​ andi town: This historic town was the capital of the former

M
princely state of Mandi and now it is the district headquarters of
Mandi district. Along the banks of river Beas, the town is situated
in a somewhat plain valley surrounded by hill ranges at an altitude
of about 800 metres. It is considered as the gateway of Kullu and
Manali. Mandi town has long been an important commercial
centre. It is connected with Shimla, Kullu, Pathankot and
Chandigarh and all the tahsils/sub-tahsils of the district by road.
Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its
original charm and character.
wn for its old stone temples depicting a range of fine carvings.
Bhutnath temple is practically synonymous with Mandi. It is
located in the heart of the town and is as old as the town itself. In
March, the festival of Shivratri is a major event and the Bhutnath
temple is its focus. For an entire week, the town celebrates the
arrival of hundreds of local deities on elaborately decorated
palanquins. The Tarna Devi temple, which is also known as
Shamkali temple, is located on Tarna hill, which rises above the
town. This temple was built by Raja Shyam Sen in 17th century.
Besides these two temples, there are a number of other temples
and shrines in the town that have a wealth of classical architecture
and ornate sculpture. Many of these are devoted to Lord Shiva, at
Triloknath temple he is depicted as the lord of three worlds; at the
Panchvaktra he has five faces expressing his five aspects. At the
Ardhanarisvara temple, Lord Shiva appears in a composite form
with the right half as male and left half as female-symbolising the
male and female principles of cosmic evolution. There are several
exquisite temples along the college road and the banks of the Beas
are lined with many more. At Gyarah Rudra temple, the day the
famous ‘Amarnath darshan’ takes place; the temple is decorated to
resemble the Amarnath cave. The other places of interest within
Mandi are the Rani Amrit Kaur Park, the district library building
and the empress bridge.

Rewalsar: Rewalsar is located at a distance of 24 kms. in south-west

from Mandi. This place is sacred for Hindus, Buddhist and Sikhs.
Located on a mountain spur at an altitude of about 1,300 metres,
Rewalsar presents a variety of natural beauty. It has a dark jewel-
like lake, green woodland and high hills. It is said that it was from
here that the great Indian teacher and ‘tantric’, Padma Sambhava
left for Tibet. Known to the Tibetans as Guru Rimpoche, the
Precious Master, it was under Padma Sambhava’s influence that
Mahayan Buddhism spread over Tibet.
There is a saying that islands of floating reed in Rewalsar Lake and
the spirit of Padma Sambhava is said to reside in them. But now we
don’t see any floating islands in this lake. It is here that the sage
Lomas did penance in devotion to Lord Shiva and the Sikh Guru
Govind Singh also resided here for one month. The Chheshu fair
held in February/March and the festival of Baisakhi is important
event of Rewalsar. At opposite ends of Rewalsar Lake there are two
Tibetan monasteries. The Bhutanese also have one Gurudwara at
Rewalsar was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. It
commemorates Guru Govind Singh’s visit, where he sought to
evolve a common strategy with the hill rulers against the Mughal
emperor Aurangzeb. At Rewalsar there are three Hindu temples.
These are dedicated to sage Lomas, to Lord Krishna and to Lord
Shiva. Besides Rewalsar lake, there is another famous lake known
as Kunhbhi lake located at a distance of about 5 kms. from
Rewalsar on Mandi-Dharmpur road. The forest department
maintains a small zoo at Rewalsar.

