rewalsar
Location: Near Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
Places of Interest: Rewalsar Lake, Mini Zoo
Main Attractions: Sisu fair, Baisakhi
Best Time To Visit: Mid-May to mid-October
Located on a mountain spur, an hour's drive from Mandi brings one to this dark jewel- like lakeplace called Rewalsar. With water, woodland and high hills, it presents a variety of natural beauties and the spot is sacred for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It was from here that the great Indian teacher and 'Tartaric' Padmasabhava left for Tibet. The Tibetans knew him as 'Guru Rimpoche', the Precious Master.
It was under Padmasambahava's influence that Mahayana Buddhism spread over Tibet. There are islands of floating reed on Rewalsar Lake and the spirit of Padmasabhava is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lomas did penance in development to Lord Shiva, and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh also resided here for one month.
There are islands of floating reed on Rewalsar Lake and the sprit of Padmasabhava is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lomas did penance in devotion of Lord Shiva, and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh also resided here for one month. The Sisu fair held in late February/early March and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsa
PRIME ATTRACTION
Monasteries: At opposite ends if the lake there are two Tibetan monasteries. The Bhutanese also have one.
Gurudwara: Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi built this Gurudwara in 1930. It commemorates Guru Gobind Singh's visit, when he sought to evolve a common strategy with the hill rulers against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Temples: At Rewalsar there is three Hindu temples. These are dedicated to the sage Lomas, to Lord Krishna and to Lord Shiva.
Mini Zoo: The forest department maintains a small zoo at Rewalsar. Above Rewalsar, the 'Seven Lakes' are also of great interest.
Rewalsar Lake: 24-km from Mandi is a famous lake, which is equally sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It was from this place that Padmasambhava, a zealous teacher and a missionary left for Tibet to preach the doctrine of "The Enlightened".
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The airport at Bhuntar is at a distance of 89-km. Taxis/buses are available from this place to Rewalsar.
Rail: The closest railhead is at Pathankot; 234-km away from Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder Nagar, which is 80-km from Rewalsar. Pathankot is linked with many big cities through broad gauge.
Road: Rewalsar is connected by road and is 24-km from Mandi
CLIMATE: In winter, the temperature can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the clime is mild and light woolens/cottons are recommended.
NEARBY CITIES
Mandi:24-km
Jogindar Nagar:80-km
Bhuntar:89-km
Manali:131-km
Dharamsala:171-km
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