Mandi District :

Mandi, formerly known as Mandav Nagar, also known as Sahor (Tibetan: Zahor), is a major town and a municipal council in Mandi District in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

It is situated 153 kilometres (95 mi) north of state capital, Shimla in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 850 metres (2,790 ft), and experiences pleasant summers and cold winters. Mandi is connected to the Pathankot through National Highway 20which is almost 220 km(140 mi) long and to Manali and Chandigarh through National Highway 21 which is 323 km(201 mi) long. Mandi is approximately 184.6 km (114.7 mi) from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 440.9 km (273.9 mi) from New Delhi, the national capital. In the 2011 Indian census, Mandi city had a population of 26,422. Mandi district is currently the 2nd largest economy in the state next to Kangra. Mandi, in the state is having second highest sex ratio of 1013 females per thousand males.

History :

The present District of Mandi was formed with the merger of two princely states, Mandi State and Suket State, on 15 April 1948, when the State of Himachal Pradesh was established. Untill the mid 20th century, Mandi was on the trade route between Yarkant County and Ladakh to Hoshiarpur and the Indian plains, served as commercial hub and trade centre.

Demographics :

As of 2001 India census, City had a population of 26,858. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Mandi has an average literacy rate of 83.5%, higher than the national average of 65.38% & almost equal to state's literacy rate(83.57%): male literacy is 92%, and female literacy is 75%. In Mandi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Mandi had a very high sex ratio – 1013 girls for every 1000 boys in 2011. Mandi has a mixed population of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians with more than 90% population being Hindu. According to census 2011, the city has a population of 26,422

Historical events :

Princely state of Mandi was founded by Bahu Sen in 1200 AD. But Ajbar Sen was the one who founded historical city of Mandi in 1526 AD. The Chiefs of Mandi State are said to be the descendants of common ancestors of the Chandervanshi line of rajputs of Sen dynasty of Bengal who claim to be the descendants of Pandavas of Mahabharata times.

The present District of Mandi was formed with the merger of two princely states Mandi State and Suket (Sundernagar) on 15 April 1948, when the State of Himachal Pradesh was established. Ajbar Sen assassinated Mandi, it led to beginning of modern period of Mandi history. Old Mandi capital was abandoned and the site of present capital was acquired. Some historians put the selection of present capital in the year 1527 AD. The idol of Madho Rai, the presiding deity of Mandi and incarnation of Lord Vishnu is said to be made by Goldsmith Bhima, in 1648.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh occupied Mandi in 1839 but Ranjit Singh died on 27 June 1839. It was beginning of disintegration of Sikh powers in the hills and British power emerged as most powerful. In 1849, Princely states of Mandi, Suket and Chamba were put under the control of Superintendent 'Cis-Satluj States'. Lala Lajpat Rai visited Mandi during 1906 to organize the revolutionary activities. Revolt occurred in Mandi State against the repressive, corrupt and arrogant administration of Raja Bhawani Sen and his Wazir Jiwa Nand Paddha. This revolt was led by Shobha Ram in 1909. A Prominent revolutionary of Mandi, Hardev Ram joined revolutionary band of patriots in 1913. He went to Shanghai, America and Japan where he met Lala Hardayal and Dr. Mathura Singh. Another revolutionary of Mandi Bhai Hirda Ram started participating in revolutionary activities in 1914. He joined Ras Behari Bose,Sant Baba Wasakha Singh Dadehar, Mathura Singh, Kartar Singh Sarba, Bhai Parma Nand and Pingle. In 1915, on the request of Sarla Devi, wife of Bhai Hirda Ram, the Viceroy converted his death sentence into life imprisonment. In the same year, Nagchala Dacoity in Mandi state took place. In Mandi conspiracy case, Mandi revolutionary Sidhu Kharara was sentenced for seven years in 1917.

Mandi Legislative Council was constituted in 1933. Swami Purna Nand of Mandi was elected as president of "Himalayan Hill states regional Council" (founded in 1945) & Pt. Padam Dev became its general secretary. The session of "Himalayan Hill states regional Council" was held at Mandi from 8 March 1946 to 10 March 1946. It was also attended by INA activists Dhillon, Sehgal and Shahnawaj. So finally, Mandi came into existence on 15 April 1948. Suraj Sen ruled over Mandi at time of Damdama Mahal of Mandi.

Geography :

Mandi is built on the banks of the Beas River, at the confluence of the Suketi Khad stream. Sikandar Dhar, Ghugar Dhar and Dhar Kot are some of the prominent hills and mountains found near the city. Mandi is located in 31°72'N latitude and 76°92'E longitude. It has an average elevation of 850 metres (2,790 feet). It lies on the Midlands of the Himalayan range.There is great variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal due to extreme variation in elevation. The climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern tracts to cold, alpine and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges with more elevation.

