Chindi

(Height : 1850 m.) Hillsides covered with thick forests, acres filled with apple orchards, small picturesque hamlets and remarkable views in all directions combine to make Chindi and the area around it, one of the most beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh. This pocket is still off the beaten track and yet, has good facilities in terms of roads, small markets and accommodation. One of the most picturesque places in Himachal, this has wide valleys criss-crossed by streams and carpeted with ﬁelds of assorted vegetables and grain. From fertile ﬂoors, orchards and thick forests rise to touch snow covered peaks. The small villages and their age-old architecture give expression to the phrase ‘picture perfect’. Legends and folklore abound, and
every one of the temples is a repository of local culture and an example of remarkable building skills. And depending on when you take your trip, you can return with some excellent organically grown exotic vegetables, high quality lentils or
crisp apples. The area is well serviced by an extensive network of roads. Chindi is linked well with many of the established circuits — with Shimla, with Kullu-Manali and with Rampur and Kinnaur.

GETTING THERE:

By Road: From Chandigarh, Chindi is at a distance of 243km, the route is via – Kiratpur – Swarghat – Bilaspur – Sundernagar – Rohangalu. From Hoshiarpur, the distance is 229 km. the route is via – Una – Bangana – Barsar – Saloni – Bhota – Ladrour – Jahu – Kalkhar -Ner Chowk – Chail – Chowk – Rohangalu. Shimla to Chindi via Tattapani is a distance of 87 km. Rampur to Chindi via Baina Khud is 92 km. Mandi to Chindi via Chail Chowk and Ner Chowk is 100 km
By Rail : The stations of Kiratpur(169 km), Una (193 km) and the one at Kalka (177 kms) are the closest broad-gauge railheads. By narrow-gauge Kalka – Shimla Heritage train, the Shimla station is at a distance of 87 kms.
By Air : The Chandigarh airport is at a distance of 243 kms and Shimla is 112 kms away.

CLIMATE:

