History
Mandi district was formed after the merger of Mandi State (Mandi) and Suket, two princely states on 15 April 1948. This coincided with the formation of the Union territory of Himachal Pradesh. It is to be mentioned that the state attained its full statehood later. Mandi town was named after its resident saint Mandavya Rishi. Mandi is situated almost at the geographical centre of Himachal, lying along the left bank of the river Beas in the foothills of Shivalik ranges. The town of Mandi has an altitude of 760 metres (2,495 ft) from the sea level. Comprising the two erstwhile states of Mandi and Suket, Mandi derives its name 'mandi' or 'market' as it was a major trade route from Ladhakh to various locations in Punjab such as Hoshiarpur and other places. Here, during the days of yore, the pious rishi, Mandavaya, performed long and severe penance and practised austerities on his body, on the bank of the river Beas, near the present Mandi town.The story indicates towards the antiquity of this beautiful temple town,surrounded by hills, clad in pines. There is a large plain which has grain fields and orchards, between Mandi and Sundernagar. Known for its temples, Mandi is the home to a number of beautiful carved stone edifices each with an elaborate shikhara, or spire, among them Bhutnath, Trilokinath, Panchvaktra and Shyamakoli at Tarna hill. Also on the hill, there is a new temple dedicated to Tarna Devi, overlooking the valley and giving a panoramic view of the whole area. The Beas valley is broad near Mandi, but there are a number of striking vales such as those of Uhl and Ran Khad. The area fruit tree cover in Mandi is about 15 per cent of the total area under fruit tree cover in Himachal Pradesh. Mandi raw-silk has acquired wide fame and the rock salt mines at Drang and Guma are also the special features of the district economy. With abundant deposit of rock salt and lime-stone, possibilities are being investigated for the existence of magnasite coal and china-clay. A transit for visitors to Kullu, Manali, Lahaul and Spiti, Dharamsala, Kangra, etc., it is approachable from Pathankot (215 km or 132 mile), Chandigarh (202 km or 125 miles) and Shimla (158 km or 98 miles). On either side of the road, there are rock hill sides rising perpendicularly to more than 300 metres (1,000 ft).
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