Some 23 km from Baijnath is Joginder Nagar, which has a big hydroelectric project. Here a trolley takes you up a steep rocky face of a 2500 meters –high mountain and then drops sharply on other side to Barot, where the reservoir is located. There is a comfortable rest –house here belonging to the electricity department.
Mandi is about 55 km from here. This flourishing town lies almost in the center of Himachal Pradesh. Located on the left bank of the Beas, it is only 800 meters above sea- level and has a warm climate. There are many medieval temples at Mandi –quite a few of them in ruins. There is also a later –day temple dedicated to Tarana Devi which is located on a hilltop from which one can obtain a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Some 30 km south of Mandi there is a picturesque lake its floating Rewalsar and its beauty and grandeur are enhanced by its floating islets. Rewalsar is also a popular pilgrim spot where Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh devotees gather for worship. It is believed that Guru Padma Sambhava had lived on the shores of this holy lake for some time. In the gompa (monastery), elaborate rituals are performed by the Lamas. There is also a Sikh gurdwara and a Hind temple here.
Returning to Mandi, we now proceed eastwards to Aut. The road winds along the Beas and driving can be hazardous. The rocky hillsides rise steeply to about 300 meters on each side of the River.
Leave Your Comments