One of the principal districts of Himachal Pradesh state of northern India is the district of Mandi. Mandavya Nagar is the former name of Mandi. The administrative headquarters of the mandi District is the town of Mandi. Some exceptional temple structural design can be seen in the town of Mandi. The town of Mandi is important in historical as well as mythological point of view. Resting on the banks of the Beas River and also inside the city, many archaic temples are located. This is the reason that the name of Chhota Kashi is given to it. The town is very picturesque and beautiful. Over the town and in between the hills, the Beas River flows. A serene peaceful and tranquil environment envelops the town. However in terms of growth of infrastructure, new age progress and improvement are coming and making its mark over the town.

 It is the states significant business center. From NH-21 Chandigarh-Manali highway and NH-20 Pathankot-Mandi highway, this is an important passage to Kullu-Manali and other neighboring places. One of the up-coming and budding towns of the district is the town of Sundarnagar. The population of Mandi consists of an educated layer of middle class people. Mandyali language, which is one of Himachal Pradeshs Pahari languages, is spoken by the people of Mandi. Mandi was declared to be the most inhabited district of Himachal Pradesh, after Kangra, in the year 2011.

The administrative headquarters of Mandi District is the town of Mandi. The town also operates as the central zones Zonal Headquaters. Districts such as Kullu, Bilaspur and Hamirpur are included in the Central Zone. Other names given to Mandi are "Varanasi of Hills" or "Choti Kashi" or "Kashi of Himachal". The people of Mandi take pride on the fact that 81 temples are situated in Mandi, where as in Benaras there are 80. The town contains one of the best institutes of the country, known as the Indian Institute of Technology. Even though the city of Mandi, a former capital of the princely state of Mandi, is rapidly progressing in terms of modern infrastructure, still it is able to preserve a great deal of its initial attraction and appeal. The state of Mandi was a princely state till 1948. As the base for this state of Mandi, Ajbar Sen in 1527 founded the city of Mandi. In the beginning of 1948, the state of Himachal Pradesh was provided with the foundation of the city. The International Mandi Shivaratri Fair is a well known and famous event held in this place. Relics of ancient palaces and remarkable illustrations of colonial structure are scattered over the city. One of the oldest buildings of Himachal Pradesh is located in the very same city of Mandi.

Mandi History

When the state of Himachal Pradesh came into existence on 15th April, 1948, the one-time princely states of Mandi and Suket were combined to create the district of Mandi. Since that time, Mandi is operating as the administrative headquarters of the Mandi District. Jogindernagar, Sarkaghat, Sundernagar, Sadar Mandi, Chachyot, Thunag, Karsog are the 7 different Tehsils of Mandi District. it also consists of 9 sub-Tehsils, namely Ladbharol,Padher, Sandhole, Dharmpur, Baldwara, Nihri, Kotti, Aut and Balichowki.

The district of Mandi was separated into ten distinct blocks in order to take actions regarding the improvement and progress of the entire region. According to Census of 2001, the districts population adds up to 9,00,987 people. A total area of 3,950 sq. kilometer is covered by the district and out of the total area of the state; Mandi occupies 7.10% of it. Mandi Sundernagar, Jogindernagar, Rewalsar, Sarkaghat and Pandoh are the six census city of the district. The Zonal Headquarter of the Central Zone turned out to be Mandi in recent times. The Districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu and Mandi itself comes under the Central Zone. From the governmental point of view, Mandi has become quite significant. In 1950, the Nagar Parishar Mandi, having 13 wards was composed. The Nagar Parishad Mandi is the largest Parishad in terms of population.

Mandi Climate

Under the Koppen climate categorization, the weather of Mandi represents the qualities of a subtropical highland climate. Hot summers and frosty winters constitute the weather of Mandi. During the closing stages of the summer season, rainfall usually occurs in Mandi. Located in the lower most climatic zone of the Himalayas, the area experiences a wet sub-temperate weather of the foot hills located at an elevation of 450-900 meters as opposed to the dry, chilly alpine climatic conditions along with snowfall of the places located at an altitude of 2400-4800 meters. Throughout the year the temperature stays within the range of 6.7 degree Celsius to 39.6 degree Celsius. 18.9 C and 39.6 C is the average range of temperature during the summer season, while in the winter months, the average temperature ranges between 6.7 C and 26.2 C.

In the month of November, the monthly rainfall is around 25.4 millimeters and whereas in August it is 228.6 millimeters. During the winter months and spring the monthly rainfall remain around 58.3 millimeters and in June, when the monsoon draws near, the monthly rainfall is around 101.6 millimeters. 1,092.2 millimeters is the average rainfall per year. The amount is less when compared to other hill station, but when compared to plains, the amount is greater. As a result of rise in temperature and global warming issues, snowfall is very uncommon in these few years in Mandi, however historical records show snowfall occurring in this area a few years back also.

Mandi Tourism

Some of the Tourist places in Mandi and some details are mentioned below:-

REWALSAR is located at a distance of 24 kilometers from Mandi.
JANJEHLI is set at a distance of 67 kilometers from Mandi. 
PRASHER LAKE is positioned 40 Kilometers north of Mandi
BAROT is just 40 kilometers by road and 12 kilometers by Haulage Trolley from Jogindernagar. 
SHIKARI DEVI: There are two ways to go here; one is through Janjehali and the other through Karsog.
JHATINGRI is situated on Ghogar Dhar. Its altitude is 6,600 feet. It is situated at a distance of 12 kilometers from Joginder Nagar. One can very easily go to Jhatingiri via Urla in Mandi Pathankot National Highway.
KARSOG: Karsog is Sub-Divisional head quarter of Mandi district. It is located at an elevation of 350 meters.
PANJAIN THACH: Situated 75 Kilometers from Mandi, one can reach the place via Bali Chowki.
GADDA GUSAINI
TATTA PANI is located at a distance of 155 kilometers from Mandi and 50 kilometers from Shimla. 
JOGINDERNAGAR is located at a distance of 56 kilometers from Mandi.
CHINDI RESORT: It is located at Chindi in Karsog Valley.
HIMACHAL DARSHAN PHOTO GALLERY is located at about 4 kilometers from Mandi towards Kullu on the Chandigarh-Manali National highway.