Kamlah Fort: Among the old forts of the erstwhile Mandi state,
Kamlah fort is more famous. It is situtated in Sarkaghat sub-
division at a distance of about 35 kms. from Sarkaghat on the
border with Hamirpur. This fort was built in 1625 A.D. by Raja
Suraj Sen of Mandi State.
Sundarnagar: This attractive town is located at a distance of 25
kms. from Mandi on ChandigarhMandi National Highway No.21.
The balancing reservoir of Beas-Satluj link canal is located in this
town. Sundarnagar was the state capital of former Suket state and
now it is the headquarters of Sundarnagar sub-division of Mandi
district.
has now developed as a modern town. It comprises of four small
bazars viz., Chatrokhari, Pungh, Purana Bazar and Bhojpur. Besides
these, new colony of Beas-Satluj Link Project complex has also
emerged which has added to its development. It is believed that
Rishi Suk Dev did his meditation at Sundarnagar. The town was
named as Suket after this great Rishi and the place where he did
meditaion is now known as Shuk Dev Vatika. Apart from this, there
is a famous temple of Goddess Mahamaya atop a hill. Thousands of
devotees visit the temple from far-flung areas to offer their prayers
to the goddess. There is also a famous temple of Mahadev located at
a distance of 3 kms. from the town in a village known as Mahadev.
Thousands of people visit this temple also to offer their prayers to
the Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
Jogindarnagar: This town is situated at a distance of 56 kms. from
Mandi at an altitude of 1,220 metres on Pathankot-Kullu road.
1925, the enterprising Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi created an
elaborate hydel power scheme near the village of Sukrahatti, which
was then renamed Jogindarnagar after him. After tunneling and
piping the water over several kilometers from the river Uhl to
Jogindarnagar, the Shanan power house was built and
commissioned in 1932. The second stage of this project was
commissioned in the year 1971 in the shape of Bassi Power house.
This is the only town in Mandi district connected with Pathankot-
Jogindarnagar narrow gauge railway line. A ride in the trolley
operated mechanically from Shanan to Wintch camp and then
down to Barot via Khooni Ghati and a visit to the electric works
and the reservoir of Barot via Haulage way is a thrilling
experience. Barot is a very beautiful place and hill resort situated
at a distance of 75 kms. from Mandi. A beautiful man-made lake
which feeds the Shanan power house and trout fish hatchery are
worth seeing places at Barot. Besides this, another place Gumma is
situated about 11 kms. away towards Mandi from Jogindarnagar
which is known for its salt quarries. Balakrupi is a famous religious
place and Karamgarh and Ahju Garh are places of historical
importance near Chauntra. Chauntra village nestled in charming
surroundings with chil pine forests and snow-clad mountains at a
distance of about 9 kms. from Jogindarnagar, is known for the
manufacturing of black and green tea.

Pandoh: Pandoh is situated 17 kms. away from Mandi on Mandi-

Kullu road. This place came into prominence with the dam, which
was constructed over the river Beas and channeling of its water in
a very long tunnel for augmenting the discharge of the Satluj for
feeding Bhakra Dam by the famous Beas Satluj Link Project. The
dam site and its beautiful natural ssurroundings make Pandoh
picturesque.
Tattapani: Tattapani is a famous place for hot water springs. It is
situated in Karsog sub-division on the right bank of river Satluj, 50
kms. away from karsog on Karsog-Shimla road and 56 kms. away
from the state capital Shimla. There is a belief that this place was
the seat of meditation of a great saint Maharishi Jamdagni, the
father of Lord Parshu Ram. The hot water springs of this place
were being used for curing gout and rheumatic pains, recently the
reservoir made for a hydro power project of Kol Dam has covered
under water most of these hot water springs.
Pangana: Pangana was the capital of the former Suket state which
was established by Raja Bir Sen during 13th century. The old places
are still in existence and there is fine well preserved fort which is
now known as Mahamaya Kot having a temple named after
Mahamaya Goddess. The village is situated in Karsog sub-division
at a distance of 25 kms. from Karsog. The fort and palace present
varied interest for the visitors from the archaeological point of
view.
Janjehli: It is situated in Thunag tahsil and this place is one of the
most picturesque of the Mandi district. The high mountainous and
lush deodar trees with dence forests accompanied with sparkling
water of Bakhli River adds to the charming beauty of this area. It is
a foot hold for trekkers to the Shikari Devi which is 20 kms. away
from this place and situated at a height of 11,550 feet from mean
sea level. Apart from trekking and resort, Shikari Devi is also a
religious place and a seat of Goddess Durga.
Kamru Nag Temple: Kamru Nag temple is a very famous religious
place in the Mandi district. It is situated in Chachyot tahsil and
connected with motorable road upto Rohanda on the Mandi-Karsog
road. Beyond it, one has to walk up to about eight kms. on bridle-
path to reach Kamru Nag temple. There is a beautiful lake laid
amidst the hills and deodar trees. A wooden temple of Kamru Nag
is built on the bank of the lake. Devotees of Kamru Nag throw their
offerings in the lake. A large number of devotees gathered here
with great enthusiasm, take bath on the first day of Ashad (June)
every year.
Barot: It is situated at a distance of 75 kms. from Mandi town at a
height of about 1,900 metres above mean sea level. It is a beautiful
hill resort and can be approached from Jogindarnagar either by
covering a distance of 18 kms. on foot or in a haulage way trolley or
by road via Jhattingri. The beautiful man-made lake which feeds
the Shanan powerhouse and trout fish hatchery are worth seeing.
The place is having a rest house, high school, dispensary and a
library.
Image: [Link]

