Rewalsar

Rewalsar, a small town located in the Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh, is an important pilgrim place for the Sikhs, Hindus and the Buddhists. Uncommon as it may sound but the place is scared to the people of three Dharmas simultaneously, with legendary stories of their Gods having spent time here.

The Hindu Temples, Sikh Gurudwara, and Monasteries; all co-exist along the Rewalsar Lake, at an elevation of 1,350 meters above the sea level.

According to scriptures in the Sakand Purana, a rishi names Lomus was once searching for a place of worship when he reached the summit of the Drona Mountain. He meditated there, and impressed by his gestures, Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati appeared to tell him that the many deities are resting around the lake in the body of flowers and trees.

For the Sikhs this place holds importance because it is believed that the 10^th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh had come to Rewalsar seeking the advice from the kings of the hills on how to battle against Aurangzeb. In order to commemorate the visit of the Guru, a Gurudwara was built here in 1930s.

According to Buddhist legends, the place has a strong connection with the second Buddha of that time, Padmasambhava. It is believed that when Padmasambhava tried to teach Buddhism to the daughter of the King of Mandi, he was burnt alive, only to return as a 16 year old boy from a lotus plant. In repentance, the king got his daughter married to Padmasambhava and so in celebration Monasteries were built around the lake in the memory of the God.

The place truly reflects the harmony in the co-existence of three dharmas in one place. And often pilgrims visit all the holy centers and not just the ones that belong to their own faith.