Known to the locals by the name of ‘Choti Kashi’, Mandi is a small village in Himachal Pradesh that will enlighten your spirit. With several temples all around the region, this pristine village is a hub for devotees coming in from different parts of the country. The place is also visited by many during Mahashivratri, which is a huge celebration in the name of Lord Shiva. Though Mandi is small, it has several activities that one can indulge in. Some of the things to do in Mandi include activities like paragliding, river rafting, camping by beautiful lakes and many more. You can also learn about the history of the region by visiting the majestic temples that are established all over the town. Read our list of activities to indulge in and pick your favourites.

The Prashar Lake in Mandi is one of the popular sights visited by tourists. One can go trekking to the lake to see this beautiful sight. The trek is apt for beginners as well as experienced trekkers. The trek starts from Bagi, situated in the village of Mandi and finally leads to the Prashar Lake. The trails of the trek are absolutely charming and are surrounded by green forests, streams passing by and you can even notice beautiful flora and fauna on the way up. Once up there, immerse in the scenic beauty of the Prashar Lake, with sky high mountains looking down on you.

The quaint town of Mandi is known for its sparkling lakes and the beautiful temples that are etched by their banks. The Kamrunag Lake, Pandoh Lake, Prashar Lake and Rewalsar Lake are some of the famous lakes of the region. Every lake has a story to tell and the locals will tell you the same very proudly. The Pandoh Lake is a beautiful one with river rafting facilities for adventure lovers. You can trek to the Prashar Lake to fill your eyes with the serenity of the lake and the temple right beside it. The Rewalsar Lake is the most renowned one of them all with a statue of Padmasambhava established at the banks of the lake.

With Mandi being surrounded by several temples, it is locally known as the ‘Varanasi of the Hills’ and hence, people most often come here to visit the beautiful temples. This scenic village appeals to the devotee in you and is said to have utmost religious significance. Most of the temples like the Shikari Devi Temple, Bhootnaath Temple amongst many others, are dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwara is established for the devotees of Guru Gobind Singh. One of the best times to visit Mandi is during the Mahashivratri celebrations as the town is gleaming with people and lots of lights.

Mandi is a good place for adventure enthusiasts and pulls in a lot of crowd from different cities due to the availability of adventure sports facilities. Tourists can indulge in activities like mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, white water rafting, mountain biking and also paragliding in some places. Go trekking on the scenic trails that lead to the Prashar Lake or you can even go river rafting in the rough waters of the Pandoh Lake coming in from the Pandoh Dam. Either ways, Mandi has enough adventure sports to keep you entertained.

Immerse into the culture of Mandi by gaining knowledge about this beautiful ancient village. The lakes and villages of the region tell a tale of the place that instantly takes you back to that era. More so, the view of the serene temples and the traditions in small villages in and around Mandi tell a lot about its history. Visit the Rewalsar Lake, where a huge statue of the Buddhist monk Padmasambhava is established and learn about the message he had preached to spread the teachings of Buddhism; something a local will beautifully narrate to you.

The stunning villages in and around the town of Mandi are definitely worth visiting. The village of Barot being one of them; with beautiful and untouched landscapes, this village is perfect for anyone who wants to remain in the arms of nature. This village is now well known due to the Barot Dam constructed in its vicinity, but it still has some regions that are untouched. This absolutely gorgeous village will definitely make you want to immerse in its tranquility.

If you like to stargaze under the beautiful night sky, the Barot Valley serves as a good camping spot to indulge in this activity. Spend a night beside the tranquil valley, in the middle of lush greenery, right under the stars to take in the beauty of the place. The months of summer falling between April to June are some of the best to indulge in camping with your friends and family.