District: Mandi, H.P. [Click here for map]

Location : The Rewalsar (altitude 1350 M) a small village and a Buddhist pilgrimage center on the mountain slope amidst lush green woodland with a heart shaped sacred lake is at a distance of 25 KM south-south-west of Mandi town. It also accessible from Ner Chowk, a place on NH 21at 12 KM south of Mandi and 8 KM north of Sundernagar. The distance from Ner chowk to Rewalsar is about 12 KM. The tourists from Chandigarh may drive along the highway towards Mandi and turn left at Ner Chowk to go to Rewalsar on the mountain range. The same road goes to Hamirpur and also to Nainadevi temple (this is other than the Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur District) above Rewalsar.

General description : In ancient times, the place was the capital of Raja Arshadhar and now famous as a pilgrimage center. Rewalsar is regarded as sacred place for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It is believed that the great tantric and scholar, Padmasambhava left for Tibet from this place to spread Mahayana Buddhism at an invitation of the Tibetan King Sron Btsan Sgampo in the 8th century and laid the foundation of a new sect of religion, Lamaism. The monastery interior is decorated with bright colour paintings depicting the Guru and various Buddhists tantric deities. The Hindus believe that the Guru Padmasambhava is a manifestation of Rishi Lomas. The people pay homage at the monastery and take a holy dip in the Lake. Guru Rimpoche also lived here. Guru Govind Singhji stayed here for a month in 1738. In 1930 Raja Joginder Sen had built a Gurdwara by the side of the sacred lake. There are three temples dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna, Shiva and Rishi Lomas. A small island with reed floats in the lake and it is believed to be the spirit of Padmasambhava embodied in it. The Monasteries, Temples, Gurudwara, hotels and houses are around the sacred lake. The temperature remains cool due to existence of the lake and dense forest cover. The fish in the lake is worth seeing. These are not taken out of the lake on religious ground. There are some more natural lakes on the mountain above Rewalsar. Some of them have dried up recently. At the top of the mountain, the temple of Nainadevi is situated.

Safety: Safe. Roads : Motorable mountain road. Road traffic: Careful and slow driving in hill roads suggested. Medical support: At Mandi 25 KM; Fuel Pumps: No; Car repairing: No; Market & Shopping Center.: No; Tourist Information Center.: No; Railway & Air Ticket: No; Hotels & Restaurants: 1. HPTDC, 2. Lama's hotel; Sports & Game Centers: No. Cellular service: BSNL, Airtel; Car rental: No; only available at Mandi 25 KM.

Places of interest: (a) The Rewalsar Lake, (b) Buddhist Monasteries, (c) The Temples, (d) Gurdwara and (e) Nainadevi temple.

Transport : The public transport buses ply from Mandi to Rewalsar. The first bus starts from Rewalsar for Mandi at 6 AM. The hilly road is all weather motorable. The bus from Mandi to Hamirpur also passes through Rewalsar.

Accommodation facilities:

Special mention: A famous pilgrimage center.

The advance booking can be made directly or through www.arraytours.com. Please call +91 9433001192, (Phone) +91 33 24427635. The above data are indicative as provided by the respective hotel or collected from various sources. The author is not responsible for any difference with the actual.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 January 2011 23:45