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The historic town of Mandi (800m) is
situated along the banks of river Beas. It has long been an
important commercial centre, and the sage Mandava is said to have meditated here.
Mandi is renowned for its 81 temples and their enormous range of fine carving.
Mandi is known as the
‘Kashi of the Hills’. The town also has remains of old palaces and notable
examples of colonial architecture. Mandi is the gateway to the Kullu valley and acts as
a base for several exciting excursions.
ACCESS:
The nearest airport at Bhunter is 59 km. The broad-gauge railhead is at Pathankot at
a
distance of 210 km. From Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder Nagar, 56 km from Mandi. From Chandigarh one can drive directly to Mandi via Ropar and Bilaspur,
the distance is 203 km The drive takes around 5 hours. Luxury / Volvo coaches from Delhi and Shimla bound for Kullu - Manali travel via Mandi.
CLIMATE:
In winter, temperatures can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required.
During summer, the climate is hot and cottons are recommended.
THE MANDAV MANDI: Named
after the sage of yore and built in a patch of woodland, Hotel Mandav is located
off the national highway, with proximity to the town's centre and near to the bus station. This
overlooks the quite waters of Beas river and the
rooms overlooks the Mandi town, its old temples and the wide concourse. Tarna Hill which rises above the town, faces the hotel.
ADDRESS:
Hotel Mandav, Mandi ( H.P.)
Tel: (01905) - 235503 Fax: 01905 - 235551
CLASS:
Deluxe Hotel.
Check availability and book The Mandav
NOTE:
During May-June all rooms will be sold on
Continental Plan (CP) by adding Rs. 100/- per room per day on double occupancy
on the mentioned tariff.
-
Tariff on CP during May-June
- All rooms are airy, specious, well furnished and have attached baths
with running hot & cold water.
-
Satellite Television
- Rooms service, Laundry and
Dry Cleaning.
- Parking within premises, Doctor on Call.
- Bar & Restaurant serving India, Chinese, Continental and
Himachali Cuisine including special Mandi dishes
PLACES
OF INTEREST
BHOOTNATH TEMPLE:-
Practically
synonymous with Mandi and located in its very heart, this is as old as the town 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 an entire week the town celebrates the arrival of
hundreds of local deities on elaborately decorated palanquins.
SYAMAKALI TEMPLE:- Also called the
temple of Tarna Devi, this is high on Tarna Hill which rises above the town.
Built In the 17th
century by Raja Syama Sen after particularly trying times when the goddess
gave him success.
OTHER TEMPLES IN MANDI TOWN:-
Within
the town is a variable roll call of shrines. Apart from the emotions they evoke, they
are also
a wealth of classical architecture and ornate sculpture. Many of these are devoted to
Lord Shiva, at the Triloknath Temple He is depicted as the lord of the three worlds, at
the Panchvaktra He has five faces, expressing His five aspects. At the Ardhanarisvara
Temple, Lord Shiva appears in a composite form with right half as a male and the left
half as a female symbolizing the male and female principles of cosmic evolution. There are
several exquisite temples along the College road, and the bank of the Beas is lined with
many more. At the Gyarah Rudra Temple, the day the famous Amarnath darshan takes place,
the temple is decorated to resemble as Amarnath Cave. The other places of interest within
Mandi are the Rani Amrit Kaur Park, the District Library Building and Vijay Kesari Bridge.
PANDOH:
16 km from Mandi, an earth
and rock fill dam is located here.
SUNDERNAGAR
(1175m):
24 km from Mandi is this attractive town where the balancing reservoir of the Beas - Sutlej link canal
is located. The road has the canal on one side and lush green field on the other which
makes driving along it a real pleasure. The Mahamaya Temple is on top of the hill.
PRASHAR
LAKE (92730m):
40 km north
of Mandi is this beautiful lake, with a three storied pagoda style Temple dedicated to the
sage Prashar.
JANJHELI
(2200m):
67 km from Mandi
this is a scenic place with thick forests and springs. It is also the base of some
excellent treks.
SHIKARI DEVI (2850m): 15 Km from Janjheli there is an ancient temple here and some marvelous landscapes.
SHOPPING: A variety of traditional
handcrafts including silver jewelry and stone carvings can be purchased at Mandi.
Located on a mountain spur, an
hour’s drive from Mandi brings you to this jewel like lake.
With water, woodland and high hills, it presents a variety of natural beauty and the spot
is sacred for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It was here that the great Indian teacher and tantric, Padmasabhava left for Tibet. Known to the Tibetans as Guru Rimpoche
- the Precious
Master. It was under Padmasambahava’s influence that Mahayana Buddhism spread over
Tibet. There are islands of floating reed on Rewalsar Lake and the spirit of Padmasabhava
is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lomas did penance in devotion to Lord
Shiva, and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh also resided here for one month.
ACCESS:
Rewalsar is 24 km by road from Mandi. Taxis and buses are available at Mandi.
CLIMATE:
In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are
required. During summer, the climate is mild and light woolens/cottons are recommended.
TOURIST INN, REWALSAR:
Built
on a slight rise, with a commanding view of both the lake and the valley below,
Himachal Tourism runs Tourist Inn at Rewalsar. Its presence enables every visitor to truly
savor the beauty and ambience of this enchanting spot.
ADDRESS:
Tourist Inn, Rewalsar (H.P.) - 175001.