Economy :

Being District headquarters, the entire District depends upon the city for trade & commerce, services and civil administration. The economy of the region is predominately agrarian as around 79% of the total population is dependent on agriculture and activities allied to it, for earning their livelihood.

Balh Valley is known for producing quality wheat, paddy, and vegetable crop where the water drainage system and sprinkle system of irrigation have been adopted. The crops of corn maize, wheat, rice and vegetables are grown in other parts of the district, which cater to the demand of sizeable population. A milk processing plant run by H.P. State Co-Operation-Milk- Federation at Chakkar is 8 kilometres from Mandi.

The people of Mandi follow an agrarian economy and cultivate rice, pulses, millets, tea, sesame seed, groundnut, sunflower oil and herbal products. Himachal Pradesh Town and Planning Department works for Mandi Planning area (MPA). More than 9,000 farmers are directly involved in cocoon cultivation for producing Silk in lower hills of Mandi District. Mandi District is also facing tough competition from China, which is marketing raw silk at much lower rates in the market.

Many Hectares of land in Mandi is also under Apple production. Apples are generally planted during December every year. The area under fruit in Mandi is about 15 per cent of the total area under fruits in Himachal Pradesh. Mandi raw silk has acquired wide fame but the salt mines at Drang and Guma are the special features of the economy. With abundant deposit of salt and limestone, possibilities are being investigated for the existence of magnasite coal and china-clay. Mandi also has fish markets where brown trout is one of the most demanded fish species. In Mandi, a farmer gets around Rs.200 a kg for Brown Trout.

Culture :

The people of Mandi are informally called Mandyalis. Mandeali language is generally used at local level for communication. Sepu Wadi is the official and main cuisine of Mandi. Dham(Lunch) is generally organised in local marriages, functions and parties.

The International Mandi Shivaratri Fair is a fair held in Mandi for seven days in the month of March every year. The celebration of Shivratri of Mandi is said to have started in the year 1526 to commemorate the foundation of present-day Mandi. Before this, the capital of Mandi was on the right bank of the river Beas, which is now known as Old Mandi (Purani Mandi). Mandi hosts a half marathon every year.

Tourist Places :

Prashar Lake : Prashar Lake is a crystal clear water body situated about 50 km north of Mandi, with a three-storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The lake is located at the height of 2730 m above sea level with deep blue waters and holds a saintly position there. Bounded by mighty Dhauladhar ranges in Kullu Valley, the place is full of mystic charm. It is surrounded by snow-topped peaks and looks down on the fast flowing river Beas. The temple was built in the thirteenth century, and its construction comes under the light of a vague myth. The lake has a floating island in it, and its actual depth is unclear.

Bhutnath temple : The spirituality of this temple dates back to 1520s and is as old as the town itself. Located almost at the center of the town, the temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Pilgrims will find Nandi or Lord Shiva's bull facing the ornamental arch entrance to the complex. The Shivaratri festival celebrated in the month of March is a major event of this temple and town.

Pandoh Dam : Pandoh Dam is an embankment Dam that lies in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Constructed on Beas River, the primary purpose of Pandoh Dam is hydroelectric power generation. It was commissioned in 1977 and is located at a distance of 10 km from Manali. The man-made lake created by the dam draws a good number of people towards it.

Being a part of a run-of-the-river power design, the Pandoh Dam diverts water from Beas to southwest through a channel of tunnels which are 38 km long. Before it is discharged into the Sutlej River, the water of the dam is used for power generation at the Dehar Power House (with a capacity of 990 MW). The dam is under Bhakra Beas Management Board.

Rewalsar Lake : Also known as the Tso Pema Lotus Lake, the Rewalsar Lake in Mandi is a mid-altitude lake that is located on a mountain spur in Mandi district, about 23 kilometres to the south of Mandi.

This square-shaped lake has a shoreline of 735 kilometres and is located at an elevation of 1,360 metres above the sea level. The mixture of water, woodland and hills at this stunning lake here exemplify the wilderness of nature and are indeed a sight to behold. The Rewalsar Lake is considered to be a revered spot for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike, and houses three Hindu temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Sage Lomas respectively; as well as three other Buddhist monasteries. The holy lake, Kunt bhyog, which is located at an altitude of 1,750 metres above the sea level, is located above the Rewalsar Lake and is also a famous tourist attraction. The Tibetans call the lake as 'Tso-Pema' which means the Lotus Lake. There is a 12-metre high statue of Padmasambhava at the lake, which is the main attraction of the location. Hence, the place is as much a site of spiritual and religious importance as it is of natural and pristine beauty. 

Tattapani : A popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh, Tattapani is a quaint area nothing short of a wonderland, is a hot water spring. Almost 60 kms away from Shimla, it treasures several attractions lying amid nature in its best form.