major stations.

CLIMATE

In winter the temperature can hoverjust above freezing point when heavy woollens are required. During summer, the climate is mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.

Places of interest in and around Jogindernagar

Macchiyal Lake

6krn from the Hotel Uhl is this small but enchanting lake held sacred to `Machendru Devta'.

Bassi Power House

6 kin from the hotel, this forms the second phase of the Jogindernagar power generation shceme. It is as attractive picnic spot.

Bir

16 km from Jogindernagar, this is a Tibetan settlement with a beautiful monastery.

Baijnath

23 km from Jogindemagar is this exquisite temple where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vaidyanath `The Lord of Physicians'. The original temple was built in 804 A.D. Hero king Ravana is said to have supplicated Lord Shiva for the boon of immortality.

Jhatingri (2130 m)

12 km from Jogindernagar is this enchanting spot atop a hill. Surrounded by a thick deodar forest, the ruins of the summer palace of the Mandi rulers is located here. And the vistas it unfolds are breath taking.

Barot(1830 m)

40 km by road from Jogindernagar, and 12 km by the haulage trolley, Barot packs an enormous range of out door activity. The reservoir of the power project is located here, and there is a trout breeding centremaking it a wonderful place for angling. Across the river Uhl is the Nargu wild life sanct~ary home to the ghoral, Himalayan black bear and a variety of pheasants.