Mandi Famous Places
Why Mandi is called Chhoti Kashi, the top 5 places, and the full list of famous temples, lakes and valleys.
Why is Mandi famous?
Mandi is called "Chhoti Kashi" because of its many old temples on the Beas river. Mandi famous places include holy lakes, hilltop temples, green valleys and a busy old market. Most of them are an easy detour on a Shimla Manali trip. Here is the full list, sorted so you can find what you need fast.
Top 5 Mandi famous places
If you have little time, see these first.
- 1
Prashar Lake
49 km · Lake · A blue lake at about 2,700 m with a pagoda temple.
★ Famous for its floating island. - 2
Rewalsar Lake
24 km · Holy lake · A lake ringed by monasteries, a Gurudwara and temples.
★ Famous as a holy place for three faiths. - 3
Bhootnath Temple
In town · Temple · The heart of old Mandi and its main Shiva temple.
★ Famous as the centre of the Shivratri Fair. - 4
Shikari Devi Temple
~90 km · Hill temple · A hilltop temple with views over many valleys.
★ Famous because it has no roof. - 5
Barot Valley
~65 km · Valley · A green river valley with pine forests.
★ Famous for trout fishing and camping.
Mandi famous places by type
🛕 Famous temples
- Bhootnath – Shivratri Fair starts here
- Panchvaktra – five-faced Shiva
- Triloknath – old stone temple in town
- Ardhnarishwar – half Shiva, half Parvati
- Tarna Devi – hilltop sunset point
- Shikari Devi – temple with no roof
- Mamleshwar Mahadev – old temple in Karsog
💧 Famous lakes
- Prashar Lake – floating island
- Rewalsar Lake – holy for three faiths
- Kamrunag Lake – gold offerings
- Sundernagar Lake – evening walks
- Pandoh Dam – big Beas reservoir
🌲 Famous valleys
- Barot – trout and camping
- Janjehli – base for Shikari Devi
- Karsog – apples and old temples
🏛️ Famous in town
- Indira Market – underground market
- Victoria Bridge – built in 1877
- Beas–Suketi meeting point
All Mandi famous places with distance
| Place | Type | From Mandi | Time needed | Famous for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhootnath Temple | Temple | In town | 30 min | Shivratri Fair |
| Panchvaktra Temple | Temple | In town | 30 min | Five-faced Shiva |
| Indira Market | Market | In town | 1–2 hrs | Underground market |
| Tarna Devi Temple | Temple | 2 km | 1 hr | Sunset view |
| Pandoh Dam | Dam | 18 km | 20 min | Beas river view |
| Rewalsar Lake | Holy lake | 24 km | 2–3 hrs | Padmasambhava statue |
| Sundernagar | Town, lake | 25 km | 1–2 hrs | Lake walk |
| Prashar Lake | Lake, trek | 49 km | Half day | Floating island |
| Kamrunag Lake | Lake, trek | ~50 km | Full day | Gold offerings |
| Barot Valley | Valley | ~65 km | 1–2 days | Trout fishing |
| Janjehli Valley | Valley | ~80 km | 1–2 days | Untouched nature |
| Shikari Devi | Temple, trek | ~90 km | Full day | Roofless temple |
| Karsog Valley | Valley | ~100 km | 1–2 days | Old temples |
Distances are by road from Mandi town and are approximate.
How to see Mandi famous places without long drives
These places lie in different directions, so plan them in groups like this to save time on your Himachal trip.
Town circuit
- Bhootnath and Panchvaktra
- Triloknath and Indira Market
- Tarna Devi at sunset
Lakes day
- Prashar Lake in the morning
- Back to Mandi for lunch
- Rewalsar Lake in the evening
Valley trip
- Barot Valley for a night, or
- Janjehli and Shikari Devi, or
- Karsog and its old temples
Mandi famous places: quick questions
What is Mandi famous for?
Mandi is famous for its 80+ old temples, the International Shivratri Fair, Prashar Lake and Rewalsar Lake.
Why is Mandi called Chhoti Kashi?
Like Kashi, Mandi has many old Shiva temples on the bank of a holy river, the Beas.
Which is the most famous place in Mandi?
Prashar Lake is the most famous place in Mandi district. Bhootnath Temple is the most famous place in the town.
Which famous temple in Mandi has no roof?
Shikari Devi Temple has no roof. Locals say snow never stays on the idol.
See Mandi's famous places in 2–3 days
We will plan a route that covers the top places without long back-and-forth drives. Add Mandi to our Shimla Manali tour, or see all our trips.