Mandi
The historic town of Mandi (800 m) is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre and the sage Mandva is said to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Today, it is a district headquarters. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town has remains of old palaces and notable examples of 'colonial' architecture. The temples of Bhutnath, Trilokinath, Panchvaktra and Shyamakali are among the more famous ones. The week long international Shivratri fair in Mandi is the major attraction of the area every year. In the year 2011 the fair was celebrated from 3rd-9th March. In the fair the activities like cultural programmes in the evenings, exhibitions, sports etc. are the major attractions for the tourists as well as locals.
Prashar Lake
This lake lies 45 km north of Mandi, with a three storied pagoda like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The Lake is located at an height of 2730 m above sea level. With deep blue waters, the Lake is held sacred to the sage Prashar and he is regarded to have meditated here. Framed by snow-capped peaks and looking down on fast flowing river Beas, the Lake can be approached via Drang. Every year in the month of June, famous traditional fair is held here. Several camping sites are also located here and it is the base for numerous easy & hard treks.
Pangna fort
In a pleasant and open valley of Pangna a village in Karsog Tehsil of Mandi District stands the Pangna fort. It is a tower-like structure on a fifty foot stone platform overlooking the little village spread on its either side. The seven storeyed tower-like fort-palace has an old-world grandeur. It is just 60 feet high and is built in typical hill architecture in which only wood and stone are used. The woodcarvings are decorative and look new and fresh even after so many centuries of wear and tear. In the open courtyard there is a Mahamaya temple.
Pangna fort-palace has two incidents attached to it because of which the rulers abandoned the palace: one about the recovery of an idol and second the imprisonment of a princess in one of its rooms on false allegations.
Climate: hot in summers, cold in winters
Location: In Karsog valley of Mandi district but it is nearer from Shimla
Accommodation: HPTDC Hotel Chindi, HPPWD Rest house at Pangna (just in the fort premises), HPTDC and other accommodation in Karsog town.
Reaching there: Driving from Shimla to Karsog via Tattapani, there is a bifurcation : the main road goes to Karsog while the other goes to Pangna village, 10 km from the bifurcation.
Places of interest: Karsog Valley and a large number of temples around, Shikari Devi temple, Chindi and many other.
General information:
This lake lies 45 km north of Mandi, with a three storied pagoda like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The Lake is located at an height of 2730 m above sea level. With deep blue waters, the Lake is held sacred to the sage Prashar and he is regarded to have meditated here. Framed by snow-capped peaks and looking down on fast flowing river Beas, the Lake can be approached via Drang. Every year in the month of June, famous traditional fair is held here. Several camping sites are also located here and it is the base for numerous easy & hard treks.
Pangna fort
In a pleasant and open valley of Pangna a village in Karsog Tehsil of Mandi District stands the Pangna fort. It is a tower-like structure on a fifty foot stone platform overlooking the little village spread on its either side. The seven storeyed tower-like fort-palace has an old-world grandeur. It is just 60 feet high and is built in typical hill architecture in which only wood and stone are used. The woodcarvings are decorative and look new and fresh even after so many centuries of wear and tear. In the open courtyard there is a Mahamaya temple.
Pangna fort-palace has two incidents attached to it because of which the rulers abandoned the palace: one about the recovery of an idol and second the imprisonment of a princess in one of its rooms on false allegations.
Climate: hot in summers, cold in winters
Location: In Karsog valley of Mandi district but it is nearer from Shimla
Accommodation: HPTDC Hotel Chindi, HPPWD Rest house at Pangna (just in the fort premises), HPTDC and other accommodation in Karsog town.
Reaching there: Driving from Shimla to Karsog via Tattapani, there is a bifurcation : the main road goes to Karsog while the other goes to Pangna village, 10 km from the bifurcation.
Places of interest: Karsog Valley and a large number of temples around, Shikari Devi temple, Chindi and many other.
General information:
Area: 3950 sq. km
Population 9.01 lakh
Clothing: Cotton clothes in Summer and heavy woolen in winter.
Language: Hindi, Punjabi, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade.
Approach:
Clothing: Cotton clothes in Summer and heavy woolen in winter.
Language: Hindi, Punjabi, English are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade.
Approach:
Rail The nearest railway station is at Joginder Nagar, Chandigarh and Kalka by broad gauge train which are connected by regular bus services.
Road: Mandi is approachable by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. There are regular bus services linking it to the other towns like Manali, Palampur and Dharamshala.
Road: Mandi is approachable by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. There are regular bus services linking it to the other towns like Manali, Palampur and Dharamshala.
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