Built along the
Beas river is the historic town of Mandi, the gateway to the
Kullu valley . Literally meaning market, Mandi was on the salt
route to Tibet. This place offers better option to break
journey to the Kullu valley . A district headquarter, Mandi is
also renowned for its 81 old stone temples with exquisite
carvings, thereby earning it the title of 'Varanasi of the
Hills'. The town also has some remains of old palaces and
notable examples of the 'colonial' architecture.
The Shivaratri
Bhutnath celebrations in the Bhutnath temple attract tourists
every year in large numbers. There are also two lakes near
Mandi, which provide a good breather for the visitor. About
five kms from the main town is the Tarana hills and on the top
of the hill is Rani Amrit Kaur Park. From here one gets very
good view of the nearby areas. The park has enclosed the Syama
Kali temple, which was, built some where in the 17th century.
In the days of
yore, the pious sage, Mandavaya, performed long and severe
penance and practised unthinkable austerities on his body, on
the right bank of the river Beas, near the present town,
which, then took his name.
TEMPLES
Triloknath Shiva
Temple:
It is built in the Nagari style
with a tiled roof. The temple at the centre of a group of
sculpted stones shrines, overlooks the river and offers good
views. Inside the temple, Lord Shiva has been depicted as the
lord of the three worlds, at the Panchvakhra he has five
faces, expressing his five aspects.
Bhutnath Temple:
Practically synonymous with
Mandi and located in its very heart, this temple is as old as
the town itself, dating back to the 1520's. It has a Nandi or
god Shiva's bull facing the ornamental double arch to the
sanctuary. The modern shrines nearby are brightly painted. In
the month of March, the festival of Shivratri is a major event
and Bhootnath Temple is its focus.
Syamakali Temple:
Also known as the Tarna Devi Temple, this temple is situated
on the Tarna Hill, which rises above the town. Raja Syama Sen
built the temple in the 17th century after a particularly
trying time when the goddess gave him success.
Ardhanarishvara
Temple:
This 7th century specimen of
temple architecture, enclosed structure of Lord Shiva in a
composite form with the right half as male and the left half
as female- symbolising the male and female principles of
cosmic evolution .
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