Chauntra: It is a picturesque and lovely village about 9 kms. from

Jogindarnagar and sprawls over gentle and fertile hills. The
surroundings are charming with snow clad mountains and chil
pine forests. The village is known for the manufacture of black and
green tea.
Guma: It is situated at a distance of 46 kms. on the Baijnath-Mandi
road and is known for its salt quarries. Once it was a separate state,
but, during the times of Raja Narayan Sen it was annexed to Mandi.
Again the Raja of Kullu captured it during the reign of Raja Suraj
Sen, it was again recaptured by Raja Sidh Sen of Mandi.

Karsog: It serves the tahsil and sub-divisional headquarters by the

same name. It is situated at a distance of 129 kms. from Mandi. It is
also approachable from Shimla via Tattapani. It has a degree
college, senior secondary school, civil hospital, rest house and an
ancient temple of Lord Shiva.

Aut: It is situated on the Mandi-Kullu road about 32 kms. from

Mandi town. It is a small, but, lovely place on the right bank of the
Beas. A road to Banjar and Shimla via Jalori pass starts from this
place. There is a rest house, police out-post and an ayurvedic
dispensary.
Parasar: It is about 32 kms. north-west of Mandi town. It has a lake
with a pagoda-shaped wooden temple on its edge. This lake
contains floating islands. A large fair is also held here in the month
of June where wool and blankets are largely sold.
The district is endowed with economic resources viz agricultural
land growing of cereals, pulses, off season vegetables etc. enriched
forest products, various types of roofing slate, salt and ore mines
and perennial rivers and streams for generating powers.
The Irrigation projects have also been set up for ample supply of
water to the fields.
The district is well connected with road transport and narrow
gauge railway lines.
The main agricultural products are wheat, paddy, barley, maize,
peas, potato and off-season vegetables besides the production of
apple, temperate fruits, sub-tropical fruits, nuts and dry fruits and
citrus fruits.
The famous lakes of Rawalsar, Prasher and Kamru Nag are located
in the district.
The ‘Mandials’ are a shrewd and business-minded people.
Being situated on the trade route from Tibet to plains in the early
period, the people of this district are well awakened.
Mandiali is the principal dialect in the district.
The staple food of the people is wheat, maize and rice.
They have three meals a day; morning meal is locally called kalwar
or ‘nuhari’. Lunch is called dupehri, whereas dinner or super is
called biali.
The houses are constructed by using raw materials like soil, rocky
stone, local wood, stone coated with cement, slate and tin. Houses
are constructed of two or three storeyed.
Economically well to do households have started to build the
houses by using cement, corrugated sheets and bricks.
Special dishes or feast menu differ according to caste, class, status
and economic conditions of the households.
They celebrate various social and religious fair and festivals. In
general, the social and cultural life of the people has been quite
pleasant.
The district exports guns, which are locally made to the other
districts of the state.
The milk production is another characteristic of the district. A diary
plant at Chakkar with its five chilling centers at Bhambala,
Sidhiani, Kunnu, Kotli and Katanla are functioning in the district.
The milk is supplied to the other districts of the state. The excess
milk produced is converted into ghee and table butter during the
slack season.
The first powerhouse in the state on the hydroelectric energy was
commissioned at Jogindarnagar as Shanan Power House in 1933.
Contribution of the district
This district has given many saints, scholars, and preachers.
It is believed that the name of Mandi was derived from Mandav
Rishi who devoted his time to meditation at Kilsar, a place about
one and a half kilometres to the east of present Mandi town.
Rishi Lomas, Shuk Dev, and Prashar also traced their originity from
Mandi district.
Among the Tibetans, Mandi is known by the name of Zohar and it
has an interesting association with the great Buddhist teacher and
missionary, Padam Sambhava (AD 750-800), for it was from Zahor
or Mandi that he went at the request of the Tibetan King
Srongldebtzen to preach the doctrines of Buddhism in Tibet.
It is stated that in his Lamaist representations, Padam Sambhava
appears in the ancient Mandi garb, and the special headdress worn
by him is still called Zohorma in Tibet.
Mandi Shivratri Fair is famous for its celebration with
international fame.
The village deities from various villages of district assemble in this
fair.
The District has produced national and international famed players
like Smt. Suman Rawat Mehta, S/Shri Des Raj Sharma, and Hem
Singh who participated in international competitions and Asiad
games and won medals.
The people of the district celebrate various festivals almost round
the year. As Hindus constitute the major population of the district,
all Hindu festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Baishakhi and
Shivratri, etc. are celebrated with great pomp and show. Some of
the important fairs and festivals being celebrated in the district are
briefly hereunder:-

