International Shivratri Fair in Mandi

Mandi Shivaratri Fair  is an international festival which held for 7 days starting with the Hindu festival of Shivaratri, in the Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Mandi Shivaratri fair is held as per Hindu calendar every year on the Krishna paksha 13th day/13th night in the month of Phalguna that corresponds to February/March. Mandi town has the title of 'Varanasi of the Hills'  due to the fact that he large number of gods and goddesses that are invited to the festival.

The Mandi festival or fair is particularly famous as the special fair transforms Mandi town into a venue of grand celebration when all gods and goddesses, said to be more than 200 deities of the Mandi district assemble here, starting with the day of Shivaratri. Mandi town located on the banks of the Beas River, popularly known as the "Choti Kashi" and "cathedral of temples", is one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh with about 81 temples of different gods(mainly of God Shiva) and goddesses in its periphery. There are several legends linked to the celebration of this event. The festival is centred around the protector deity of Mandi "Madho Rai" (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva of the Bhootnath temple in Mandi

Kailash Kher in Mandi Shivratri

       The fair happens in Paddal Ground , Mandi whereas cultural programs performed during night at Seri manch near Indira Market . The cultural program is very famous as many popular singers and performers from Himachal Pradesh  , bollywood , foreign countries and rest of India performs in it.
               




Mandi town is accessible by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. The nearest railway stations are Joginder Nagar and Shimla by narrow gauge train.






More information :  Wikipedia Link
                                 http://www.himachalpradeshtourism.org/
 
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Rohtang Pass : A visit to Himalya

Rohtang Pass(Himachal Pradesh, India), in Tibetan language which means pile of corpses (due to people dying in bad weather trying to cross the pass) is a high mountainous pass in the eastern Pir panjal range of the Himalayas..




It's altitude is 3,978 m or 13,051 ft and it is about 51 km (32 mi) from Manali, a very famous tourist place in Himachal pradesh. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh, India.The road goes through the Kullu Valley, past Manali and over the Rohtang Pass to Keylong, and Lahul and on to Ladakh.

Beas Kund :origin of river Beas

The pass lies on the watershed between the Chenab and Beas basins. On the southern side of this pass, the Beas River emerges from underground and flows southward and on its northern side, the Chandra River, a source stream of the river Chenab, flows westward.   


                  

                 

It is a busy militry and tourist road.Several episodes of the History Channel's Ice Road Truckers series spinoff IRT Deadliest Roads dealt with truckers crossing the Rohtang Pass to deliver supplies. 

Road to Himalya

 It is a very beautiful place and full of snow for about 6 months, due to which this pass is closed in winter times .The pass is open from May to November. It is not particularly high or difficult to cross on foot by Himalayan standards, but it has a well-deserved reputation for being dangerous because of unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards. So if you want to visit Rohtang pass be prepared with all your accessories.


More  info:
http://himachaltourism.gov.in/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtang_Pass


Photos : Visit to Rohtang Pass
 
Here are some photos of my visit to Rohtang Pass 


 

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Parashar Lake

Parashar Lake and Temple

Prashar Lake is located 49 km north of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India, dedicated to the sage Prashar. The lake is at a height of 2730 m above sea level .The lake can be approached via Drang,Mandi(H.P.) . This place is sacred because Sage Parashar had meditated here in old times

Temple of Sage Parashar

Here in Parashar lake , situated a three storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to sage Parashar.The place is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and thick jungle. You can looking down river Beas, flowing from here
                                   

Close photo of lake Parashar

There is a tiny island in the middle of lake which floats from one side to another ia a span of 6 months.




There is a government rest house here where you can stay at night. However it is a lonely place away from crowd and pollution.
You can reach the place by road , but the condition of road is not so good and is closed during rains and snow. Trekking is best way to reach here if you have enough time to do that.


More Info : Wikipedia
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Barot : The Paradise on Earth

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Barot, a very beautiful place in Mandi( Himachal Pradesh ) , India which lies in Chauhar Valley .

It is an emerging tourist place which offers many outdoor activities and fun like angling, tracking , picnic spot , camping etc.