Tel.: (01905) - 240252
CLASS: Budget Hotel.
Check availability and book The Tourist Inn
NOTE:
During May-June all rooms will be sold on
Continental Plan (CP) by adding Rs. 100/- per room per day on double occupancy
on the mentioned tariff.
-
Tariff on CP during May-June
- Rooms are airy, decently furnished and have
attached baths with running hot & cold water.
- Parking within premises, Restaurant
PLACES
OF INTEREST
MONASTERIES:- At opposite ends of
the lake there are two Tibetans monasteries. The Bhutanese also have one.
GURUDWARA:- This Gurudwara was built
in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. It commemorates Guru Gobind Singh’s visit,
when he sought to evolve a common strategy with the hill rulers against the Mughal emperor
Aurangzeb.
TEMPLE:- At Rewalsar there are three
Hindu temples. These are dedicated to the sage Lomas, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.
MINI ZOO:- The forest department
maintains a small zoo at Rewalsar. Above Rewalsar, Seven Lakes are also of interest.
For short excursions and picnics,
once the summer capital of Raja Bilaspur, is ideally situated 40 km off Bilaspur on the Bilaspur - Chandigarh NH 21. This is an ideal spot for
stopover. In the night twinkling lights in the plains of
Punjab are worth seeing. The temple dedicated to Laxmi Narayan is located here.
ACCESS:
The nearest airport, broad gauge railhead is at Chandigarh, (86 km). Bilaspur is
40 km. Regular Taxis and buses are available from Bilaspur.
CLIMATE:
In winter the temperature is mild when heavy woolens are required. Summer is pleasant
and cottons are recommended.
 THE HILL
TOP: The hotel is located on NH-21, which is 40 km short to Bilaspur
on the hill top as the name suggests. It is a perfect halting place for tourists
traveling from plains This
is a modern hotel with all
conveniences and amenities that makes for a quiet gateway. The restaurant and
fast food counter at the hotel is popular as a journey break in point to catch a
nourishing meal or a refreshing drink before one moves on along the route.
ADDRESS:
Hotel Hill Top, Swarghat, Distt. Bilaspur (H.P.) - 174 011.
Tel:(01978) - 284112.
CLASS:
Deluxe
Hotel.
Check availability and book The Hill Top
NOTE:
During May-June all rooms will be sold on
Continental Plan (CP) by adding Rs. 100/- per room per day on double occupancy
on the mentioned tariff.
-
Tariff on CP during May-June
- Rooms are
modern with attached baths and running hot & cold water
- Parking within premises, Restaurant , Fast food Counter
- Satellite Television
-
The Lake
View, Bilaspur : The hotel is located at NH-21 and is on the way to
Kullu & Manali.
 Bilaspur is
situated in Satluj Valley in outer Hills. Satluj is the main river which passes
through the middle of the Bilaspur District and divides it into almost equal
parts. The new township of Bilaspur can be regarded as first planned hill
town of the State.
PLACES
OF INTEREST
The old Bilaspur town was founded by
Rishi Ved Vyas. The place is famous for Gobind Sagar lake which offers a variety of water
sports in collaboration with the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali.
Year-around activities include boating, water skiing surfing, Rowing etc.
VYAS GOOFA: The name of sage Vyas is
well known in this part and in fact he must have frequently roamed about in this area,
from Thaneshwar to Rohtang wherein river Vyas emerges and there is a pond called Vyas Kund. It is situated in the foot of new township.
It is believed he meditated in this cave.
KANDROR
BRIDGE: This bridge is 285 meter long and suspended over a ravine
that is 60 meter high. The bridge is considered an engineering feat.
MARKANDA: This is a famous shrine,
20 km from Bilaspur named after renowned Rishi Markandaya. A fair is held annually on Baishakhi day.
Water from natural spring here are reputed to have
curative effects on some skin diseases.
FORTS:
The Bilaspur district has many
facts of ancient time which are worth visiting. Some of these are Bachhretu
Fort, 64 km from Bilaspur, Baseh Fort 70 km, Kot - Kahlur Fort
40 km from Bilaspur and Rattanpur Fort 21 km.
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ACCESS:
The nearest airport is at Shimla (86 km) and broad gauge railhead is at Chandigarh, (86 km).
Mandi is
69 km. Regular Taxis and buses are available from Bilaspur.
CLIMATE:
In winter the temperature is mild when heavy woolens are required. Summer is hot
and pleasant
and cottons are recommended.
THE LAKE
VIEW, BILASPUR :
The hotel is located on NH-21, which is 86 km from Chandigarh on the bank of
Bilaspur Lake as the name depicts. It is a perfect halting place for tourists
traveling from plains and on the way to Manali, Shimla or Dharamsala. This
is a modern hotel
with all conveniences and amenities that makes for a quiet gateway. The
restaurant at the hotel is popular as a journey break in point to catch a
nourishing meal or a refreshing drink before one moves on along the route.
ADDRESS:
The Lake View, Bilaspur, H.P.
Tel: 01978-222838
Fax.No.: 01978-224538
CLASS: Deluxe
Hotel.
Check availability and book The
Lake View
- Modern rooms
with attached baths with hot & cold water
- Parking within premises, Restaurant , Fast food Counter
- Satellite Television
-
Beer Bar
-
Conference Hall
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