Shivratri fair of Mandi: Click Here to Read

Mamail fair: Click Here to Read

Mahunag Fair: Click Here to Read

Riwalsar Fair: Click Here to Read

Prashar fair is held near the lake of same name located at a

distance of about 40 kms. from Mandi town in the month of June.

Kau/Kao fair is held in the honour of Kamaksha Devi at Kau village

located at a distance of 6 kms. from Karsog in the month of June.

Kuthah fair is held in honour of Tangwasi deity at Kuthah village

located at a distance of 12 kms. from Thunag in the month of May.

Markandya Rishi Fair: Again in the month of May, a fair is held at

Bali Chowki in the honour of Markandya Rishi.

Hurang Narain Fair: In the month of July/August, a fair is held in

Hurang village in Chuhar valley in the honour of deity Hurang
Narain. This fair is known as Narkhan fair and held for three days
after every five years.

Chuhar valley Fair: In the month of April, a fair is held in the

honour of the deities of Chuhar valley at Jogindarnagar.

Nalwari Fair: However, a cattle fair is also held in the month of

March at Sundarnagar. This fair is known as Nalwar fair. In this
fair traders and farmers, mostly from Kullu and Kangra districts,
come to buy and sell bullocks and other cattles. The fair is
organized near Lindi Khad. Nalwar fair is known as a very old
cattle fair of Mandi district.
Shivratri fair of Mandi is one of the most colourful state fairs of
Himachal Pradesh.

This fair is held in the month of Phalguna (February/March) on the

Krishna Chaturdashi or the 14th day of waning moon and
continues for eight to ten days.

According to the legend, the Shivratri fair of Mandi was started by

Raja Ajber Sen 300-400 years ago at Purani Mandi.

There was no other temple of Lord Shiva except that of Trilok Nath
built by Raja Ajber Sen.

Thereafter, many Shiva temples were built in the town.

On the Shivratri day, a colourful procession is taken out.

Madhorai, the presiding deity leads the procession followed by the

Raja during the state times and by the high dignitaries after
independence.

This procession is preceded by a party of musicians who play on

the traditional musical instruments like Hiran Singha, Karnal, Dhol
and Nagara.

The gods, goddesses and deities are brought to this place from the
various parts of the district to pay their homage to the deity
Madhorai.

The dancing devotees and other hill folks in their colourful dresses
follow the procession.
The procession terminates at Padal ground.

Various cultural programmes are also held during the nights where
parties from various parts of the district and even from outside of
the district give their performances.
The temple of Mamleshwar at Mamail is at a distance of 2 Kms.
from Karsog. Vijay Dashmi fair is held there every year on the 11th
day of the bright half of the lunar month in Asavina (October).

According to the local legend, Lord Parshu Ram placed 80

Shivlingas in various parts of Karsog tahsil and the 81st was the
image of Mamleshwar Mahadev which emerged itself from the
ground.

The temple, it is believed, was constructed by the Pandvas.

