Mandi, also known as 'Varanasi of Hills', is a well-known and famous district situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the river Beas, the historic city of Mandi was earlier known as Mandav Nagar after the great Sage Mandav. The present District Of Mandi which is famous among holidaymakers as a summer destination was formed with the merger of the two princely states Mandi and Suket on 15th April 1948, immediately after the State of Himachal Pradesh came into existence.
Mandi is famous for Banthra, the official folk dance of the District, which is performed in theatrical shows now and then. To celebrate the foundation of the present-day Mandi an International Fair called Mandi Shivaratri takes place for seven days in the month of March every year that attracts tourists from across the nation.
Tourist Places In And Around Mandi
Famous for its stone temples, the destination has more than 300 shrines devoted to the Hindu deities Shiva and Kali. Some of the popular and ancient temples include the Panchvaktra Temple, the Ardhanarisvara Temple, and the Triloknath Temple.
The Bhootnath Temple, one of the oldest temples of the region built in 1520, is a famous tourist attraction of Mandi. Gurudwara Gobind Singh also attracts a fair share of tourists every year. Perched at an elevation of 11500 ft above sea level, Shikari Peak in Mandi is another noted tourist destination. Also, known as the ‘Shikari Devi Peak’, this peak has a temple devoted to Shikari Devi.
Other important attractions include the Sunken Garden, The District Library Building, the Vijay Kesari Bridge, Pandoh Lake, Sundernagar, Prashar Lake, Janjheli, the Rani Amrit Kaur Park, the Bir Monastery and the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is also quite popular among tourists visiting Mandi. It is home to a variety of fauna including goral, monal, black bear, barking deer, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, cat, leopard, and the Himalayan palm civet.
How To Reach Mandi
The destination can be easily reached via
Air- Bhuntar Airport is the nearest air base to Mandi, located at a distance of about 59 km from the town.
Rail- Kiratpur Railway Station is the nearest rail head located at a distance of about 125 km from Mandi.
Road- State-owned buses, which connect Mandi to its neighbouring cities, can be availed by tourists to reach the destination.
Best Time To Visit Mandi
Travellers are advised to visit Mandi during the months of March and October.