Mandi, Himachal Pardesh, India

Himachal Pardesh, India, originally uploaded by sunpreet28.

Mandi (old name Mandav Nagar) is a city and a municipal council in Mandi district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. (Legend has it that the Great sage 'Mandav' prayed in this area, and the rocks turned black due to the severity of his penance, the town was referred to as Mandvya Nagari in his honour.).


The River Beas where it runs through the city of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

[edit] Geography
Mandi is located at 31.72° N 76.92° E[1]. It has an average elevation of 1044 metres (3425 feet). It is built on the Banks of the Beas River. [1]


View of Mandi Town
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census[2], Mandi had a population of 26,858. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Mandi has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 82%. In Mandi, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.


[edit] Miscellany

Princely flag of MandiMandi has mixed population,Hindus,Sikhs,Muslims and Christians live together in harmony. The people are religious, secular, broadminded and warmhearted. All celebrate Indian festivals together with great zest.

[edit] Temples

Bhimakali TempleMandi has more than 300 old and new temples. Because of large number of temple sand its location along River Beas Mandi is also known as Chhoti(Small) Kashi. Most of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali. There are many classical temples which the Archaeological Survey of India has declared as 'protected monuments' due to there historical significance, the primary ones being:Panchvaktra Temple, situated at the confluence of River Beas and Suketi khad.Ardhnareshwar Temple, which is one of the very few temples in India.Triloknath Temple located on the right bank of river Beas.

Gurudwara
Mandi has a grand historical Gurudwara Gobind Singh in honour of Guru Gobind Singh who spent some time in Mandi. The people and the ruler welcomed with great warmth and supported Guru in his war against the tyrannical rule of Aurangzeb; it is said that the Town has Guru's blessings.(the Gurdwara is also unofficially referred to as Gurudwara PalangSahab, because Guru's Bed 'Palang' is still preserved here)


[edit] Places to be seen

A view of the Sunken Garden otherwise known as GhantagharSunken Garden(Indira Market)
Tarna Temple also called Shyama Kali temple
Bhima Kali Temple
Panchvaktra Temple
Panchvakra an ancient temple of Lord Shivakangri dhar
Over the years the town has become crowded. Watch out for cars and autorickshaws (and stray cows too).

Mandi is also famous for the Shivratri an International festival held for seven days in the month of March every year. Mandi town hosts a half marathon every year.Mandi is the gateway to the Kulu valley. The best place to watch near by is Sunder Nagar which hosts critical pin in the chain of Bhakhra Dam. The Satluj and Beas riviers meet here and from here, are routed towards Gobind Sagar lake which is fed to the Bhakhra Dam(the highest gravity dam in the world). The scene near the gates lake is heavenly.

Tourist Places

[edit] Rewalsar
About 25 km from Mandi, 14 km from Ner Chownk is the Rewalsar lake, famous for its floating islands of reed. It is believed that all seven of them can be moved by prayer or breeze. There are three shrines here, 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. Lying in a mountain hollow, the lake is held sacred to all three communities, boating facilities are available. Tourist inn maintained by HPTDC provide accommodation and Indian cuisine. can also go to naina sar and temple which have historic idols


[edit] Prashar
This lake lies 40 k.m. north of Mandi, with a three storied pagoda like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar.


[edit] Joginder Nagar
The large hydro-electric project in Jogindernagar is a living tribute to man he has harnessed and tamed the wild and roaring river for his betterment. Here an electric trolley takes the visitor up the steep, rocky face of 2,500 metres-high (8,202 ft) mountain and drops sharply on the other side to Barot, where the reservoir is located.

The railway line goes up to the power station, the water rushing down from the reservoir at Barot in the Uhl river through penstock pipes going down nearly a thousand metres(3,280 ft). For tourists who go up to Barot by the trolley, there is a comfortable rest house of the Electricity department. The roads extends beyond to Mandi and passes the Larji gorge to the Kullu valley.

Bassi power station is five kilometres from Jogindernagar and next to it, is Machinhar where fishing is not permitted as it is considered a sacred spot, but it is a popular as a feeding spot for fish.


[edit] Sunder Nagar
Famous for its temples, 26 km from Mandi towards Shimla and at a height of 1,174 metres on the raised edge of a fertile valley, the beautiful town of Sundernagar is known for its shady walks amidst towering trees. On top of a hill and visited by thousands of devotees every year, is the Sukhdev Vatika and temple of Mahamaya.

The biggest hydro-electric project in all Asia, the Beas-Sutlej project, irrigating nearly one-fourth of the northern plains of India, has brought unprecedented prosperity to Sundernagar. The Beas-Sutlej link colony is the biggest colony in Himachal Pradesh.


[edit] Janjehli
At a distance of 67 km from Mandi, Janjehli is a paradise for hikers, offering treks up to a height of 3,300 metres. After covering 32 km by a motorable road up to Gohar and rest of the journey is on foot. In the midst 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. chindi and karsog are also nice places for meditation