On the festival day of Vijay Dashmi two decorated palanquins,

called ‘raths’ one of Mahadev Mamail and other of Nag Kajauni
which are enshrined in the same temple are taken out to the
courtyard with the beat of drums and by playing musical
instruments and the deities are worshipped in the traditional
manner and thereafter the procession starts with great gusto and
the people shower walnuts on the ‘raths’ as their offerings.

Here the deities dance for some time and take rest.

The fair is held to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the
demon Ravana and attended by the villagers of the surrounding
areas.

Women and children are attired in colorful dresses.

The people look cheerful, happy and gay. Before the sun sets the
deities to return to the temple.
Bakhari is a small hamlet in Mahu Panchayat circle about 13 kms.
from Churag on Shimla-Karsog road where the temple of Mahunag
is situated at a height of about 2,000 metres.

A fair is held on a rectangular piece of land surrounded by tall pine

trees, about 2 kms. away from the temple, known as Bagra Dhar on
the 2nd and 3rd Jaistah (May) every year.

According to a legend, one day, a person was ploughing his field in

village Shaindal when the poignant knob of his plough struck an
image, which came out.

The spirit of the God appeared in person and spoke, “I was Raja
Karana and now I have assumed the form of Nag. I should be
installed in a proper place”.

So, the idol was taken to village Bhamnala about 2 kms. from
Bakhari. But, God refused to stay there and went to Bakhari.

On reaching the village there was lightening and a tree caught fire.
The god stayed there and a temple was erected. The fire caused by
the lightning was kept alive and still smoulders round the clock,
but, it is not known as to when and by whom the temple was
constructed.

According to another legend, Raja Shyam Sen of Suket was

imprisoned by the Mughal emperor of Delhi and while in captivity
he prayed to Mahunag who appeared to him in the form of a bee
and promised an early release.

It is stated that Raja Shyam Sen on his return from Delhi granted a
jagir of Rs. 400 to the temple of Mahunag. Mahunag is the popular
god of the tahsil Karsog and is worshipped by good number of
people in other parts of Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur districts.

The temple is made of stone and wood.

In one small apartment, anthropomorphic images made of silver

and brass sheets representing the deity are fixed on the walls and
are worshipped daily in the morning.

The people have great faith in Mahunag especially in the cure of

snakebites.

It is stated that no one dies of snakebite if Mahunag is invoked.

In the fair, Nati folk dances are organized in addition to the various
other games.
Riwalsar fair has a great religious importance and is celebrated on
the 10th day of every new year according to the Tibetan calendar.

Tibetan year starts sometimes in February/March.

Riwalsar fair is also known as Tsechu/Chessu fair which literally

means 10th of Dawa Thangpo (1st month).

The Buddhists from various parts of the country come to this place
to celebrate the birthday of their Guru Padma Sambhav.

The festival of Tsechu takes place twice a year known as Chhota

Tsechu and Bara Tsechu.
The former takes place on Shukla Dashmi of pausa month of the
Bikrami era (December/January) whereas the later on the Shukla
Dashmi of the month of Phalguna (February/March).

The Chhota Tsechu heralds the beginning of the festival season and
the degree of pomp and show is on a lesser scale than what is
witnessed during Bara Tsechu.

The fair starts with a big ‘Puja’ in the Gompa or Buddhist

monastery.

The followers of the two sects of Buddhism, Neiysrapa and

Kandgupa participate in this puja.
Hundreds of Lamas sit in meditation on the 7th day or ‘Satvin’
which continues upto the day of ‘puranmashi’.

Apart from Padma Sambhava, homages are also paid to other

Tibetan deities, the principal of them being Shardur Samdia and
Nubnawathay.

The flag is also changed and there is a great scramble to collect the
pieces of old flag.

On the day of Chhota Tsechu only limited number of Lamas

participate in the meditation and 1,000 wicks of ghee (butter) are lit
up.

A Tibetan preparation called Tsog, which is made, by mixing barley,

ghee and gur is distributed.

The five coloured buntings of cloth printed with Buddhist ‘mantras’

are hung all along with the belief that the wind which comes in
contact with these gets purified which in turn purifies the
atmosphere as well.
Numbers of folk dances are performed in honour of Padma
Sambhava and other Buddhist [Link] the above stated
main fairs, a number of other fairs are also held in the district.