Sightseeing

The historic town of Mandi is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre and the sage Mandvya 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. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving and is often called the Varanasi of the hills. Formerly and important junction on the salt route to Tibet, Mandi is the gateway to the Kullu valley, and the junction of roads from Kullu, Kangra and Shimla. Mandi which means market, is quite a good place to break the journey between Shimla and the Kullu valley.

Rewalsar Lake is high up in the hills, 24 kms south-west of Mandi and set beside the village of Rewalsar. It is a lovely area, with some pretty scenery and is worth a day trip or an overnight stay. The small lake is revered by Buddhists because it is where Padmasambhava departed for Tibet. Hindus also revere the lake because it was where the sage Rishi Lomas did his panance as a dedication to Shiva, who in return gave Rishi the seven lakes in the vicinity, including Rewalsar. Around the lake, there are three Hindu temples dedicated to Rishi Lomas, Shiva and Krishna.

Naggar was capital of the Kullu valley for nearly 1500 years. The castle, built about 500 years ago as the raja's headquarters, was converted to a hotel in 1978. The castle is built around a courtyard and there are varandahs right around the castle's exterior, providing stupendous views over the valley. Inside the courtyard is the small Jagtipath temple containing a slab of stone said to have been carried there by wild bees, and a small museum.

1 km past the castle is the interesting Roerich gallery, a fine old house displaying the artwork of both the eccentric professor Nicholas Roerich and his son Svetoslav Roerich. Just uphill from the gallery is the Urusvati Himalayan Folk & Art Museum which houses a collection of embroidery and folk art.

Devi Jaganathi Temple is a beautiful picnic spot at an altitude of 5,000 ft and at a distance of about 4.8 kms from Kullu. It can be covered through a bridle path.

Kaisdhar is 15 kilometres from Kullu, over and across a steep mountain is a quiet secluded spot of a great beauty known for its magnificent scenery and innumerable walks. There is a Forest Rest House, where visitors can stay.

Situated on the banks of Parvati River, Kasol makes a good holiday destination. 42 kms away from Kullu charmingly located on an open space which slopes down to a broad expanse of clear white sand at the edge of the river. The place is also well known for trout fishing.