Sunder Nagar is located in Mandi District famous for its temples. Formerly it was a princely state, known as Suket.

ABOUT SUNDER NAGAR

It is also home to Asia’s biggest Hydel Project – the Beas-Sutlej hydro-electric project, irrigating nearly one-fourth of the northern plains of India, has brought unprecedented prosperity to Sudernagar. The waters of Beas-Sutlej Project have given it a man-made lake. This project diverts the water of river Beas at Pandoh and brings it through a canal to Sunder Nagar where it is stored in a man made lake before being used to generate power at Dehar Power House. The place as a whole is quite beautiful and serene.There are lot of scenic beauties to see like sunset across the lake with a panoramic view overlooking the mighty himalayas lies on the national highway 21 (Chandigarh – Manali).

Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar about 80-km from Sunder Nagar.

Rail: Nearest Broad Gauge Railway Station is Kiratpur Sahib which is about 105 km. Another broad gauge railhead is at Pathankot, a distance of 210 km. From Una and Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder Nagar which is 80-km from Sunder Nagar.

PRASHAR LAKE

Prashar Lake is located at a height of 2730 m in Mandi district, 60 kms from Sunder Nagar town. The sage Prashar is supposed to have meditated at the bank of this lake and the lake houses three-tiered Pagoda like temple dedicated to sage Prashar.The temple is built up of a single Deodar tree.The temple was built in the thirteenth century and legend has it was built by a baby. The lake has a floating island in it and it is said to be unclear how deep it is, with a diver not being able to determine its depth.With deep blue waters, of the lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks and looking down on the fast flowing river Beas, the lake can be approached via Drang.

There is a 7.5 km trekkable route with starting point at Bagi village (around 26 km from Mandi via Kataula). The trek is mostly uphill through the dense forest. During winters it is possible to trek to Prashar Lake along the closed Bagi-Prashar road. The trek is 16.5 kilometres from Suda village to Prashar Lake and it is moderately difficult.

MURARI DEVI

Murari Devi Temple is a beautiful place to visit in Sunder Nagar. This Temple is in the west of Sunder Nagar on the top of a sacred hill named Murari Dhar. This temple is situated at the height of 7000ft. It is believed that this temple was made by Pandvas during their “AGYATWAAS” this place often receive snowfall in the month of January.

MAHAMAYA TEMPLE

Located on top of a hill, offers a panoramic view of the city and is one of the most sacred places around. Mahamaya Temple is situated on top of a hill, is dedicated to the Mother Goddess. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees every year.

SHEETLA MATA TEMPLE

It is a beautiful temple devoted to Maa Sheetla. It is located about a mile away from bank of BSL lake. Sheetala Mata Temple is located at Bahun Katli Village which is about 1 mile away from Sunder Nagar Lake. This temple is devoted to Mata Sheetala. A broadcasting tower of Doordarshan is set up near the temple by Prasar Bharati.

REWALSAR

Rewalsar (Tibetan: Tso Pema) is a small town about 25 Km from Sunder Nagar. Rewalsar is sacred to adherents of three major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. At Rewalsar there are three Hindu temples. These are dedicated to the sage Lomas, to Lord Krishna and to Lord Shiva. Seven mythological lakes associated with the Pandavas of Mahabharata are located above Rewalsar.

There are two Tibetan monasteries located at opposite ends of the lake.The famous Rewalsar lake (‘Tso Pema’ to Tibetans) is associated with Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche), who is recognized as a second Buddha. It was from Tso Pema that Padmasambhava went to Tibet to spread Vajrayana Buddhism.

Also there is a gurudwara was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. It commemorates Guru Gobind Singh’s visit, when he sought to evolve a common strategy with the hill rulers against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

KAMRUNAG LAKE

Kamru Nag Lake is situated at a height of 3,334 meters above sea level on the Mandi – Karsog road. The lake has enormous religious significance in the region as the temple of one of most revered deities in Mandi, known as Kamrunag Dev is situated on the banks of lake. Kamrunag is a famous weather-god of Seraj valley. People often pray to the weather God in the temple for favourable weather conditions. Pilgrims take holy bath during Kamrunag ‘jatar’ in the lake. A fair is held here on 14th of June every year.

People make various offerings especially of gold ornaments, coins etc. People have been making offerings of gold and other precious metals and stones since centuries. Thus gold and other ornaments much more than anyone’s imagination lies buried in the depths of the holy lake of Kamrunag. Thieves have attempted several times in the past but without any success. During winters the lake is completely frozen.

The lake is completely frozen in winters and only experienced trekkers should go there during this time of year. Reach at the top and see Mother Nature at its best! Walking on the frozen lake and a slide along the slanting snowy surfaces can be a pleasant experience to anyone. For new trekkers, it is advisable to visit Kamarunag during summers.

SHIKARI DEVI TEMPLE

The Shikari Devi Temple is positioned at a height of 3342 meters about 90 km from Sunder nagar. The temple is connected to Janjehli town with a 18 kilometre fair weather road. The woods going towards the temple has assorted trees and shrubs, which include various medicinal herbs. There are two separate trekking routes which take one up to the ancient shrine of the Shikari Devi Temple located at the peak of the hill.

According to the legends, it is believed that the hunters in the early years once worshipped the Goddess on the mountain asking for success in their hunt. Most probably, the name of the temple has originated from the name of the Goddess Shikari Devi.

The goddess is idolized in the form of a stone image. This temple is believed to be in existence from the time of the Pandavas and has no cover or roof on top. According to the stories, whenever anyone tried to build a roof on the Shikari Devi Temple, it had been a failure.