Revered by the Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist community, Mandi is an unusual destination in Himachal Pradesh. It is a pretty popular place due to it falling on the route towards Manali; other than that Mandi has a galore of places to visit that brings out the serenity of the hill station. From the sparkling lake of Rewalsar to the serene Kamakhya Devi Temple and the hot springs of Tattapani, there are a number of tourist places to visit in Mandi, that are simply breathtaking. Here’s our list of some of the best places to visit.

Situated amongst the Dhauladhar ranges of Kullu and at a distance of 49 km from Mandi, is the beautiful Prashar Lake. This lake is set at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level and is surrounded by thick and lush greenery. Right in the middle of the lake is a small land mass, which distinguishes the lake from any other in the region. Right by the banks of the lake is an old pagoda like temple that is dedicated to sage Parashara, who used to medidate at this lake centuries ago. The temple’s architecture blends in with the simplicity of the lake, giving the place a tranquil feel.

Located almost 50 km from Mandi, Tattapani is a hot water spring at a height of 655 m above sea level. ‘Tattapani’ meaning hot water is a spot that has a number of natural hot sulphur springs that visitors can take a dip in. The springs are located on the Sutlej River and said to cure ailments like joint pain, skin diseases etc. At a distance of 4 km are some Hindu Temples, located in Saraur, making Tattapani very holy. In the months of summer, you can enjoy the sport of river rafting at Tattapani.

The Pandon Dam is a famous attraction for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers in Mandi. The dam is administered by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and is used for diverting the river for power generation. The Pandon Lake that acts as a basin for the Pandon Dam is great for white water rafting or one can even go camping at the banks of the lake. The lake is surrounded by green meadows and is a popular spot amongst people visiting.

Sunder Nagar which was formerly known as Suket, is a fascinating small town with a number of artificial lakes made by the waters of Beas and Sutlej River. The lush green meadows around these lakes make for a perfect landscape and a great place to relax in any season. Several temples around the region are revered by the locals and visitors and represent the culture of the area.

The Rewalsar Lake, a rare beauty of sparkling blue waters is situated 23 km from Mandi. This lake is surrounded by tall mountains and a lot of greenery. The lake overlooks a statue of Padmasambhava that is 150 ft in height and is the popular attraction in this region. This lake has a lot of religious significance and you can find other attractions around like Naina Devi Temple, Jigar Monastery and Drikung Kagyu Gompa, a school for Buddhist studies, all on the banks of the Rewalsar Lake.

Located in the center of Mandi, the Bhootnath Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and thousands of Shiva devotees visit every year to offer their prayers at the temple. The temple was established by Raja Ajber Sen in 1527 and has a serene feel to it. At the entrance of the temple, you can see sculptures of Nandi with ornaments and decorations. In the month of March, Shivratri in the Bhootnath Temple is celebrated with a lot of divinity and people from all walks of life come together to rejoice and celebrate it in the name of the lord.

A beautiful little village called Barot, located at about 67 km from Mandi, is the perfect spot to witness scenic landscapes and lovely trekking trails. This village has been unexplored for quite a few years and is being noticed off late. For travelers who would want to travel to a destination which is not very crowded, Barot may be the one. The village is surrounded by a green expanse of Deodar and Oak Trees, making it even more picturesque. The Barot Dam was built for hydroelectricity and ever since, this village has come into the limelight, making it pretty popular amongst tourists as well.

One of the oldest shrines in Mandi is the Triloknath Temple that was built in 1520 AD by Sultan Devi. The temple is famous for the divine statues of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The inside of the temple has a stone sculpture of a three faced Lord Shiva and Parvati, sitting on the Nandi Bull. There are other sculptures of Gods and Goddesses like Goddess Narda and Sharda that make the place even more hily than it is.