Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Trade center in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Mandi is a town in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, that spreads along the slopes of the Beas River at 756 meters (2,480 feet) elevation. Stone staircases connect the upper and lower neighborhoods, while temples stand scattered among homes and shops along narrow lanes.
The Katoch dynasty founded the settlement as a trading post that linked goods from the mountains with those from the plains. Merchants passed through the passes carrying spices, wool and handicrafts, turning the place into an economic crossroads.
During the week-long festival, deity statues from the countryside are carried through the streets in procession. The celebration combines religious rituals with market stalls where craftsmen offer their goods and mountain dwellers gather together.
Buses run regularly from larger cities such as Delhi and Chandigarh and stop at the central bus station near the market. Lodging can be found within walking distance of the center, and most temples are reachable on foot through the lanes.
More than 300 temples stand scattered across the town, each with its own building style and often known only to locals. This diversity gave the place the nickname Varanasi of the Hills, though many shrines remain hidden away from the main roads.
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