Mandi
The earliest history of Mandi goes back to formation of Suket in 765 AD. Rewalsar is mentioned in the Skanda Purana as a sacred place of pilgrimage and Karnpur is supposed to have been founded by Karan, a hero of Hindu epic Mahabharat. Pandavs supposedly sheltered themselves in a Gumma after the Laksh Greh burnt down. According to Tibetan history, Padam Sambhav (750-800 AD), the great Buddhist Patriarch was summoned by king Tisong-De-Tsen of Tibet for preaching Buddhism, hailed from Zahor, which lies in present day Reqalsar. This hints that Mandi must have been a place of Buddhist learning at that time. One legend says that Mandi is named after Rishi Mandav and was called Mandav Nagar.
Climate and Geography
Mandi district is situated between 31’13.50 and 32’04.30 north latitude and 76’37.20 and 77’23.15 east longitude. It shares borders with Kangra in north-west, Arki (Solan) in south, Shimla in south-west, Kullu in east and Hamirpur and Bilaspur in west.
Beas and Satluj are the biggest rivers and Mandi town is situated on banks of former. Satluj flows through the south-eastern corner with limited drainage area.
Most of the unused land is covered with greenery due to high rainfall. Trees like deodar, spruce, oak, blue pine and others grow aplenty on hills. Due to varied altitude there are large variations in temperature and vegetation in different parts of the district. Lower reaches of the district can get hot in summers but higher areas are pretty cold in winters,
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Common languages used in Mandi are Hindi, Pahari,Mandyali and English. Majority of population is Hindu and a number of fairs and festivals are celebrated through out the year including Shivratri fair, Nabahi Devi fair, Nalwar fair (cattle trade), Kamrunag fair, Prashar fair among others.
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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
- Rewalsar: Rewalsar is a famous pilgrimage site for HIndus, Buddhists and Sikhs and has important shrines for each. Rewalsar Lake is another attraction and the floating reed islands are considered to be representation of Buddhist preacher Padma Sambhav. More Details.
- Prashar Lake: is a small picturesque lake 49 km north of Mandi named after Sage Prashar. There is a wooden 13th century three-storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar on it’s banks.
- Janjehli (2150) valley is 80 km from Mandi famous for it’s natural beauty comprising forest covered hills, fruit orchards and water streams.
- Chindi : is a beautiful region full of old villages, apple orchards, farms, ancient temples and dense forests. More Details.
- Barot was capital of former Mandi rulers and is now gateway to Nargu Willdlife Sanctuary near Uhl. It has some nice views of the mountains and valleys.
- Shikari Devi is the goddess of hunters and the open roof temple was supposedly built by Pandavas.There is a rough road as well as trek routes leading from Kamrunag, Chindi and Shankar Dehra.
- Karsog valley is famous for it’s scenic beauty and temples such as Mamleshwar Mahadev Temple, Kamaksha Devi Temple, Mool Mahunag temple and a few others.Dhamoon peak with panoramic views of mountain peaks in Lahaul Spiti, Shimla, Kullu is a good hiking spot.
- Chhatri is a remote region known for it’s apple orchards, dense deodar forests and Magru Mahadev/Chatreshwar Mahadev temple constructed in local pahari architecture style.
- Jogindernagar has 3 hydel power houses, one of which was constructed in 1925. It is currently famous as site for adventure activities such as para-gliding. More Details.
