Mandi Tourism | Places to Visit | Things To Do

Traveling and Himachal, these two words go hand in hand. It is because we know Himachal will never disappoint a wanderer, and Mandi does exactly the same. The District of Mandi is a gorgeous mountainous region filled with surreal landscapes and innumerable stunning shrines. The river Beas flows through the city, making it a beautiful sight, alongside rocks of all sizes and greenery. It is an ideal place to make a trip to, whether it is the summer or the winter as the temperatures are moderate. It is a producer of an endless list of ingredients- tea, sesame seed, groundnuts, sunflower oil, apples and fish.

Mandi town is located in the north-west Himalayas and witnesses the confluence of the River Beas and the mighty Suketi. It’s a land of many temples and is often referred to as the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The people of this city boast of having 81 temples, a few of them recognized by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The Temple of Mata Kuan Rani, Triloknath, Ardhanareshwar, Bhima Kali Temple and Bhootnath Temple are few of the almost innumerable temples to name.

The Prashar Lake dedicated to Saint Prashar lies kilometers north of Mandi, it also consists of three storied shrine. In the month of June of every year, there is a traditional fair held along with that this location is famous for trekking activities. Places in and around Mandi that are on the must- visit list are Himachal Darshan Photo gallery and the District Library. It is also famous for the Mandi Shivrathri fair held for seven days in the month of March. It is said the tenth guru of the Sikhs had considered Mandi the safest place on earth. It is a perfect place for adventure tourists; it hosts treks, rappelling. Sports wise, it has cricket and football. This exquisite place will ensure that everyone has the time of their lives.

The Rewalsar Lake is about 25 kilometers away from Mandi and is well-known for its connection with Padmasambhavana (considered to be the second Buddha). This led to a strong influence of Buddhism in Mandi along with the religions of Hinduism (three main temples dedicated to Hindu Gods Shiva and Krishna along with the spiritual leaders Lomas) and Sikhism (Gurudwara celebrating the month old stay of Guru Gobind Singh); Rewalsar also has three Buddhist monasteries.

The Victoria Suspension Bridge across Beas River is a beautiful 19th Century bridge which links Old Mandi the main city. This one is quite an oldie but still incorporates a visual gracefulness, narrating the tales of the irrevocable times of ancient Mandi.

The town offers an experience in Tibetan handicrafts and culture, in ancient paintings, carvings and sculpture and natural hot water springs. It also serves to be a base for a quick jaunt into the hills along several different axes. One can see lush tea plantations till as far as one can see, and it adds to the beauty of the place. Mandi hosts several fairs and festivals almost all round the year. It experiences pleasant summers and cold winters and is often referred to as ‘Varanasi of temples’. Its fine stone temples and legendary history add to the pristine beauty of the town. The next time you visit Himachal Pradesh don’t just hang around Shimla, loiter a bit to the North, GET OUTSIDE and discover the divine Mandi.