INTRODUCTIONMandi, formerly known as Mandav Nagar, also known as Sahor is a major city and a municipal council in Mandi District in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated 153 kilometres north of state capital, Shimla. Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 1,044 metres (3,425 ft) the city of Mandi, experiences pleasant summers and cold winters. Mandi is connected to the Pathankot through National Highway 20 which is almost 220 km(140 mi) long and to Manali and Chandigarh through National Highway 21 which is 323 km(201 mi) long. Mandi is approximately 184.6 km (114.7 mi) from Chandigarh the nearest major city, and 440.9 km (273.9 mi) from New Delhi the national capital. According to the 2011 Indian census, Mandi city has a population of 192,370. It is one of the largest city of Himachal Pradesh with a total area of 23 km2. City is currently the2nd largest economy in the state next to Kangra. Mandi is the third-largest by population in state, next to Shimla and Solan. Mandi, in the state is having second highest sex ratio of 1013 females per thousand males.

It serves as the headquarters of Mandi District and Zonal Headquarters of central zone including Districts namely Kullu, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur. As a tourist place, Mandi is often referred to as "Varanasi of Hills"or "Choti Kashi"or "Kashi of Himachal". People of Mandi proudly boast that while Benaras (Kashi) has 80 temples, Mandi has 81.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is a premier institute located in the city. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing city that still retains much of its original charm and character. The city was established in 1527 by Ajbar Sen as the seat of the Mandi State, a princely state till 1948. Foundation of the city was laid on the establishment of Himachal Pradesh in early 1948. Today, it is widely known for the International Mandi Shivaratri Fair. The city also has the remains of old palaces and notable examples of ‘colonial’ architecture. The city had one of the oldest buildings of Himachal Pradesh.

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FAST FACTS

Country : India

State : Himachal Pradesh

District : Mandi

Established : 1527

Founded by : Ajber Sen

Area : 23 sq km

Elevation : 1044 m (3,425 ft )

Population (2011) : 192,370

Avg. annual temp. : 230 C

Avg. summer temp. : 290C

Avg. winter temp. : 170C

Major Highway : NH 21P a g e 2 | 20

HOW TO REACH

Distances to Mandi By Road from major Cities

Delhi-Karnal-Chandigarh-Ropar-Kiratpur-Bilaspur-Sunder

Nagar-Mandi 460 km

Chandigarh-Ropar-Kiratpur-Bilaspur-Mandi 210 km

Shimla-Tattapani-Alsindi-Churag- Rohanda-Chail Chowk-

Baggi- Nerchowk-Mandi

179 km

Distances of Nearest Railway Stations• Joginder Nagar (Narrow Gauge Track) 50 km

• Kiratpur (Broad Gauge Track) 130 km

• Shimla (Narrow Gauge Track) 150 km

Nearest Airports

Bhuntar Airport in District Kullu   

       

60 km

Gaggal Airport Kangara 110 km

Jubber Hatti Airport Shimla 170 km

ANCIENT TEMPLES IN MANDI TOWN P a g e 3 | 20

1.Bhutnath Temple:

The temple, located in the heart of the

town was buit by Raja Ajber Sen in

1527 AD. The temple is devoted to Lord

Shiva and was built at the time when

State Capital was shifted from Bhiuli to

present place.There is tradition of Raj

Madhav Rao, the deity who ruled the

Mandi state, visiting the temple and offer prayers before starting the procession of

Shivratri Fair along with all the visiting hill deities

2.TrilokNath Temple: 

The temple of Triloknath was built by

Sultan Devi, queen of Raja Ajber Sen in

1520 AD. Temple houses the   three-faced

image of Lord Shiva and is located in

Purani Mandi across Victoria Bridge on

Mandi Pathankot National

Highway.Trilokinath temple is one of the

oldest temples in the town with typical architecture and sculptural artistry Idols of

Narda and Sharda and many Hindu gods are also worshipped alongwith the main

deity Trilokinath.

3.PanchVaktra Temple: P a g e 4 | 20

Situated at the confluence of Beas and

Suketi rivers the Panchvaktra temple

houses the five-faced image of Lord

Shiva.Built in Shikhara style of

architecture the temple has been taken

over by Archeological Survey of India

and declared as national heritage

monument .

4.Mahamritunjya Temple:

 Situated in the heart of the town, this temple

houses the image of Lord Shiva with his third

eye and the lotus posture in meditative

contemplation. The four arms of Shiva with

usual symbols and right lower hand in  

'Bhumisparsha mudra',lower left hand holding

'Kamandal' right upper hand raised in

benediction and upper left hand holding

'amritkalasha' - all create the mystique of the

rare charm and beauty of Mahamritunjaya

Shiva.

