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Location:
Himachal Pradesh
Altitude: 800m
Main Attraction: Shivratri Festival
Best Time To Visit: May To October.
About Mandi
Built along the Beas river is the historic town of Mandi, the gateway to the
Kullu valley. Literally meaning market, Mandi was on the salt route to Tibet. This
place offers better option to break journey to the Kullu valley.
A district headquarter, Mandi is also renowned for its 81 old stone
temples with exquisite carvings, thereby earning it the title of
'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town also has some remains of old palaces
and notable examples of the 'colonial' architecture.
The Shivaratri Bhutnath celebrations in the Bhutnath
temple attract tourists every year in large numbers.
There are also two lakes near Mandi, which provide a good breather for
the visitor. About five kms from the main town is the Tarana hills and
on the top of the hill is Rani Amrit Kaur Park. From here one gets
very good view of the nearby areas. The park has enclosed the Syama
Kali temple, which was, built some where in the 17th century.
In the days of yore, the pious sage, Mandavaya, performed long and
severe penance and practised unthinkable austerities on his body, on
the right bank of the river Beas, near the present town, which, then
took his name.
TO stay
The town has many hotels but the perfect place to stay is Ramshackle
Raj Mahal, overlooking the Town Square is a period-furnished palace
with a good restaurant. For a bit more comfort try Evening Plaza, Vyas
Guest House and the Arayan Bungalow.
Hotels:
Check For Best Deals to Stay in Mandi & Restaurants in Mandi
Shopping
In town look for good handicrafts near Bhutnath temple and in Seri
Bazaar. Mandi raw silk has acquired wide fame.
CLIMATE
In winter, the temperature can however around freezing point when
heavy woollen clothes are required. During summer, the climate is hot
and cottons are recommended.
GETTING THERE
Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar about 57-km from Mandi.
Rail: The broad gauge railhead is at Pathankot, a distance of
210-km. From Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder
Nagar, which is 55-km from Mandi.
Road: Mandi is well connected by road to other places. The
main bus stand is just above an open playing field, where the National
Highway- 21 continues along the left bank of river to Pandoh.
Tourist Attractions in Mandi
Triloknath Shiva Temple
It is built in the Nagari style with
a tiled roof. The temple at the centre of a group of sculpted stones
shrines, overlooks the river and offers good views. Inside the temple,
Lord Shiva has been depicted as the lord of the three worlds, at the
Panchvakhra he has five faces, expressing his five aspects.
Bhutnath Temple
Practically synonymous with Mandi and located
in its very heart, this temple is as old as the town itself, dating
back to the 1520's. It has a Nandi or god Shiva's bull facing the
ornamental double arch to the sanctuary. The modern shrines nearby are
brightly painted. In the month of March, the festival of Shivratri is
a major event and Bhootnath Temple is its focus.
Syamakali Temple
Also known as the Tarna Devi Temple, this
temple is situated on the Tarna Hill, which rises above the town. Raja
Syama Sen built the temple in the 17th century after a particularly
trying time when the goddess gave him success.
Ardhanarishvara
Temple
This 7th century specimen of temple
architecture, enclosed structure of Lord Shiva in a composite form
with the right half as male and the left half as female- symbolising
the male and female principles of cosmic evolution.
Revalsar
Lake
About 25-km from Mandi, and 14-km from Ner
Chowk is the Revalsar lake, famous for its seven floating islands of
reed. It is maintained that all seven of them can be moved by prayer
or breeze. Here are three shrines - a Buddhist monastery, where
elaborate rituals are performed, a Sikh gurudwara and a Hindu temple.
It was from this place that the Sage Padma Sambhava, a zealous teacher
of Buddhism, left as a missionary to preach the doctrine of "The
Enlightened" in Tibet.
Shivaratri
In February-March, Shivaratri fair is held in Mandi. In weeklong
celebrations, full of music and dance, temple deities from hills and
around are taken in procession with chariots and palanquins to visit
the Madho Rai and Bhutnath temples.
Shivratri Fair
The town of Mandi with its ancient temples revels in the Shivratri
fair for a whole week.
On elaborately decorated palanquins, hundred of local deities are
carried to the town. Accompanied by folk bands, they make their first
stop at the 'Madho Rai' temple and then go to pay obeisance to Lord
Shiva at the Bhootnath temple.
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