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Rewalsar is also known as Trisangam (Three Holy Communities) and it also serves as a fine example of religious tolerance and harmony that makes our India great. Rewalsar is such a beautiful spot in Himachal Pradesh covered with foggy hills. Pilgrims from all over India come to make prayers, meditate, and simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. At its heart there lies a holy lake which is home to three Hindu Temples, a Sikh Gurudwara, and three Buddhist Monasteries.
Pilgrims take the road above Rewalsar to the beautiful village of Sarkidhar which is situated in a valley with seven holy lakes and destined to the holy temple of Naina Dev-Ji temple of Hindus. In the hills below Naina Devi Temple, there lived Tibetan yogis and yoginis and practice in caves even today also. The villages that are surrounded by Rewalsar are the most beautiful landscapes ever seen in Himachal Pradesh.
Brief History
The Tibetan and Himachali Buddhists call Rewalsar Tso Pema i.e. Lotus Lake in honour of the Indian Yogi Padmasambhava who lived and meditated here. A statue of Padmasambhava which is 12m has been erected on the hillside above the lake that you see when you enter the town.
Naina Devi Ji Temple which is situated at a distance of 10 Km from Rewalsar district exists on a hilltop. It is believed that the eye of Sati fell on the place and a temple of Naina Devi was built there on this sacred place.
State/District/Capital
Rewalsar or Tso Pema in Tibetan is a nagar panchayat in Mandi district in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
How to Reach Rewalsar?
There are regular buses from the Mandi bus stand, or you can take a taxi to travel to Rewalsar from Mandi should take about 1-1.5 hours.
From Dharamsala, there is also a bus which takes 6 to 9 hours. It is also possible that you can hire a car from Dharamsala.
It is just an hour of distance away from Sundernagar. One can stay here for a night or more while going to Kullu Manali.
When to visit Rewalsar?
It offers an unbelievable background of Majestic Himalayas. The climate of Rewalsar stays cool in the midst of the year. It encounters lovely summers as temperature scales between 15-20 degrees. The winters can be freezing as the mercury dips. The best time to visit this place is from April to October.
Official Language
Hindi is the official language of Rewalsar along with few other local languages.
Weather
Rewalsar has a warm and temperate climate with rainy summers and cold, dry winters. The temperature on average is around 20 degrees Celsius. The winters can be pretty chilly while the summers are often quite pleasant. Winters: November to February are the coldest months of the year.
Fairs & Festivals in Rewalsar
Tshechu fair is organized every year in the memory of Guru Padmasambhava on his birthday in Rewalsar town. This is a big Buddhist festival in which thousands of followers from all over the country and abroad participate. The fair is being organized in Rewalsar from March 3 to 5.
Transportation/Stay to prefer
There are multiple options available in different budgets. Since it is a small area you can visit the whole Rewalsar from where ever you are staying.
Places to visit in Rewalsar
Spiritual Places
Nyingma Gompa
It is the first monastery established in Rewalsar is the Nyingma Gompa. Its position is right along the lakefront. It was created by Dudjom Rinpoche, who is a famous and accomplished master from the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. It hosts a Peace Bell, which is run between 6 am and 8.30 pm every day. This bell is one of 17 in various sacred Buddhist sites throughout Asia.
Drikung Kagyu Monastery
It is a resident of about 40-50 monks and nuns. It is the second monastery of Rewalsar. The head lama or Rinpoche is Ontul Rinpoche, who came to Rewalsar from Tibet in the 1970s and created the monastery. It has grown into a beautiful gompa. situated on the side of the hill with beautiful guest rooms facing the lake behind its café and store.
Zigar Drukpa Kagyud Monastery
It is situated on the West side of the lake and on the side road. The biggest statue of Padmasambhava can be seen mostly in Rewalsar. The statue was completed in 2011 and is 20 meters tall.
Zangdok Palri Palace Monastery
It is situated on the Northside of the lake. It is named for the Copper Colored Mountain Temple where Padmasambhava went to reside when he left Tibet in the 9th century. This is the newly formed monastery built in Rewalsar. They do regular pujas on ceremony days – on the lunar calendar, these are the 10th, 15th, 25th, and 30th.
Naina Mata Temple
The Hindu temple of Naina Devi sits upon the hilltop, which provides views of the town and the surrounding hills. The ‘seven lakes’, as well as various Buddhist temples, are on the way to the temple. A PWD guest house is located beside the temple.
Natural Places
- Rewalsar Lake
- Kunti Lake
Cuisines to taste in Rewalsar
The food in Rewalsar is decent with a modest selection of restaurants at a decent price. Many places serving both Indian and Tibetan food, and a smattering of Chinese dishes as well. Chicken tulpa is very famous there.
Things to do in Rewalsar
It offers an unbelievable background of Majestic Himalayas. The climate of Rewalsar stays cool in the midst of the year. It encounters lovely summers as temperature scales between 15-20 degrees. The winters can be freezing as the mercury dips. The best time to visit is from April to October.
Souvenirs to buy in Rewalsar
Since it is a major Buddhist pilgrim centre, the city has many shops selling Buddhist religious articles. You can definitely try and take back home some of them.
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