Mandi
Experience the Varanasi of Hills
Mandi Tourism
Almost everyone likes to take time out from a world of work and relax once in a while. One way of relaxing that has become popular amongst the people of today’s society is to take a vacation. This action has taken off with the people of today’s society. If you are interested in visiting places of religious and historical significance with the picturesque view then Mandi is the place you should be looking at. Mandi, also known as Sahor, Choti Kashi and Varanasi of Hills, is a city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It was formerly known as Mandav Nagar and falls in the Mandi district. There are several temples, mosques, and gurudwaras located in the city. It is located at a distance of around 145 km from Shimla, the state capital and this has led to an increase in the number of tourists in the city. The place is situated at the junction of Kulu and Dharamshala and is wrapped with lush greenery and tea plantations. In addition to being a commercial hub, it also has several palaces and structures of colonial architecture. Mandi has several laces to be visited in and around the city and boasts of having something to offer for each and everyone.
Food
The local dishes are Tibetan and Himachali. The place has several stalls that sell steam and fried momos, which are stuffed with potato, cabbage, spinach, radish, and may include chicken or pork. It is served with chili sauce. Noodle is also a popular dish of the place. The must-try dishes of the place are Thukpa, momos, locally known as Tingmo, Baklebs, and Lang Phing. There are a variety of dishes that people can try such as Boor ki Kari, Chicken Anardana, Sepu Vadi, Gucchi Mattar, Kaddu Ka Khatta, etc. The non-vegetarian dishes are mostly spicy in the entire region in and around Shimla. There are restaurants that people can go to for a variety of cuisines, also there are enough dhabas that are quite affordable and can fit the budget of the tourists.
Top things do in Mandi
1. Barot
38 kilometres from city centre2. Kamlah Fort
27 kilometres from city centre3. Sunder Nagar
20 kilometres from city centre4. Pandoh Dam
13 kilometres from city centre5. Chindi
44 kilometres from city centre6. Janjehli
44 kilometres from city centre7. Bhima Kali Temple
2 kilometres from city centre8. Kamru Nag Lake
28 kilometres from city centre9. Prashar Lake Trek
17 kilometres from city centre10. Bhutnath temple
0 kilometres from city centre11. Shikhari Devi Temple
34 kilometres from city centre12. Rewalsar Lake
12 kilometres from city centre13. Shopping in Mandi
0 kilometres from city centre14. Indira Shopping Complex
0 kilometres from city centre15. Trekking
1492 kilometres from city centre16. Tattapani
48 kilometres from city centre17. Fishing
31 kilometres from city centre
How to reach
Mandi does not have an airport or a railway station of its own. There are bus services that are available to reach the place.
How to Reach by Flight
Mandi does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is located in Bhuntar, located at a distance of around 60 km from the city. There are also cab services available from outside the airport.
How to Reach by Train
Mandi does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest one is in Joginder Nagar, located at a distance of around 55 km from Mandi, however, it is not a broad gauge, the broad gauge is located at Pathankot, at a distance of around 210 km.
How to Reach by Bus
There are HRTC bus services available that connect Mandi to Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and other nearby cities. There are public as well as private buses that help the place to be connected to other major cities.
How to Reach by Road
Mandi is located at a distance of around 480 km from Delhi. There are good cab services, which are the most preferred mode of transportation to reach the city of Mandi.
How to travel within
There are auto-rickshaws, buses and cab services that help people to travel from one place to the other within the city.
Festival
One of the major festivals of the city is the Mandi Shivaratri Fair, an international fair held for 7 days. There are also other fairs like Nalwar Fair, celebrated in Sundernagar, a town near Mandi. There are also Kalshu Lambodar Mata Fair, Kamrunag Fair, and Chadhu Fair.
Shopping
The place is also popular for its stone and metal works that are bought in huge numbers by the tourists to take home as souvenirs for friends and family. Woven rugs, shawls, and carpets are also available for tourists to buy from the city.
Mandi Itinerary
Day 1- After reaching the Bhuntar Airport, leave for Mandi. After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Barot, Bhima Kali Temple, Bhutnath Temple and then visit Indira Shopping Complex.
Day 2- After breakfast, leave for Chindi, Janjehli, Kamlah Fort, Kamru Nag Lake and also go for fishing.
Day 3- After breakfast leave for Pandoh Dam, Prashar Lake Trek and Rewalsar Lake.
Day 4- After breakfast, leave for Shikhari Devi Temple, Sunder Nagar, Tattapani and then go for trekking. In the evening visit the markets of Mandi.