Rewalsar Lake, Mandi: Padmasambhava Statue, Gurudwara, Temples and How to Reach (2026)

Updated: November 2026

Short answer: Rewalsar Lake (Tso Pema in Tibetan) is a small sacred lake at about 1,360 m in Mandi district, about 22–25 km south-west of Mandi town. It is holy to three faiths: Tibetan Buddhists link it to Guru Padmasambhava, and a 123-ft (37.5 m) statue of him, consecrated by the Dalai Lama on 1 April 2012, overlooks the town; Hindus revere the sage Lomas Rishi and have temples to Krishna and Shiva by the lake; and Sikhs visit the gurdwara built in 1930 to mark Guru Gobind Singh’s stay. Give it half a day from Mandi, and add Mandi’s temples or Prashar Lake for a full day.

Why is Rewalsar Lake sacred?

Few places in India are holy to three religions at once, and Rewalsar is one of them. The lake sits in a bowl of hills with a small town around it, and each faith has its own story and its own shrines on the shore.

What can you see at Rewalsar?

• Padmasambhava statue: a 37.5 m (123 ft) statue of Guru Rinpoche on the hillside above the lake, consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 1 April 2012. It is visible from across the town.
• Monasteries: three Tibetan monasteries around the lake, including the Drikung Kagyu monastery and the Tso-Pema Orgyen Heru-kai Nyingma monastery. Walk clockwise around the lake as pilgrims do.
• The lake and floating islands: a small lake with reed islands; the lakeside walk takes under an hour.
• Hindu temples: Krishna, Shiva and Lomas Rishi temples by the water.
• Gurdwara: on the lakeside, built in 1930.
• Naina Devi temple: on the hilltop above, with views over the town; the road up passes several small lakes and Buddhist shrines.
• Kunt Bhyog lake: a holy lake at about 1,750 m above Rewalsar village, linked in local tradition to the Pandavas’ escape from the house of lac in the Mahabharata.

How do you reach Rewalsar?

Because Mandi sits on the Chandigarh–Manali highway, the easiest way to see Rewalsar is as a half-day stop on the drive up to Manali or back. Our Chandigarh to Manali taxi and Shimla to Manali taxi run through Mandi; tell us when you book and we’ll quote the detour.

What else is there to see in Mandi?

Mandi town, on the Beas at its meeting with the Suketi Khad, is called “Chhoti Kashi” for its many temples, more than 300 old and new by one count.

• Bhootnath temple: the temple around which Raja Ajber Sen founded the present town in the early 16th century.
• Panchvaktra temple: an ASI-protected Shiva temple at the confluence of the Beas and Suketi Khad.
• International Shivratri Fair: a seven-day fair held every year in February or March, when village deities are carried into town.
• Prashar Lake: about 49 km from Mandi at 2,730 m, with a floating island and a three-tier pagoda temple; see our Prashar Lake trek page.
• Barot valley: about 65 km from Mandi, a quiet river valley with trout; see our Barot valley guide.

How do you plan a half day at Rewalsar?

On a Chandigarh–Manali drive, a Rewalsar stop adds roughly half a day. If you are travelling with older parents, keep it to the lakeside and the gurdwara, which are on level ground, and view the statue from the lake.

When is the best time to visit Rewalsar?

What should you know before visiting?

• Respect all three faiths: cover your head in the gurdwara, remove shoes at temples and monasteries, and walk clockwise around Buddhist shrines and the lake.
• Retreat caves: nuns practise in retreat in the caves; keep noise down and do not enter without permission.
• Photography: ask before photographing inside shrine rooms.
• Stay: Rewalsar has guest houses and monastery guest rooms; Mandi has more hotels.

What this means for your trip

Treat Rewalsar as a half-day stop on the Chandigarh–Manali or Shimla–Manali road, with an hour by the lake, the statue and monasteries, and the gurdwara. If you have a full day, add Mandi’s temples or the drive up to Prashar Lake. Our Shimla Manali itinerary and Manali itinerary show where a Mandi stop fits, and the Shimla Manali 5N/6D from Chandigarh starts from ₹12,499 per person (Deluxe, off-season, twin share) on its live page; we can add a Rewalsar stop to it.

Rewalsar Lake: frequently asked questions

Where is Rewalsar Lake?

Rewalsar Lake is in Rewalsar town, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, at about 1,360 m. It is about 22–25 km south-west of Mandi town by road.

Why is Rewalsar Lake famous?

It is sacred to three faiths: Tibetan Buddhists link it to Guru Padmasambhava, Hindus to the sage Lomas Rishi, and Sikhs to Guru Gobind Singh, who stayed here for a month. Its Tibetan name is Tso Pema, the lotus lake.

How tall is the Padmasambhava statue at Rewalsar?

The statue of Guru Padmasambhava is 37.5 m, about 123 ft, tall. It was consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 1 April 2012 and stands on the hillside above the lake.

How far is Rewalsar from Mandi?

About 22–25 km by road, roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Mandi is on the Chandigarh–Manali highway, so Rewalsar is an easy detour on the way to Manali.

Is there a gurdwara at Rewalsar?

Yes. The gurdwara at Rewalsar was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi to commemorate Guru Gobind Singh’s month-long stay at the lake.

What is Kunt Bhyog lake?

A holy lake at about 1,750 m above Rewalsar village, linked in local tradition to the Pandavas’ escape from the house of lac in the Mahabharata. It can be combined with the Naina Devi temple above Rewalsar.

What is the best time to visit Rewalsar?

October to June, avoiding the July–September monsoon. The Sisu fair in late February or early March, Baisakhi in April and Mandi’s Shivratri fair in February or March are busy times with festivals.