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About
Mandi |
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Mandi formerly known as Mandav Nagar
also known as Sahor is a major city and a municipal council in
Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh, India. Mandi is situated
about 153 kilometres north of state capital, Shimla. The city
of Mandi, experiences pleasant summers and cold winters.
Mandi was established in 1527 by Ajbar Sen as the seat of the
Mandi State, a princely state till 1948. Foundation of the
city was laid on the establishment of Himachal Pradesh in
early 1948. Today, it is usually known for the International
Mandi Shivaratri Fair. The city also has the remains of old
palaces and prominent examples of ‘colonial’ architecture. The
city had one of the oldest buildings of Himachal Pradesh.
Mandi is one of the largest city of
Himachal Pradesh with a total area of 23 km2. It is presently
the 2nd largest economy in the state next to Kangra.
According to the 2001 Indian census, Mandi city has a
population of 60,387. Mandi is the third-largest by population
in state, next to Shimla and Solan. Mandi, in the state is
having second highest sex ratio of 1013 females per thousand
males.
As a tourist place, Mandi is often
referred to as "Varanasi of Hills" or "Choti Kashi" or "Kashi
of Himachal". People of Mandi proudly boast that while Benaras
(Kashi) has 80 temples, Mandi has 81. Mandi is the most
fastest developing city of Himachal Pradesh with the 2nd
largest economy in the state and the most important major city
of central part of Himachal which is located on cross junction
of National Highway-20, 21 and 70. It acts as a gateway to
Kullu, Lahaul, Leh Ladakh, area of Jammu & Kashmir.
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Climate of Mandi |
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The climate of Mandi is composite
having hot summers and cold winters. Mandi usually experiences
rainfalls during end of summer season. Mandi city falls in the
lower most climatic zone of the Himalayas. These regions enjoys
a Wet-sub temperate climate of the foot hills (450-900m) as
against the Dry-cold alpine climate with snow fall at higher
elevations (2400- 4800mts). Temperatures naturally range from
6.7 °C (44.06 °F) to 39.6 °C (103.28 °F) over the course of a
year. The average temperature during summer is between 18.9 °C
(66.02 °F) and 39.6 °C (103.28 °F), and between 6.7 °C (44.06
°F) and 26.2 °C (79.16 °F) in winter. Monthly rainfall varies
between 25.4 millimetres in November to 228.6 millimetres in
August. It is usually about 58.3 millimetres per month during
winter and spring and about 101.6 millimetres in June as the
monsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is
832 millimetres . |
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Culture of Mandi |
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The people of Mandi are informally
called Mandyalis. Mandeali language is commonly used at local
level for communication. Sepu Wadi is the official and main
cuisine of Mandi.Dham(Lunch) is generally organised in local
marriages, parties and functions.
Clothing in Mandi was Kurta-Pyjama for
Boys and Sari-Suits for girls but with the Western Culture
arriving to India, Mandi's youth have started wearing Western
styles. However, still there are large numbers of people who
wear the traditional clothing of Himachal Pradesh. Banthra is
the main folk dance performed in theatrical shows in Mandi and
is the official folk dance of the District.
Mandi is also famous for the Mandi
Shivaratri Fair, a fair which was held for seven days in the
month of March every year. The celebration of Shivratri of Mandi
is said to have started in the year 1526 to memorialize the
foundation of present-day Mandi. Before this, the capital of
Mandi was on the right bank of the river Beas, which is now
known as Old Mandi (Purani Mandi). Mandi hosts a half marathon
every year.
Once when the tenth
guru of the Sikhs was on a visit to Mandi, the king of Mandi
invited him to stay at the royal palace. The guru accepted the
invitation to stay in Mandi but not with the king. He put up
outside the town in a quiet place, which had once been the
hermitage of a rishi (Indian sage). The guru was touched by the
king’s devotion and prophesized that Mandi would ever remain
safe and if any enemy tries to harm it, bolts from heaven would
crush the invader. He considered Mandi the safest place on the
planet. |
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History of
Mandi |
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Princely state of Mandi was
founded by Bahu Sen in 1200 AD. But Ajbar Sen was the one
who founded historical city of Mandi in 1526 AD. The
present District of Mandi was formed with the merger of
two princely states Mandi State and Suket (Sundernagar) on
the 15 April 1948, when the State of Himachal Pradesh was
established. Ajbar Sen assassinated Mandi, it led to
beginning of modern period of Mandi history. Old Mandi
capital was deserted and the site of present capital was
attained. Some historians put the selection of present
capital in the year 1527 AD. The statue of Madho Rai, the
presiding deity of Mandi and personification of Lord
Vishnu is said to be made by Goldsmith Bhima, in 1648.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh occupied Mandi in 1839 but Ranjit
Singh died on 27 June 1839. It was beginning of breakdown
of Sikh powers in the hills and British power pppeared as
most powerful. In 1849, Princely states of Mandi, Suket
and Chamba were put under the control of Superintendent 'Cis-Satluj
States'. Lala Lajpat Rai visited Mandi during 1906 to
organize the revolutionary activities. Revolt occurred in
Mandi State against the repressive, corrupt and arrogant
administration of Raja Bhawani Sen and his Wazir Jiwa Nand
Paddha. This revolt was led by Shobha Ram in 1909. A
famous revolutionary of Mandi, Hardev Ram joined
revolutionary band of loyalists in 1913. He went to
Shanghai, Japan and America where he met Dr. Mathura Singh
and Lala Hardayal. Another revolutionary of Mandi Bhai
Hirda Ram started participating in revolutionary
activities in 1914. He joined Kartar Singh Sarba, Bhai
Parma Nand Ras Behari Bose, Sant Baba Wasakha Singh
Dadehar, Pingle and Mathura Singh.
