Travel

 Mandi formerly known as Mandav Nagar is a major city and a municipal corporation in Mandi District in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated 145 kilometres 90 mi north of state capital, Shimla in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 880 m 2,890 ft Mandi is connected to the Pathankot through National Highway 154 and to Manali and Chandigarh through National Highway 5. Mandi is approximately 163 km 101 mi from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 395 km 245 mi from New Delhi, the national capital. In the 2011 Indian census, Mandi had a population of 26,422. Mandi district is currently the 4th largest economy in the state. Mandi has the second highest sex ratio of 1013 females per thousand males, in the state.

It serves as the headquarters of Mandi District and Zonal Headquarters of central zone including districts namely Kullu, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur. As a tourist place, Mandi is often referred to as Varanasi of Hills or Choti Kashi or Kashi of Himachal. Also, Mandi is the starting point for a trek of the region, Prashar lake trek. From Mandi, trekkers go to Bagi village, which serves as the base village for Prashar lake. Indian Institute of Technology IIT Mandi is a premier institute located 15 kilometres 9.3 mi from Mandi town.

This one-time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast-developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Mandi was established in 1527 by Ajbar Sen, as the seat of the Mandi State, a princely state till 1948. Foundation of the town was laid on the establishment of Himachal Pradesh in early 1948. Today, it is widely known for the International Mandi Shivaratri Fair. Mandi is also the first heritage city of Himachal Pradesh. It also has the remains of old palaces and notable examples of 'colonial' architecture. Mandi had one of the oldest buildings of Himachal Pradesh.

Origin of name

See also: Renaming of cities in India

The name Mandi and the former name Mandav Nagar has its roots from Great Sage Rishi Mandav who did Spiritual Sadhana in this area, and the rocks turned black due to the severity of his penance. Alternatively, the name may have been derived from the common word mandi which means market in Hindi. It may possibly be connected with the Sanskrit root mandaptika, meaning an open hall or shed,.

While the town's name has always been pronounced mŋɖɪ in the local language, the anglicised version Mandav Nagar was the official name until it was changed to "Mandi". This change is now the most widely used name for the town. Mandi is renowned for its 81 ancient old stone Shaivite temples and their enormous range of fine carving. Because of this, it is also often called the Varanasi of the Hills.