Places of worship in Rewalsar
- 01
Drikung Kagyu Gompa, Rewalsar
A second Tibetan Buddhist monastery near the lake, belonging to the Drikung Kagyu school. It is a quieter stop than the Nyingma temple, and its hall is worth a short visit.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- No ticket was verified. Remove shoes, dress modestly and ask before taking photographs.
- 02
Gurdwara Guru Gobind Singh, Rewalsar
A Sikh gurdwara on the lake, built in 1930 to commemorate Guru Gobind Singh's stay at Rewalsar. It offers langar, the open community meal, to visitors.
- Time needed
- 30-60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or midday for langar
- Tickets
- Entry is free. Cover your head, remove shoes, wash feet at the entrance and do not bring tobacco or alcohol. Ask before photographing inside.
- 03
Lomas Rishi Temple, Rewalsar
A Hindu temple at the lake dedicated to the sage Lomas, who is said to have done penance here for Shiva. Pilgrims gather in numbers at Baisakhi.
- Time needed
- 20-30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; Baisakhi (mid-April) for the busiest observance
- Tickets
- No ticket was verified. Remove shoes, dress modestly, and ask before photographing inside.
- 04
Tso-Pema Ogyen Heru-kai Nyingma Gompa
The oldest Buddhist temple on the lake, belonging to the Nyingma school. It has prayer wheels, an Amitabha altar and a lamp-lighting ceremony visitors may join.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning, when lamps are lit and it is quieter
- Tickets
- No ticket was verified. Remove shoes, dress modestly and ask before photographing. Ceremonies are for worship, not display.
Landmarks in Rewalsar
- 05
Padmasambhava Statue and Zigar Drukpa Kagyud Monastery
A very large statue of Padmasambhava on the hillside above the lake, consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2012, with a temple at its base. It is visible from much of the town.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning for clear views and fewer groups; clear days in October to November and March to May
- Tickets
- No ticket was verified; check locally. The base temple is a place of worship, so dress modestly, remove shoes and ask before photographing inside.
Read the Padmasambhava Statue and Zigar Drukpa Kagyud Monastery guide →
- 06
Rewalsar Lake (Tso Pema)
A small, rectangular mountain lake at about 1,360 m, ringed by monasteries, a gurdwara and temples. Pilgrims of three faiths walk its shore, and reed islands drift on its surface.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours, longer if you sit and watch
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; October to November and March to May for weather
- Tickets
- No entry fee for the lake itself. Dress modestly, remove shoes at shrines, and follow local custom of walking clockwise around Buddhist sites.
Day trips in Rewalsar
- 07
Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary
A small Mandi-district sanctuary of steep pine, oak and grassland slopes above Sundernagar, set up in 1962 and still best known for the threatened cheer pheasant. A hard, quiet day trip for birders.
- Time needed
- A full day including the drive; more if you want to trek
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- March to May and October to November, in the first hours after sunrise; the monsoon makes slopes slippery and visibility poor
- Tickets
- No entry fee, permit rule or visitor facility is published in the sources consulted. Ask at the forest department office in Sundernagar or Mandi before you go, and hire a local guide who knows the trails.
Experiences in Rewalsar
- 08
Padmasambhava Caves and Naina Devi Temple
A hillside route above the town to meditation caves linked with Padmasambhava and a hilltop Naina Devi temple. It is the only demanding outing in Rewalsar.
- Time needed
- Half a day with the climb and return
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Clear mornings in October to November and March to May
- Tickets
- No ticket was verified. The caves are devotional sites: dress modestly, remove shoes where asked and ask before photographing.
Culture in Rewalsar
- 09
Sisu Fair, Rewalsar
A fair held at Rewalsar in late February or March, compared by one travel guide to the Kumbh Mela. The town is busy with pilgrims, and the lake takes centre stage.
- Time needed
- 1 day or more
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late February to March; confirm dates locally
- Tickets
- No ticket was verified. Dates vary each year, so ask at your lodging or the local administration. Expect crowds and limited rooms.
