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Located about 20-km southwest of
Mandi town, is the most sacred
site of Buddhism in Himachal Pradesh. The place
possesses a pristine beauty characterised by an emerald green lake, and
surrounded by thick woods on all sides.
According to a popular legend, the spirit of 'Guru Padmasambhava' dwells
on the islands floating in the lake. A majestic pagoda-type monastery
looms on the lakeshore, which enshrines a huge stucco image of
Padmasambhava. The interior is embellished with murals in mixed
Indo-Chinese style.
Legend has it that Rewalsar was the place from where Padmasambhava
proceeded to Tibet in the 8th century on the invitation of King 'Sron
Btsan Sgampo', to disseminate dharma on the very roof of the world. It was
this religion that came to be known as Lamaism. Rewalsar is, thus, for the
Buddhists what the Mecca is for Muslims.