In 1915, on the request of Sarla
Devi, wife of Bhai Hirda Ram, the Viceroy converted his
death sentence into life imprisonment. In the same year,
Nagchala Dacoity in Mandi state took place. In Mandi
conspiracy case, Mandi revolutionary Sidhu Kharara was
sentenced for seven years in 1917. Mandi Legislative
Council was constituted in 1933. Swami Purna Nand of Mandi
was elected as president of "Himalayan Hill states
regional Council" was founded in 1945 & Pt. Padam Dev
became its general secretary. The session of "Himalayan
Hill states regional Council" was held at Mandi from March
8, 1946 to March 10, 1946. It was also attended by INA
activists Dhillon, Sehgal and Shahnawaj. So finally, Mandi
came into existence on April 15, 1948. Suraj Sen ruled
over Mandi at time of Damdama Mahal of Mandi. Until the
mid 20th century, Mandi was on the trade route between
Yarkant County and Ladakh to Hoshiarpur and the Indian
plains, served as commercial hub and trade centre. |
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Geography |
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Mandi is built on the banks of the Beas
River, at the convergence of the Suketi Khad stream. Ghugar Dhar
, Dhar Kot and Sikandar Dhar are some of the famous hills and
mountains which were founded near the city. Mandi is located in
the north-west Himalayas at an average elevation of 1,044 metres
(3,425 ft). It lies on the Midlands of the Himalyan range.
There is great variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal
due to extreme variation in elevation. The climate varies from
hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern areas to alpine, cold
and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges with
more elevation. |
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Religious Places
of worship in Mandi |
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Temples
Mandi has more than 300 old and new temples. Because of the
large number of temples and its location along River Beas, Mandi
is also known as 'Chhoti (Small) Kashi'. Most of the temples are
devoted to Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. There are many classical
temples which the Archaeological Survey of India has declared
'protected monuments' due to their historical significance, the
primary ones being:
1) Ardhanarisvara temple
At the Ardhanarisvara temple Lord Shiva appears in a composite
form with the right half as male and the left half as female -
symbolizing the male and female principles of celestial
evolution. There are some exquisite temples along the College
Road, and the banks of the Beas are lined with many more.
2) Triloknath Temple
Triloknath Temple is located on the right bank of the Beas
River.
3) Mata Kuan Rani Temple
Mata Kuan Rani Temple consists of a slate-roofed temple over a
deep well which is dedicated to the 'Princess of the Well' and
celebrates the time when, according to legend, Mandarava, the
Princess of Sahor (Mandi), became a companion of Padmasambhava.
The king became angry and condemned them both to death in a fire
which raged for seven days. After the smoke cleared there was a
lake with a lotus in it, 'Rewalsar' or Tso Pema .
4) Panchvaktra Temple
Panchvaktra Temple is located at the convergence of Suketi and
Beas rivers the Panchvaktra temple houses the five-faced image
of Lord Shiva. Panchvaktra Temple was built in Shikhara style
of architecture; this temple has been taken over by
Archeological Survey of India and declared as national heritage
monument.
5) Bhootnath Temple
Bhootnath Temple almost identical with Mandi. it is located in
its very heart, this is as old as the city itself, and dates
back to the 1520s. In March, the festival of Shivratri is a
major event and the Bhootnath temple is its focus. For and
entire week the city celebrates the arrival of hundreds of local
deities on highly decorated palanquins.
6) Vishvakarma temple
Viśwákarman is the incarnate influence and the abstract form of
the creator God according to theRigveda. He is the
presiding deity of all architects and craftsmen. He is believed
to be the "Principal Architect of the Universe ", and the root
concept of the later Upanishadic Brahman / Purusha.
7) Bhima Kali Temple
Bhima Kali Temple is situated on the bank of Beas river near
Beas Sadan on Mandi Pathankot National highway.
8) Syamakall Temple
Syamakall Temple also called the temple of Tarna Devi is
situated about 2–3 km from centre of city, this is high on Tarna
Hill which rises above the city. It was founded Raja Syama Sen
in the 17th century after a particularly trying time, when the
goddess gave him success. Other Temples in Mandi within the city
is a absolute roll-call of shrines. Apart from the emotions they
suggest, they also have a wealth of classical architecture and
elaborate sculpture.