5.Tarna Mata Temple:

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 Built by king Shyam Sen at the top of hill

named as Tarna Hill, at an altitude of 300

feet above sea level. Temple house the

image of Godess Kaali, Lord Shiva and

others.There about 305 stairs path to the

temple from main bazar.

6. Bhima Kaali Temple: 

This temple is located on the bank of

Beas river near Beas Sadan on Mandi

Pathankot National highway.

Other Temples:  Besides many temples in Mandi town there are few more

prominent temples   worth visiting such as, Magru Mahadev in Chhatri, 155 kms.

MahuNag, 130 kms., Mamleshwar Mahadev, 132 kms., Kamaksha Devi,136 kms.,

Balak Rupi- 63 kms., besides Naina Devi - 33 kms., Padama Sambhava Cave and

Gurudwara  at Rewalsar and Kamru Nag.

PLACES OF INTRESTP a g e 6 | 20

1.PRASHAR LAKE AND TEMPLE :

Prashar Lake lies 49 km north

of Mandi, Himachal

Pradesh, India, with a three

storied pagoda-like temple

dedicated to the sage Prashar. The

temple was built in the thirteenth

century and legend has it was built

by a baby from a single tree. The lake has a floating island in it and it is said to be

unclear how deep it is, with a diver not being able to determine its depth.

2.REWALSAR :

About 25 km from Mandi, 14 km

from Ner Chowk is the Rewalsar

lake, famous for its floating islands

of reed. 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.

3. SHIKARI DEVI TEMPLE:

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Shikari Devi temple is near

to Karsog Valley, Janjelhi

valley, Bagsaid Valley in the

Himalayas in Distt mandi Of

Himachal Pradesh with

beautiful view of pine,

deodar woods and apple

orchards. The Shikari Devi

Temple is positioned at a height of 2850 meters above sea level in the state of

Himachal Pradesh. It is extremely difficult to trek up to the Shikari Devi Temple

from Janjheli, Bagsaid, Kandha or Karsog vally. You can enjoy a beautiful trip

with different routes to reach upto ancient shrine of the Shikari Devi Temple

located at the peak of the hill.

4.KAMRUNAG LAKE AND TEMPLE:

Kamru Nag Lake is situated at a height of

3,334 meters above sea level on the Mandi –

Karsog road. The lake has enormous religious

significance in the region as the temple of one

of most revered deities in Mandi, known as

Kamrunag Dev is situated on the banks of lake.

Kamrunag is a famous weather-god of Seraj valley. People often pray to the

weather God in the temple for favourable weather conditions. Pilgrims take holy

bath during Kamrunag ‘jatar’ in the lake. A fair is held here on 14th of June every

year

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5.BAROT VALLEY :

Barot is a picnic spot and tourist location in Mandi district in the Indian state of

Himachal Pradesh. It is situated 40 km from Jogindernagar and 66 km from Mandi,

the district headquarters. The road to Barot branches off at Jogindernagar-Mandi

high ways and from Jogindernagar the distance is 40 km.   

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TREKKING ROUTES IN MANDI

S.No Route Distance Time(Approx)

1. Lohardi (Chotta Bhangal) - Dena Sar (Chuhar)

return via Lohardi or Thaltu Khod (Chuhar)50 kms. 3 days

2. Thaltu Khod - Denasar - Lohardi 50 kms. 3 days

3. Tinnu Nallah-Kadaun (Kullu) via Sudhar - Silh

Badhani - Burang Narayan - Bhuvu Jot70 kms. 4 days

4. Baggi - Prashar - Jawalapur 30 kms. 2 days

5. Hanogi - Prashar via Bahandi or Hanogi - Bahanda

- Kandha - Jawalapur40 kms. 3 days

6. Thatta - Prashar - Baggi or Jawalapur 30 kms. 2 days

7. Rohanda - Kamru Nag - Shikari - Janjehli 80 kms. 4 days

8. Pandoh - Kalhani - Sarachi - Bhatki Dhar - Paga

Chanogi - Shilhi Baggi - Lamba Thach80 kms. 4 days

9. Janjehli - Shikari - Sanarli - Karsog 50 kms. 2 days

10. Slappar - Seri Kothi - Balg - Doghri - Haraboi -

Sojha - Sarour - Tattapani80 kms 4 days

11. Marhi - Kamlah Garh - Saklana - Dharampur 40 kms 2 days

12. Beer Ahju - Billing - Chhota Bhangal -Pallachak -

Panikartu - Thamsarjot - Bara Bhangal70 kms 4 days

13. Janjehli - Magru Gala - Chhatri - Rana Bagh - Swar

- Aani60 kms 3 days

14. Janjehli - Bhulah - Narain Garh

- Shikari - KamruNag - Rohanda80 kms 4 days

15. Janjehli - Budha Kedar - Shikari - Narol -

Bagshyad70 kms 3 days

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FAIR AND FESTIVALS

(A). FAIRSIn Himachal Pradesh the predominant size of Hindus are occupying the area of

