The town’s antiquity is established by the Triloknath temple which was built around 1520 A.D. Mandi seems to have derived its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Mandoika’ meaning an open hall or shed. It was also well known to the Tibetans who called it Zahor.

TEMPLES

On a high ground is situated the temple of Shyama Kali also known as Tarna Devi, one of the goddesses of Hindu mythology. It is dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu philosophy a woman has two sides to her nature, one extremely tender and the other highly ferocious. In this temple the divine consort of Lord Shiva is depicted as Kali or Shakti (power) full of fury. The legend goes that once the goddess started dancing and the dance began slowly. Gradually the tempo increased and reached a peak of frenzy. In her ecstasy, her movements, which were delicate and graceful at the start, became wild and terrifying like the tremors of an earthquake. The earth shook and vibrated under the impact of her movements. Panic stricken, people ran to Shiva for help. He obliged them by lying down in her path. Kali stepped on Shiva’s prostrate figure but as soon as she realized who it was, she stopped in her tracks. The idol depicts her in the Rudra Roop or the fearsome form with a garland of human skulls and protruding tongue.

FESTIVITIES

With a rich legacy of venerated temples, it is natural that religious festivals like Janmastami and Shivratri are celebrated at Mandir with much fervor. Janmastami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is observed as a state function with perfect decorum. The main ceremony takes place in the temple of Madho Raj. The idol of the child Krishna is placed in a small cradle covered with gold brocade and suspended from the rafters by silken cords. The Raja himself, who arrives in procession followed by his nobles and officials, decks up the idol with flowers, anoints it, placing his offering of fruits and sweets at the altar to the accompaniment of devotional music provided by (shankh) Conch shells, temple bells and massive drums called nagaras.

By far the most important religious festival is Mahashivratri when the village deities are carried to Mandi to the temple of Baba Bhootnath. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. From far-flung villages these deities are brought in richly decorated palanquins swaying on the shoulders of the devotees to the singing of devotional songs and blowing of conch shells. The devotees believe that at the time of drought, water drawn from the Beas and poured on the idol of Baba Bhootnath, brings rain by the time the poured water drains back in to the Beas. The Shivratri fair lasts for about eight days and is inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. The palanquins with the deities are assembled in the main ground of Mandi. The people in their multicolored robes and skullcaps present a glorious sight against the backdrop of the Dhaulagiri hills. So much color and gaiety can only be witnessed either at Mandi or at Kullu during Dussehra in October.

INTERESTING SITES

Sati pillars called barselas in the local dialect are erected on the left bank of the Suketi Bridge. These six to seven feet high stone pillar are erected in the memory of the deceased rulers of Mandi. When one died it was required by custom to put up such a pillar to perpetuate his memory. His likeness was chiseled on the pillar with his name, date of death along with the names of his wives, concubines and slave girls who perished on his funeral pyre to provide him company in distant world.

The most conspicuous monument is the palace of the Raja of Mandi, which stands in the southern part of the town and presents a number of tall white buildings, with roofs like those of the Chinese pagoda.

About 25 km from Mandi town and 6000 feet above sea level, on the crest of Sikandhar Dhar is the Rewalsar Lake, a place of Pilgrimage. The lake is dotted with seven huge masses of reeds, which give the appearance of small floating islands when the breeze is strong. There are three shrines by the lake, a Buddhist monastery, a temple and a gurudwara (Sikh temple).

GETTING THERE

By Air Bhuntar Airport of Himachal Pradesh is the nearest, 63 km (flight from Delhi via Chandigarh).

By Rail - Nearest station is Kiratpur 125 km away.