                                                        Snowfall in Barot

It is blessed with thick deodar forest , two beautiful rivers and extreme natural beauty. Rivers are full of trout fishes . There is a government trout breeding center at Barot along with other private centers from where fish are released into the Uhl river and there is a 30 km section of the river which is excellent for angling. So grab your fishing rod and start angling .

                                                       Haulage Trolly Lines

A haulage trolley of the British times connects Barot to Jogindernagar. This trolley link was set up to facilitate transport of construction material to Barot for a reservoir on Uhl river for Shanan Power House. The trolley was also sparingly used as a means of transport since Barot was not linked to a road till 1975.However, once the road connection was established,the trolley fell into a state of disrepair. It is currently owned and maintained by the Punjab State Electricity Board.

You can grab Haulage trolly at Jogindernagar by making pass at P.S.E.B. office , Shanan(Jogindernagar). It is very thrill ride as it takes you from a height of 4150 feet to 8000 feet at winch camp. From where you can continue journey to Barot by descending down from thick deodar forest which is full of wildlife.

                                            The Great Reservior , Barot

There are two reservoirs at Barot under Shanan power project. This project is dated back to 1924 constructed by a British engineer Col. Betty. You can see old machinery used in project.

Barot also forms the gateway to the Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary which lies across the Uhl. river . The sanctuary is home to the Monal, black bear and Ghoral.

There is also a tracking pass to Kullu ( Manali ) from Barot.The road to Barot branches off at Jogindernagar - Mandi highways at Ghatasani.It is situated 40 km from Jogindernagar and 66 km from Mandi. The nearest railway-station is at Jogindernagar.

If someone wants to have vacation away from crowd, noise, pollution , daily tensions then this is the best place to visit ...

More Information : Wikipedia

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Sarahan Visit

Bhima Kali Temple, Sarahan

Sarahan is a small town in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Famous Bhimakali temple is situated here, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. It is one of 51 Shakti Peethas in India. River Satluj flows about 7 km below Sarahan. Sarahan is identified with the Sonitpur mentioned in Puranas. Sarahan is called as the gateway to the tribal region of Kinnaur.

 



Virbhadra Singh Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ,India and former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh is from this small town.

Shanti Kunj , Palace of Raja Virbhadra, Sarahan

 Near town Sarahan , there is a Bird park which is a pheasant breeding centre. It also houses the State bird Jujurana and former state bird Monal which is of a great attraction. 

                                     Jujurana                                                                                Monal




Sarahan is about 29 kms off from Jhakri the establishment of biggest hydel project under S.J.V.N., and from Jeori it is about 17 kms.Sarahan is 564 kilometers from New Delhi and 174 kilometers from Shimla.

Kinnar Kailash as seen from Sarahan

The best way to go to Sarahan is to travel by train to Kalka or by air to Chandigarh and then travel by road to Sarahan. Taxis and jeeps can be hired to reach to Sarahan. Bus services are also available from Shimla. It takes approximately 6 hours by road to reach Sarahan from Shimla.




More Info :            Wikipedia 
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Visit to Shikari Devi Temple

Shikari Devi(click to view full Album)

Shikari Devi temple is situated at the distance of 10 km from Janjehli , Mandi (H.P.) , India , Janjehli is 85 km.from Mandi (H.P.)the district.headquarter .The Shikari Devi temple is devoted to Shikari Devi , named so because hunters in the area once prayed to the goddess for success in their hunt and perhaps, lies the origin of the name "Shikari Devi"(not confirmed).

The temple is said to have been in existence since the time of the Dwapar yug , time of Lord Krishna and Pandvas,.The temple has no roof .Temple is situated at the top of the hill and surrounded by thick Oak and Coniferous forest.

The Shikari Devi Temple is positioned at a height of 2850 meters.  You can reach here by road but the condition of road is bad and it become inaccessible during rains and snowfall. However you can trek up to the Shikari Devi Temple from Janjheli and Karsog , trekking is enjoy-some and full of excitement.

     

                                           
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