Government Resources
Health CMO Mandi – 01905-222177
Forest Department:
- DFO HQ Mandi – 01905-235360 dfoman-hp@nic.in
- APCCF (Working Plan & Settlement) – 01905-237070 apccfwps-hp@nic.in
- CF (Working Plans) – 01905-237071 cfwpman-hp@nic.in
- CF – 01905-235447 cfman-hp@nic.in
- DWDO – 01905 235055
Transport Department:
- Bus Stand – 01905-235538
- Regional Manager – 01905-235152 (Mob: 9418015540) romnd@hrtc.gov.in
- Divisional Manager (DO) – 01905-235154 (Mob: 9418000516) dmmnd@hrtc.goc.in
- Manager Technical (DW) – 01905-235153 (Mob: 9418023412) dwmnd@hrtc.gov.in
- WorkShop – 01905-235202
HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation)
- HRTC Inquiry, CBA, ISBT Sec 43, Chandigarh 0172-2624625, 0172-2668943 cbachd@hrtc.gov.in
- HRTC Inquiry, ISBT, Delhi 011-23868694
- HRTC Helpline, Shimla Head Office HQ 94180-00529 helplinehrtc@gmail.com
Police:
- SP Mandi – 01905-222470
- ASP Mandi – 01905-224164
- SP Vigilance Mandi – 01905-221135
- DSP Vigilance Mandi – 01905-222534
Circuit Houses and Guest Houses in Mandi
|
Rest House/Circuit House Location |
PWD Division/ Booking Office |
STD Code |
Phone Number |
e-Mail ID |
Distance from Booking Office |
No. of Suites |
|
Rest House at Mandi Near Tarna Temple |
E.E. Mandi Division No-II |
01905 |
222051 |
ee-mandiv2-hp@nic.in |
01.50 |
8 |
|
Rest House Paddle Mandi Near Bus Stand |
E.E. Mandi Division No-II |
01905 |
222051 |
ee-mandiv2-hp@nic.in |
02.50 |
15 |
|
Class-III Rest House at Jail road Mandi Near Chief Office C.Z.Mandi |
E.E. Mandi Division No-II |
01905 |
222051 |
ee-mandiv2-hp@nic.in |
00.20 |
6 |
|
Rest Houseat Kotli |
E.E. Mandi Division No-II |
01905 |
222051 |
ee-mandiv2-hp@nic.in |
22.00 |
5 |
|
Rest House at Karkoh(Kotli) |
E.E. Mandi Division No-II |
01905 |
222051 |
ee-mandiv2-hp@nic.in |
38.00 |
3 |
|
Rest House at Naina Devi Temple at Rewalsar |
E.E. Mandi Division No-II |
01905 |
222051 |
ee-mandiv2-hp@nic.in |
34.00 |
3 |
|
Rest House at Sundernagar |
E.E. Sundernagar |
01907 |
266245 |
ee-sun-hp@nic.in |
01.00 |
15 |
|
Rest House at Gohar |
E.E. Sundernagar |
01907 |
266245 |
ee-sun-hp@nic.in |
00.50 |
5 |
|
Rest House at Thunag |
E.E. Sundernagar |
01907 |
266245 |
ee-sun-hp@nic.in |
13.00 |
5 |
|
Rest House at Bagsaid |
E.E. Sundernagar |
01907 |
266245 |
ee-sun-hp@nic.in |
27.00 |
3 |
|
Rest House at Janjehali |
E.E. Sundernagar |
01907 |
266245 |
ee-sun-hp@nic.in |
01.00 |
3 |
|
Rest House at Karsog |
E.E. Karsog |
01907 |
222229 |
ee-kar-hp@nic.in |
02.00 |
2 |
|
Rest House at Chindi |
E.E. Karsog |
01907 |
222229 |
ee-kar-hp@nic.in |
13.00 |
5 |
|
Rest House at Chhatri |
E.E. Karsog |
01907 |
222229 |
ee-kar-hp@nic.in |
46.00 |
2 |
|
Rest House at Pangna |
E.E. Karsog |
01907 |
222229 |
ee-kar-hp@nic.in |
28.00 |
2 |
|
Rest House at Chowki |
E.E. Karsog |
01907 |
222229 |
ee-kar-hp@nic.in |
55.00 |
3 |
|
Rest House at Sarkaghat |
E.E. Sarkaghat |
01905 |
230034 |
ee-sar-hp@nic.in |
02.00 |
6 |
|
Rest House at Bhambla |
E.E. Sarkaghat |
01905 |
230034 |
ee-sar-hp@nic.in |
18.00 |
2 |
|
Rest House at Dharampur |
E.E. Dharampur |
01905 |
272269 |
ee-dhar-hp@nic.in |
01.50 |
5 |
|
Rest House at Marhi |
E.E. Dharampur |
01905 |
272269 |
ee-dhar-hp@nic.in |
14.00 |
2 |
|
Rest Houseat Sandhole |
E.E. Dharampur |
01905 |
272269 |
ee-dhar-hp@nic.in |
48.00 |
3 |
|
Rest House Near Senior Secondary School (Boys) Joginder Nagar. |
E.E. JoginderNagar |
01908 |
222033 |
ee-jog-hp@nic.in |
Local |
7 |
|
Rest House at Barot (Chuhar Valley) |
E.E. Padhar |
01905 |
222151 |
ee-mandiv1-hp@nic.in |
66.00 |
2 |
|
Rest House at Pandoh |
E.E. Padhar |
01905 |
222151 |
ee-mandiv1-hp@nic.in |
17.00 |
2 |
|
Rest House at Prashar |
E.E. Padhar |
01905 |
222151 |
ee-mandiv1-hp@nic.in |
51.00 |
5 |