Rewalsar Is Famous for housing the second largest statue in India, Rewalsar Lake is about 24 km from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
The lake is shaped like a square with a shoreline of 735 m. The lake lies on a mountain spur protected by a variety of dense vegetation and is known for its floating islands of reed. It is believed that all of them can be moved by prayer or breeze.
The place is held sacred by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. Legend has it that sage Padmasambhava used tantric powers to take flight from Rewalsar to Tibet to preach Buddhism. Also known as Guru Rimpoche, it was under his influence that Mahayana Buddhism took root at Rewalsar and his spirit is said to reside in the tiny islands of floating reed that drifts over the water.
It also has a gurudwara that was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi. Rewalsar has three Hindi temples which are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and to the sage Lomas. There are three Buddhist monasteries at Rewalsar.
It is in Rewalsar that the sage Lomas did penance in devotion to Lord Shiva.
The tenth Guru of Sikhism – Guru Gobind Singh is also known to have resided in Rewalsar for about a month and the gurudwara was constructed in his honour.
The major attraction of the Rewalsar Lake is the statue of Guru Rinpoche that overlooks the lake. Also known as the second Buddha, Guru Rinpoche helped preach and spread Buddhism in Tibet and Bhutan. At 123 ft, it is the second largest statue in Himachal Pradesh and is situated nearly 4000 ft above sea level.
Other lakes situated near Rewalsar are also worth a visit. Of the six lakes, Lake of Kunt Bhayo (1750 m above sea level) shouldn’t be missed. These ancient lakes are associated with Pandavas and are called SAR which means – meaning or moral. A large number of tourists come to visit this lake due to the legend associated with it.
The forest department of Rewalsar maintains a small zoo which is also worth visiting. The Sisu fair held in late February to March and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsar.
Rewalsar History in Hindi:
यह झील मंडी में पर्यटकों का मुख्य आकर्षण केंद्र है जो समुद्र स्तर से 1350 मीटर की ऊंचाई पर स्थित है। यहां पर भगवान बुद्ध के तीन मठ बने हुए है जो हिंदू मंदिर में स्थापित है। यह जगह सिख धर्म के लिए भी महत्वपूर्ण है क्योंकि यहां 10 वें सिखगुरू गोविंद सिंह एक महीने के लिए आएं थे।
यहां स्थित मठ सो पेमा के नाम से जाने जाते है। यहां के मंदिर भगवान कृष्ण और शिव को समर्पित है। कहा जाता है कि इस जगह को बुद्ध गुरू और तांत्रिक गुरू रिमपोचे के नाम से जानते है। यह मंडी से 25 किमी. की दूरी पर स्थित है जिसमें 735 मीटर की दीवार है। यहां हर साल फरवरी में सीसू मेला लगता है जो वैसाखी पर्व के लिए खास रूप से मनाया जाता है। हर साल लाखों पर्यटक यहां इस दौरान आते है।