Mandi is very popular among tourists because of its scenic beauty. Some of the best things to do in Mandi include trekking, hiking, and biking. Besides, there are many temples and monasteries in Mandi that draws tourists in large number every year. If you are still wondering about the options of things to do in Mandi, check out the below list.
1. Prashar Lake Trek
Prashar Lake lies 49 km east of Mandi alongside a three-storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the Sage Prashar. It is believed that Sage Prashar meditated on the banks of this lake; hence it is named Prashar Lake. Per legend, Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, had created the lake.
After the Kurukshetra/Mahabharata battle, the Pandavas were returning with Lord Kamrunag. When they reached this place, Kamrunag loved the tranquil surroundings and decided to live here forever. So, Bheem (the strongest of the lot) rammed his elbow into one of the mountains and created a big dent in the land. This dent became Prashar Lake.
2. Bhutanatha Temple
The Bhutanatha group of temples is a cluster of sandstone shrines dedicated to the deity Bhutanatha in Badami town of Karnataka state, India. There are two major temples here. Temple No. 1, on the east side of the lake, called the Bhutanatha temple, has a superstructure that resembles early South Indian style or North Indian style with its open mantapa (hall or veranda) extending into the lake.
In contrast, the smaller Temple No. 2 on the northeast side of the lake, sometimes called the Mallikarjuna group of temples, has a stepped superstructure, commonly found in Kalyani Chalukya constructions. The inner shrine and mantapa (hall) of Temple No.1 were constructed in the late 7th century, during the Badami Chalukyas reign. While the outer mantapa, facing the Badami tank, was completed during the rule of the Kalyani Chalukyas of the 11th century.
Hence the Bhutanatha temple contains architectural forms from different periods. Studies show that these Kalyani Chalukya architects could have belonged to the same early phase workshop that later built the nearby Yellamma temple and the Mallikarjuna group of temples.
3. Pandoh Dam
The Pandoh Dam is an embankment dam on the Beas River in the Mandi district. Under the Beas Project, the dam was completed in 1977, and its primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation. Part of a run-of-the-river power scheme diverts the waters of the Beas to the southwest through a 38 km long system of tunnels and channels.
The water is used for power generation at the Dehar Power House before being discharged into the Sutlej River, connecting both rivers. The powerhouse has an installed capacity of 990 MW. The system diverts 256 cumecs (9000 cusecs) of Beas waters to the Satluj River. The project was completed in 1977.
4. Rewalsar Lake
Rewalsar Lake, also known as Tso Pema, is a mid-altitude lake located in the Mandi district’s mountains, 22.5 km southwest of Mandi. Its elevation is about 1,360 meters above sea level, with a shoreline of about 735 meters. Rewalsar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Tibetan Buddhists for the Vajrayana practices of Padmasambhava and Mandarava, which are credited for the lake’s creation.
There is a Colossus of Padmasambhava, a shrine to Mandarava, and three Buddhist monasteries at Rewalsar Lake. The Rewalsar Lake also has three Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, and the sage Lomas. Another holy lake, Kunt Bhyog, which is about 1,750 m above sea level, lies above Rewalsar. It is associated with the escape of ‘Pandavas’ from the burning palace of wax, an epic Mahabharata episode.
5. Sunder Nagar
Sundar Nagar is a town and a municipal council in the Mandi district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Formerly it was a princely state, known as Suket. The waters of the Beas-Sutlej Project have given it a man-made lake. The temple of Mahamaya and Sukhdev Vatika on the nearby hill are other attractions. The beautiful town of Sunder Nagar is known for its shady walks amidst towering trees.
The town is famous for its temples, with the Mahamaya Temple being prominent among them. Perched at an altitude of 1,174 meters, Sunder Nagar is noted for its shady walks amid towering trees. Sukhdev Vatika is a beautiful garden here. Sunder Nagar is also home to Asia’s biggest Hydel Project – the Beas-Sutlej hydroelectric project, irrigating nearly one-fourth of India’s northern plains, has brought unprecedented prosperity to Sunder Nagar. The Beas-Sutlej link colony is the biggest in Himachal Pradesh.
6. Tattapani
The charming region of Tattapani near Shimla in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is the heartbeat of this region for its beautiful landscapes. But what really makes it truly famous is the hot water natural spring in the midst of bone-chilling rivers that extend for up to a kilometer.
Tattapani, in the local language, means ‘hot water’; hence, it is easy to understand why this place has been named so. It lies about 45 km from Shimla on the banks of River Sutlej. The surrounding green mountains and the magnanimous river make Tattapani an ideal setting for a peaceful timeout.
7. Kamrunag Lake
The Kamrunag lake, a famous religious and tourist place, and its surrounding areas in the Mandi district are declared a biodiversity heritage site. The HP State Biodiversity Board has initiated an exercise in this regard. Dr. M L Thakur, a Project Coordinator of the board, said, “To discuss the issue related to the Kamrunag lake area declaration as a biodiversity heritage site, a meeting was held at Kandhi-Kamru Panchayat in Mandi district in July 2020.
Officers from the Forest and Revenue departments, members of the Biodiversity Management Committee, and gram panchayats, ‘kardaars’ of Kamru-Nag and local, knowledgeable persons attended the meeting.”
8. Barot
Barot, a village originally developed in the 1920s for the Shanan Hydel Project, is now a tourist location in the Mandi district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Barot was difficult to access until 1975 when a road was opened. It is situated 40 km from Jogindernagar and 65 km from Mandi, the District Headquarter. The road to Barot branches off at Jogindernagar-Mandi Highway, and from Jogindernagar, the distance is 40 km.
It is sometimes possible to use the funicular trolley from Jogindernagar, which reduces the distance to 12 km. The road route includes terraced fields and thick cedar forests, rising to Jhatingri at the hilltop. The remains of the summer palace of the former rulers of Mandi are located here. Through the little village of Tikkan, the road carries on to Barot. The town has a range of outdoor activities, including a trout breeding center, where fishes are released into the Uhl river. A 30 km section of the river is used for angling.
9. Bhima Kali Temple
Bhimakali Temple, originally known as Bhimadevi Temple (Bhīmā Kālī), is dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, the presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. It is one of 51 Shakti Peethas. The temple is situated about 170 kilometers from Shimla in Sarahan, a small town in Himachal Pradesh. The town is known as the “Gateway of Kinnaur” as it is near the old Indo-Tibetan Road.
Seven kilometers below (17 km by road) Sarahan is the river Satluj. Sarahan is identified with the Shonitpur mentioned in Puranas. Sarahan Bushahr has been the summer capital of Bushahr kingdom, with Rampur Bushahr considered the winter capital. The former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Virbhadra Singh is a member of the royal family (son of erstwhile king Padam Singh) and is popularly known as “Raja Sahab” at Sarahan.
He has been a member of the Assembly/Parliament since 1962 and has held the post of Chief Minister six times. His wife, Rani Pratibha Devi, is also a Member of the State’s Legislative Assembly.
Conclusion
Mandi is known for its unique attractions like Prashar lake, Pandoh dam, Jalori Pass, and offers adventurous experiences like camping and trekking.
So spare some time from your busy life and explore the beauty of Mandi’s beautiful and pleasant environment.
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