|
Mandi Introduction
Mandi is almost
the centre of Himachal, lying along the left bank of the river Beas
in the foot hills of medium sized Shivalik ranges, Mandi at a height of
760 metres (2,495 ft) entails a rich heritage of culture, of both historical
and theoligical significance. Comprising of the two erstwhile states of
Mandi and suket, mandi derivesi name Mandi, or 'Market' from the Ladhakh
traders who passed through it, on their way to Hoshiarpur. Here, in the
days of yore, the pious rishi, 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. Both
stories indicate the age of the beautiful temple town, situated at the
bottom of the valley, and with a hot climate, Surrounded by hills, clad
in pines, there is a large plain which has grain fields and rochards, between
Mandi and Sundernagar. Known for its temples, Mandi is the home of a number
of beautiful carved stone edifices each with an elaborate shikhara, or spire, among them bhutnath, triloknath,
Panchvaktra and Shyamakoli at Tarna hill. Also on the hill is a new temple
dedicated to Tarna Devi, overlooking the valley and giving a panoramic
view of the whole area. Near Mandi the Beas Valley is broad, but there
are a number of strike vales such as those of uhl and Rana Khad. 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 lime-stone, possibilities are being invetigated for
the existence of magnasite coal and china-clay. A base for visitors to
Kullu, Manali, Lahaul and Spiti, Dharamsala, Kangra, etc., it is approachable
from Pathankot (215 Km or 132 mile), Chandigarh (202 or 125 miles) and
Shimla (158 or 98 miles). From Mandi, the road, proceeding through
the cool forests of aut, winds along the Beas, through the Mandi-Larji
gorge for a distance of 40 Km (25 mile). Widening and narrow, on either
side of the road are rock hill sides rising perpendicularly to more than
300 metres (1,000 ft). Emerging finally from the gorge "The Valley of Gods"
opens out and ever mile up the river reveals the changing beauty of the
region.
|
