Mandi: Lakes, Temples and Trekking
Accommodation in Mandi
Artificial and natural lakes, temples on high-altitude shores and trekking trails of varying difficulty characterise Mandi. The district brings together very different travel experiences: Sundernagar centres on walking trails and an artificial lake, while Prashar and Kamrunag stand out for their high altitude, lakes and temples. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which places and experiences you want to focus on during your trip.
Lakes, forests and striking elevations
An artificial lake was created in Sundernagar using water from the Beas-Sutlej Project. The town is also known for shaded walking trails between tall trees. Those looking for a quieter walk will find a different kind of outing here than on the trekking routes to the district’s high-altitude lakes.
The natural Rewalsar Lake is known for its floating reed islands and fish. Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh shrines line its shores; Rewalsar also has three Buddhist monasteries. The lake and religious sites offer different cultural and scenic points of interest.
At an altitude of 2,730 metres, Prashar Lake has a floating island. An old pagoda temple dedicated to Rishi Prashar stands beside the lake. King Ban Sen built the temple in the 13th to 14th century. There are several campsites in Prashar, which is also a starting point for numerous easy and challenging treks.
Kamrunag also combines a lake and a temple: the place lies at an altitude of 3,334 metres and is known for its lake and the temple beside it. Its elevation and the steep footpath from Rohanda make this excursion a different kind of outing from a walk in Sundernagar.
Trekking through valleys and mountain trails
Devidarh has lush green fields and meadows, as well as dense Deodar cedar forests. It lies on the Janjhali–Shikri Devi–Devidarh–Kamrunag trekking route. If you want to focus your trip on trekking, you can consider this route as one of the district’s defining experiences; the locations named also show how the trail connects different places.
The footpath from Rohanda to Kamrunag follows a steep mountain trail. It is about 6 kilometres long and takes 3 to 4 hours. This information can help you plan the outing as part of your day. Various trekking routes lead from Shikari to Chindi, Karsog and Janjehli; in Prashar, trails range from easy to challenging.
Barot is a starting point for trekking routes into the Kullu and Kangra valleys and is considered the gateway to the 278-square-kilometre Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary. Barot also has a trout farm run by the Department of Fisheries. The combination of trekking, a sanctuary and fish farming sets the town apart from the lake and temple destinations.
Culture and cuisine in Mandi
In Mandi, the historic Ghanta Ghar stands at the centre of the Indira Bazar commercial complex. This three-storey pagoda-style structure was built in 1939. In Sundernagar, the Mahamaya Temple is the most important of the town’s temples. The Ardhanariswara Temple and the adjoining land are designated as a centrally protected monument in Mandi.
The International Mandi Shivaratri Fair takes place every year in March and lasts seven days. Banthra is the official folk dance of Mandi district and the main folk dance performed at theatrical performances in Mandi. A regional speciality is Sepu Wadi, the official and principal dish of Mandi. It is served at Dham meals, which are organised for local weddings, events and celebrations.
Getting there and choosing the right location
Mandi can be reached by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. Regular bus services connect Mandi with places such as Manali, Palampur and Dharamshala. The nearest airport is Kullu Airport in Bhuntar, about 60 kilometres from Mandi town. Barot can be reached by road from Ghatasani via the Pathankot–Mandi National Highway.
If culture or regional cuisine is your main interest, the fair, temples and Sepu Wadi offer further reasons to get to know Mandi.
Other places in the district include Chauk, Kas, Hatgarh and Joginder Nagar.
For the overview of the wider destination: Himachal Pradesh.
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