Description of District Mandi
Mandi is central district of Himachal Pradesh. It is encircled by Shiwalik and Dhauladhar from all around. Total area of District is Mandi 3,950 km². It touch the total 6 districts. District Kangra lies on North and North West, Hamirpur and Bilaspur bordered on West and South West, respectively Shimla on South and Kullu on East. Culturally it lies between Culture of Shivalik hills and Lesser Himalaya. River Beas and Satluj both drained the district Mandi. Climatically it lies in Humid Sub Tropical Warm Summer, Temperate Monsoonal and Cool Temperate region.(see here https://hpmandi.nic.in/)
Physiographically Division of District Mandi
Physiographically district can be divided into Shiwalik, Intermontane valleys and Dhauladhar.
Dhauladhar Mountain Range
Dhauladhar is the principal mountain range of the district. It enter the district from North and transverse toward south east in Jogindernagar, Aut, Balichowki, Thunag, Karsog and Chachyot. It formed the natural boundary with district Kullu. Famous Nagru Peak is located on this region. Barot valley which is famous for its scenic beauty is also located in inner ridges of Dhauladhar.
Shivalik hills
Western region of district is encompassed by Shivalik hills. Paprola Baijnath range continue into district from Baijnath and passes from western edge.Where it is known as Sikandar Dhar. In northern part of district it is called as Kamlah Dhar and whereas in southern part it is called as Lindi Dhar.
Intermontane Valley
Between Shiwalik and Dhauladhar, there are number of important valleys known for their fertile plains. These plains receive sediments from all around. Most famous of these plains/Valleys are Chauntra valley and Balh valleys, both known for good agriculture produce. Chauntra Valley is result of Glacio/Fluvio activities and Balh valley is result of Fluvial activities. It is believed that in the past river Beas used to flow through this valley. Beas was once tributary of Satluj river.
Drainage System of Himachal Pradesh
Beas is the main river of district it drained the northern part of district. Beas enter the district after forming famous Larji Gorges.A Number of tributaries join the Beas. Beas drain around 69 % area of Mandi .
River Satluj enter the district near firnu ,it formed the natural boundary with Shimla. Southern part of the district is drained by Satluj. Satluj drained roughly 24% of district area. It is believed that once river Beas used to flow into Sutlej through Balh valley.
Lakes of Himachal Pradesh
District also has many important natural and manmade lakes such Rewalsar, Prashar, Suksar, Kunt Bhyog and Pandoh etc. Rewalsar, Kuntbhyog, Sukasar etc are result of regional tectonic activities. These lakes are located on Shivalik hills.Similarly Prashar and Kamrunag lake are product of local erosional Process. Prashar lakes and Kamrunag are located on Dhauladhar mountain range. ( see more details Map of Important Lakes of Himachal Pradesh.)
Geology of District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
Geologically district has rocks ranging from Quaternary deposit of Balh Valley,Eocene-Miocene Shiwalik to Precambrian Dhauladhar. Oldest rock of district is of “Jutogh Group” found in eastern part of district. Darang salt mines on Gogardhar are only rock salt mines of India.Similarly , Balh valley has its own unique Geological history, where Beas river used to flow in deep past.( see here Basic Geology of Himachal Pradesh .)
Demographic Profile of District Mandi
As per Census 2011, Total Population of Mandi is 981412. Majority of Population is Hindu. 98.16% people are Hindu, second highest in Himachal Pradesh. 0.41 % District Population follow the Sikhism, 0.95% Mandi and 0.26% are Buddisht. In term of Population is Second most populated District of Himachal Pradesh , with 253 Density, which is 6th highest in Himachal Pradesh.( see more Details here Demography of Himachal Pradesh, Census 2011 with Maps.). District has notices minor Population Growth rate of 10.92% in Population since census of 2001.District Mandi has favorable Sex ratio of 1007, 3rd highest in Himachal Pradesh.
Schedule Caste and Tribes
Around 29.38 % of District Population is Schedule Caste. Which second highest after Sirmaur. Around 1.28% people are Schedule Tribe, mainly Gujjar tribe
Forest and Protected Area
45.32% area of District is forest Area. Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary, Shikari Devi Wildlife sanctuary and Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary are important Protected are.( see here Latest Forest Survey/Report, 2023 of Himachal Pradesh ,with Advance Maps analysis.)
Culture of Mandi
Since majority of People are Hindu,the culture is strongly influenced by Hindu Tradition. Mandi Shivratri is renowned worldwide for its cultural history. Thoda, Choohara, Mala and Bara are importance Dances of Mandi. (see herefair and festivals of himachal Pradesh)