9) Gyarah Rudra temple
At the Gyarah Rudra temple famous 'Amarnath darshan' takes
place, the temple is decorated to resemble the Amarnath cave.
10) Tarna Temple, also called Shyama Kali temple - Tarna
Temple was founded by king Shyam Sen at the top of hill named as
Tarna Hill, at an elevation of 300 feet above sea level. Tarna
temple houses the image of Godess Kaali, Lord Shiva and others.
There about 305 stairs path to the temple from main bazar.
11) Shikari Mata temple - Shikari Mata temple is
situated at a distance of 10 km from janjehli. The temple is all
about Goddess "Shikari Devi" and people visits here in masses to
accolades for their well being. Its a striking and scenariatic
place with mountains seems to avoiding each other but the clouds
more often use to get them in touch.
Gurudwara at Mandi
Mandi has an historical Gurudwara in honour of Guru Gobind
Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, who spent some time in Mandi. The
people and the ruler greetd him with great warmth and supported
the Guru in his war against the oppressive rule of the Mughal
Emperor Aurangzeb; it is said that the city has the Guru's
blessings. The Gurdwara is also unofficially referred to as
Gurudwara Palang Sahab, because the Guru's Bed 'Palang' is still
preserved here. |
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Tourist Attractions in Mandi |
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Sunken Garden (Indira Market)
It is a
lush green garden with a flourishing shopping complex Sunken
Garden in Mandi is a display of hill architecture. A pagoda-type
structure with a clock tower is the major attraction in the
garden. Behind this wonderful structure there lies a terrible
story of the erstwhile Mandi king, who killed his own son in law
and buried him in the present day Sunken garden.
Kamlah Fort
This fort stands on terrifying terrain but it can be trekkers’
delight. Kamlah-Fort was named after Kamlah Baba who was a local
saint, the fort stands on uneven ranges of Sikandar Dhar. The
fort stands at an elevation of 4772 feet. The main entrance to
the fort is almost complex. The fort remained unconquerable for
centuries; but it fell in 1840, into the hands of Bentura,
Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s general. It was restored to Mandi kings
in 1846.
Rewalsar Lake
Rewalsar Lake is well-known for its floating islands of
reed. It lies in a mountain hollow. It is believed that all
seven of them can be moved by prayer or breeze. Boating
facilities are also available here. There are three shrines
here, a Buddhist Monastery, where complex customs are performed,
a Sikh Gurudwara and a Hindu Temple. It was from this place that
the sage Padma Sambhava, a enthusiastic teacher of Buddhism,
left as a missionary to preach the doctrine of "the enlightened"
in Tibet. The lake is held holy to all three communities
Prashar Lake
Prashar Lake lies 49 km north of Mandi, with a three storied
pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The Lake is
located at an elevation of 2730 m above sea level., The lake is
held sacred with deep blue waters to the sage Prashar and he is
regarded to have meditated there. Surrounded by snow-capped
peaks and looking down on the fast flowing river Beas, the lake
can be approached via Drang.
Victoria Suspension Bridge
It was founded in 1877 A.D. which separates Jawahar Nagar (Khaliar),
Old Mandi (Purani Mandi) from Main City.
Sundernagar
Sundernagar is famous for its temples which is located at an
elevation of 1,174 metres on the raised edge of a fertile
valley, the town of Sundernagar is known for its shady walks
amidst towering trees. On top of a hill, is the Sukhdev Vatika
and temple of Mahamaya. The biggest hydro-electric project in
all Asia, the Beas-Sutlej project, irrigating about one-fourth
of the northern plains of India, has brought unique prosperity
to Sudernagar. The Beas-Sutlej link colony is the biggest colony
in Himachal Pradesh.
Janjehli
Janjehli is located at a distance of 80 km from Mandi City,
Janjehli is a heaven for hikers, offering treks up to a height
of 3,300 metres. After covering 32 km by a motorable road up to
Gohar and rest of the journey is on foot. In the midst of thick
forest, forests (15 km from Gohar) is Bajahi. Chindi and Karsog
are also nice places for meditation. Janlehli is also famous for
adventure activities like-trekking, skiing, night safari and
mountneering etc.
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How to reach
Mandi |
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By Rail
Kiratpur is the nearest railway station to Mandi, which is about
125 km away. Kiratpur is well connected to all other Indian
cities via Chandigarh.
By Road
State owned bus services are available which connects Mandi to
other cities in and around. Mandi is well connected to other
tourist destinations near by in Himachal by private deluxe bus
services.
By Air
Bhuntar is the nearest airport to Mandi, which is about 59 km
away from Mandi. Bhuntar is connected to Delhi by air. Delhi is
the major nearest airport, which is about 460 km away from
Mandi. Delhi airport is linked with all major cities in India
and many cities abroad. |
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