Mandi, Poonch

Mandi is a village in Poonch district, set among snow-capped Himalayan hills along the Gagri and Pulsta streams. Its main landmark is the Baba Budha Amarnath temple, whose lingam is carved from a white stone called chakmak rather than formed of ice. Sculptures inside bear Sharda script, and the Gauri Kund near the gate is believed to hold water from the Amarnath cave.

Legends tie the temple to the Amarnath pilgrimage: Shiva is said to have begun telling the Amar Katha here, and devotees visit before or after the cave. Other stories credit a shepherd named Budha Malik with finding it, or the sage Pulastya with building it. Nearby, the Nandichool waterfall drops from the Pir Panjal, and trails suit hiking and camping.