District
Mandi
| Headquarters | Mandi |
|---|---|
| Division | Mandi |
| Formed | 15 April 1948 |
| Area | 3,950 km² |
| Population (2011) | 9,99,777 |
| Density (2011) | 253 per km² |
| Literacy (2011) | 81.53 % |
| Sex ratio (2011) | 1,007 |
One of the four original districts of 15 April 1948, formed by joining the two Sena states of Mandi and Suket. Second most populous district and the geographical hinge of the state — the point where the Kangra, Kullu and Shimla road systems meet.
Mandi town was founded in 1526 by Raja Ajbar Sen, who moved his seat from Bhiuli and built the Bhootnath temple. The town's density of stone shikhara temples earns it the name 'Varanasi of the hills' (Choti Kashi).
- Mandi Shivratri — the international fair where the deities of the district assemble before Madho Rai.
- Rewalsar (Tso Pema) — sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs; associated with Padmasambhava.
- Prashar lake with its three-tiered pagoda temple, and Kamrunag.
- Mandi Conspiracy (1914–15) — the Ghadar party's plan involving Mandi and Suket.
- Pandoh dam, the Beas–Sutlej Link, and Barot (Shanan project, 1932).