The summer is mild and cottons and light woollens are suggested. In winter, the sunny days are pleasant – though the nights are cold and heavy clothes are required. Through the rest of the year, light woollens / cottons are suggested.
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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Karsog (1350 m). 16 km from Chindi. This is a sub- divisional administrative headquarter of Mandi district. Surrounded by wide steps offields, this village holds the main bazaar of the valley and serves as a focal point for the neighbouring villages. Agriculture is the mainstay of the area and it is well known for its wheat, corn, rice and a variety of lentils and beans. The valley is criss-crossed by several brooks and the ‘twin’ Amla ( lmla ) and Bimla streams.
Temple of Mamleshwara Mahadev (1370m) This is 13 km from Chindi and 2 km from Karsog Bazaar in the village of Mamel. Local belief has it that the temple dates back to the times of the epic Mahabharata when it founded by the ‘Pandava brothers. And drawing on India’s other great epic, the Ramayana, it is regarded that after King Ravana of Lanka was killed by Bhagwan Rama, his soul could not be free till an image of Bhagwan Shiva was installed here—which was done by Rama with the use of supernatural powers. The sages Parshurama and Brighu are also regarded to have meditated at the spot. Using wooden sleepers of considerable girth, the temple is an attractive wood and slate structure and it is believed that the sacred fire in the temple has been kept burning from times immemorial – and that the level of the ashes never increases. There is an unusually large drum in the temple made with rhinoceros hide. Also shown on request, is a large grain of wheat supposedly dating back to the mythological times of the Satyuga. Some recently excavated shivalingas have been installed by the side of the temple. The Vijai Dashmi fair isheld here every year, around October. Other important festivals are Shivratri and the Nalwar fair.
Temple of Kamakshya Mata (1400m) 17 km from Chindi, 5 km from Mamel and 7 km from Karsog bazaar, this ancient temple is located in the village of Kau. The goddess in this temple is regarded to be manifest at the spot due to the meditations and sacrifices of Lord Parshurama. Today,.the remarkable expression and the intensity of the eyes of the principal image cast in ‘ashtadhatu‘, the eight primary metals, has to be seen to be believed. The deity is depicted as the ‘Mahishasuramardini’ — the slayer of the demon Mahisha, who had stalked the world in the shape of a buffalo. Rebuilt in the original genre, the temple is a splendid example of local woodworking skills. Small chambers hold other images like those of Vishnu, Bhairav and Nag Pundari; a Shiva linga is also placed in the temple as is the ‘bedchamber‘ of the goddess. The true sanctum ofthe temple is said to be an underground chamber that is not accessible. The original stone image of the deity is regarded to be in this room. A large drum, similar to the one at Mamel is one of the noteworthy objects in the temple. Alocal story has it that the ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Suket, in whose territories the area fell, was pressuring the local people to join the British forces during the Second World War. The people were reluctant to do so and they feel that it was the intervention of the goddess that brought the War to an end and saved her people from being slain. A fair in June / July still celebrates the event. Dusshera is another major celebration in the temple.
Kunhoo Dhar (1550m) This wide ﬂat-topped hill is 23 km from Chindi and is accessed through the Karsog bazaar. You can drive up to around 1 km ofthe spot. The hilltop presents a 360 degrees view of the area. The Karsog valley lies below, to the north is the peak of Shikari Devi. Some of the other well known ranges and mountains visible from Kunhoo Dhar are the Pir Panjal, the Hanuman Tibba, the rises around the Jalori Pass, the bare Chawasi Tibba, Narkanda’s Hattu Peak and the Shali Tibba. The villages of Churag, Chindi and Mahunag form a part of the foreground and the other sightseeing places of Dhamoon and Sairi Bangla (Bungalow ) are also visible. Kunhoo Dhar has a pond used by cattle and a temple placed under a large tree; the shrine is dedicated to both Kamakshya (Kamakhya) Devi and to Nag Dhamooni. Local tradition has it that thiswas the site of the original palace of the former princely state of Suket. lt is the site of a large fair held every June/ July. Smaller ones are also held at other points of year.
En route to Kunhoo Dhar are the small temples dedicated to Shilgiri Nag at Mathel and the one to Ban (Van )Vibhuti Mata. A tiny cave by the road at Jalog, is regarded sacred to Deoli Mata.
Mahunag (1830m) This 21 kms from Chindi. The drive initially goes in the direction of Shimla and Tattapani, after 10 km there is the turn of to this shrine located atop a hill. This is an attractive drive through pine woods that
gradually give way to deodars, the temple of Mahunag is regarded as one ofthe most important ones in the area. This is considered to be core temple of the deity Mahunag -who is regarded as the embodiment of Karna of the epic Mahabharata. Another interesting legend is told about the temple. Raja Shyam Singh of Suket was imprisoned by the Mughal emperor of Delhi and was held fast in a large drum. The Nag deity appeared before Shyam Sen in the form of Mahun, a honey bee and asked the Raja to give him a place to stay. The Raja promised to give him halfhis kingdom if he could go free. The Mahun changed shape to that ofa man and won the drum from the Mughal emperor in a game of chess. On returning to Suket, the Raja gave Mahun half his state after placing a pillar in the village of Nehri. Mahun Nag refused to accept this generosity and instead asked for a small pocket of land — which is the village of Bakhri where the temple is located. The shrine is believed to have been in existence since the 17th century.
Pangana is 23 km from Chindi via Bakhrot. This small village was the original seat of the rulers of Suket till they shifted the capital to Sundernagar. The centuries-old Devi Kot temple is one of the most remarkable examples of traditional architectural skills. lts wood-mesh packed with dressed-stone, rises sixstories to a height of approximately fifty feet. The deity Mahamaya and the deified princess of Suket, Chandravati are enshrined in the compound. There are a total ofseven temples in Pangana. Tattapani (680m) 43 km from Chindi on the Chindi — Shimla highway this is located on the banks of the river Satluj. Near Tattapani, by the banks of the Saror (Pangana ) stream is a large cave with stalagmite formations regarded to be the embodiment of Lord Shiva. The heights of Devbareyogi above Tattapani present some good views – this is accessed by a sharp climb.
Kamrunag (3300m): Accessible by a trek route that goes from the village of Chowki located on the Chindi-Mano‘, road, this is one of Himachal‘s most remarkable shrines. The deity Kamrunag, has his temple atop a thickly
forested hill and all offerings (which are coins and even gold and silver ornaments) are placed in a large water tank before the temple. The views all around are magnificent and display nature at its finest and most pristine. Considered to be a deity who can control rain. Kamrunag is supplicated bythe local people especially farmers. The Kamrunag Dhar is a series of interlocking hills and is one ofthe finest mid-altitude treks in the state. A large fair is held June every year at the shrine.
Ardhnarishwara Temple. Access from the village of Banthal in the Karsog valley.
Temple of Aledi Mahadev, within the Karsog valley.
Temple of Palinag, Nalagali. A 1 km walk from the main road. En route from Chindi to Karsog, bifurcation point between Bakrot and Sinarli,.
Bhim Rock. ln the village of Naganjan, Karsog Valley. A smaller rock rests atop a large boulder that can be seen from a distance. This regarded to have been set here by Bhima of the Mahabharata. The upper boulder wobbles when the lower one is pushed.
Temple at Churag. Churag also has the bazaar with basic needs that is closest to Chindi (5 kms).
Temple of Nag Dhamooni, Sairi Bangla. (5 kms from Kelodhar, 24 kms from Chindi). There are several large and small Nag temples in the area. They are especially worshipped by childless couples. This is one of the major
ones.
Chatri. This has an old temple and good views. Temple of Nag Dhamooni, Saranda. ( 4 kms from Kelodhar, 23 kms from Chindi).NearSairi Bangla.

HOTELS

HOTEL MAMLESHWAR – Deluxe Hotel
Named after the ancient temple of Mamleshwar Mahadev, Hotel Mamleshwar is an aesthetically built deluxe hotel equipped with all modern facilities. lt has a superb view and has an excellent location near woods and orchards. Being pivotal point for an ideal stay, it is well suited for exploring the entire area.
ADDRESS : Hotel Mamleshwar, Chindi (Karsog), District
Mandi (HP)-171 304 Tel. : (01907)222638

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