Mandi district. It is a land of Gods and fairs & festivals are an important part of

hill culture.  Almost every village is associated with fairs and festivals. Some

of the important fairs celebrated in the district are:

1.SHIVRATRI FAIRThe Shivratri fair Mandi was

started by Raja Ajber Sen, 300-400

years ago at Purani Mandi. Suraj

Sen had 18 sons, all of whome died

in his lifetime. Suraj Sen got a

silver image crafted and named it

Madho Rao to which he considered

to be the King of the State of Mandi

thereafter and all the rulers had to serve the state as servants of Madho Rao and

caretakers of the State. The illustrious Madho Rao made by the golsmith

Bhima, in the year 1705, on Thursday, the 15th Phagan. This date corresponds

to A.D. 1648.  King of Kangra, Sansar Chand invaded Mandi state in 1792 taking its ruler

Ishwari Sen prisoner for twelve years who was got released by Gurkha

invaders who attacked Kangra and Mandi states. Gurkha invaders returned

Mandi state to Ishwari Sen who received a warm reception when he returned to

his headquarters. King invited all hill deities and organised a grand function on

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his return and the occasion happened to be Shivratri festival. It is believed that

thereafter the practice of organising such function during Shivratri continued

year after year and is still in force. In the Shivratri fair, the village gods are

carried into Mandi to do homage to Madho Rao and the Raja. The fairs for

seven days; but is is general rule that each god on arrival shall pay his respects

to Madho Rao before he proceeds to the palace to salaam the ruler. On the

second day of the fair, a parade of gods is held in Padal. the large open plain in

the angle between the Beas and Suketi.

2.NABAHI DEVI FAIR :

Nabahi is situated in the village Sangroh on the Hamirpur border in the western

portion of the district. The name is variously derived, but the most probable

derivation relates to the fact there were formerly nine temples situated there. At

present there are three or four shrines only, the most important being that of

Nabahi Devi, the rest being mostly small Shivals. The temples are said to be have

been despoiled by Muhammadans, but while they were still busy with their looting

a shower of cannon balls fell from heaven and drove them off. To the sceptical one

of the balls is shown, still perched, as it fell, on a broken column. A largefair is

held in June when about ten thousand votaries from Mandi, Hamirpur,Bilaspur and

Kullu gather together.  

3.BAISAKHI FESTIVAL AT REWALSAR:At about 24 Kms from Mandi, at Rewalsar Basakhi Fair is held on the first Baisakh

each year, in the honour of Rishi Lomas, which is attended by several thousands of

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both sexes. An ealier fair take place in Phagan, but this essentially of

Budhist  interest, a considerable number of Tibetian, Lahaulis and Kanawaris

performing the pilgrimage each year.

4.NALWAR FAIR AT SUNDERNAGARNalwar Fair of Sundernagar held in the month of April. It is famous for the

trading of cattle besides its religious and cultural importance.

5.KAMAKSHA FAIRThis fair held at village Kao in Karsog Sub-Division, Started during second

World War, to pray to godess Kamaksha to end the war.

6.KAMRUNAG FAIRHeld every year in the month of June. Local people participate in large number

showing the glimpse of local culture in its most colorful form. People throw

gold and silver coins in the lake in reverence to God Shiva.                                                                                                          

7.KUTAH FAIRKutah fair held in the month of May for a week in the beautiful Janjehli Valley

in Gohar Sub-Division.

8.PARASHAR FAIRHeld every year in the month of June, the fair depicts local culture of hill people

besides attendance by the local dieties.

9.MAGRU MAHADEV FAIRP a g e 13 | 20

Held every year in the month of August for three days. reflecting local hill

culture and religious fervor of people to its best.

OTHER FAIRS

Besides these there are many other fairs such as  Mamailfair in Karsog, Nalwari

at Barchhwar and Bhangrotu etc.

(B) FESTIVALS

Fairs and festivals are the most important part of the life of hill folk. Besides, a

number of fairs organised at different places throughout the district, some

festivals like Navratra (Nine auspicious days); Basoa- a festival of crops;

Bakarmala, Chidan Mala, Haryalitri - festival relating to cattle wealth; Saayar -

another crop festival; Naag Panchami, Gugga festival, Deepavali and Shivratri

are some of the major festivals celebrated in the district during different seasons.

WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN MANDI DISTRICTP a g e 14 | 20

1. Nargu wildlife sanctuary

2. Shikari devi wildlife sanctuary

3. Bandli wildlife sanctuary

1.NARGU WILDLIFE SANCTUARY :

The Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary was first found in 1962 and re-noticed in the 1974.

It is one of the most densely populated sanctuaries in Himachal.

It is known to be most tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh which lies on the

banks of Uhl, Mandi. It is covered area of 273 square kilometres; temperature

varies -5 to 20°C.

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Flora and Fauna

Flora: It is dense forest type with sub-tropical pine, Ban Oak, Moru Oak, Moist

Deodar, western mixed Coniferous, moist temperate Deciduous, Kharsu Oak and

sub Alpine forests.

Fauna: Here animals like Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm Civent,

barking Deer, Indian Hare, common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque,

Himalayan yellow throated stone Marten, Indian Porcupine, common giant flying

Squirrel, Himalayan Weasel

Best Time to visit: Between the months of April to May and August to October

Accommodation: Travellers visiting this place can avail accommodation facilities

in the rest houses located at Thaltukhod and Silbadhwani.

Transportation of Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary:

By road: Joginder nagar is near to take any vehicle to reach the sanctuary.

By train: The nearest railhead is joginder nagar which is 40kms far from the

Nagru wildlife sanctuary

By flight: People who want to reach this sanctuary can travel from Bhuntar which

is in Kullu district from where the Nagru sanctuary is of few kms away, you can

reach Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary.

2. SHIKARI DEVI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY :

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Shikari Devi Sanctuary, located near the Shikari Devi Temple in

the Mandi District, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1962. This wildlife

sanctuary is home to a different species of animals and birds, including the goral,

monal, black-bear, barking deer, musk deer, cat leopard, and the Himalayan black

bear.

Tourists can also see the Himalayan palm civet, barking deer, marten, Indian

porcupine, Kashmiri flying squirrel, musk deer, common langur, leopard, the

common Squirrel, and the snow leopard inhabiting the sanctuary.The vegetation of

the place includes trees of the ban oak, western mixed coniferous trees, kharsu oak,

West Himalayan upper oak, moist temperate deciduous forest, and sub Alpine

pastures. The best time to visit this sanctuary is between August and October,

besides the months of April and May. The place can be reached from Karsog via

Chindi.

3.BANDLI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY :P a g e 17 | 20

Region : Himachal Pradesh, from the village of Sunder Nagar about seven

kilometers

Perfect Visiting Time :  Month of May and October

Special Factors :  Snow Leopard and Chir Pheasant 

Bandli Sanctuary is located within Mandi district. From village of Sunder

Nagar it is seven kilometers away. Due to tiny Chir population and Leopards

this sanctuary is highly disturbed. Earlier this area was protected very well.

The wildlife of this sanctuary comprises of prevalent Palm Civet, Black Bear,

Rhesus Macaque, Indian hare, Barking Deer and Himalayan Black Bear.

CONCLUSION

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The prospect of tourism in Mandi region has never flourished in the

domestic as well as in the international market even though the Mandi

region provides many tourist attractions related to religion, culture and

adventure sports such as trekking routes to Shikari Devi Temple. Even

though Mandi still has many unexplored tourist destinations but lack of

proper infrastructure facilities such as transportation, sanitation and

other basic facilities are still under developed in this region. Government

Policies, stiff competition from Kullu- Manali and other main tourist

destinations of H.P like Shimla, Dharamshala etc has always act as a

hindrance in development of Mandi as a tourist destination.

Government policies toward development of Mandi, marketing and

promotion of major tourist attractions such as International Shivratri

Fair, Prashar Lake, Rewalsar lake, Barot Valley, ancient temples and

monuments in Mandi district can act as a catalyst in attracting more and

more tourist and help in creating Mandi as tourist hub of H.P.

In the end I would like to conclude that Mandi has huge potential in field

of tourism which can only be possible through cooperation between the

local authorities and government, infrastructure development and

emergence of alternated tourism. I hope that in near future necessary

steps are taken to improve the present situation of tourism and Mandi

may emerge as a popular international tourist destination.

BIBLIOGRAPHYP a g e 19 | 20

1. HPTDC BROUCHERS

2. www.hptdc.nic.in

3. www.hpmandi.gov.in/tourism

4. HPTDC PAMPHLETS

5. Know Your State: Himachal Pradesh by Vinod Kumar Dhumal

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