Mandi-what is in the name?
Research & Compilation: Dr. Pawan Vaidya, Mandipedia.com-10/2024
Photo:Ardhnarishwar temple Mandi
Mandi-what is in the name?
In Mandi-what is in the name? there are several names suggested for Mandi. All the names are based on folk oral commentary and the associated stories. It is but obvious that in antiquity travelers such as Rishi’s, Royalties and Traders had either visited or passed thru this Himalayan valley. The different names in history have appeared, as the travelers usually have a habit to describe a place as they perceive it. The valley people having no school education whatsoever, the visitors with command over language and wide exposure to royal courts must have been interacting with the local folks relating their experiences & observations. In this context the subconscious memory that stayed is the only hint to all the names. The present name may be a truncated version of several such names. Also, the ancient mythological or royalty history refers to the valley as a serene meditation/salvation area in Himalayas. The Sanskrit names could not have been in vogue but for the learned men who stayed or visited. This analogy may suggest the recorded names for the whole valley rather than the present town site which anyway was Mandi-a market in vernacular sense.
Some of the names are
Sadhiana, is the earliest known name of the territory that Raja Ajbar Sen annexed from Rana Gokul. The later name may be an evolved version of ‘Sal hiyana ’-Heart shaped forest area of Sal trees (Shorea robusta) or Sidhiyaan-a large, flat area of land with very few trees on it. ‘Yana’ means a place where from GOD always answers your call and is gracious. ‘Siddh Yana’-place where people come to attain Siddhi’s. ‘Sadhna sthal’ where people do Sadhna/meditation.
Mandav nagar, associated with Rishi Mandavya who meditated in this area. The exact rock called ‘Koltara’ was his meditation seat in river Beas below paddal Sikh gurudwara. Another related story about Mandavya Rishi, he indeed was Brahmin who meditated on this rock. The story goes that some thieves with their booty from king’s palace had hidden in the Brahmin’s hut when the king’s guards caught them and took all to the king’s court where they were awarded death sentence. Meanwhile the king came to know about the Brahmin (performing an indefinite penance), who anyway was meditating and had nothing to do with the theft. Realizing the mistake, the Brahmin was released from the death noose but he kept reciting the mantras and later became great sage as Rishi Mandavya.
‘Mandav’, meaning an open soccer type space/place named in Sanskrit by Mandav Rishi the holy man who used to do pilgrimage in Himalayas. Though the whole valley may have been called ‘Mandavya’ or ‘Mandav’ and not specific site of Mandi town.
Mandap, Rishi’s giving sermons to local folks in an arena called as ‘Mandap’, a Shruti practice followed all over the country. According to a folklore story, when lord Shiva & Parvati was going to Kailash, he left his consort and marriage procession at Mandi following urgent work and retired to Kailash. Eventually, a Rishi emanated from Shiva Mandapa and asked Shiva to accompany his consort. Shiva named the Rishi as Mandapa because of his surge from Mandapa. The term that stayed in memory is ‘Mandap’ or ‘Mandpam’.
Mandarva, The princess daughter of erstwhile ruler Arsh dhara, who was influenced by the teachings of Lomas Rishi Padmasambhava. Her name itself may be after the name of the Rishi Mandavya and the story finds credence in Rewalsar, the Khua Rani temple in town and in Tibetan historical records. The story goes that the king was not happy with the relationship of the Rishi with his daughter and ordered to set the two on fire at the site where Khua (deep well) Rani temple is located in the town.
Mandpika, meaning a pitcher like place in Sanskrit or basket like container-made of strips of wood woven together. Based on the physiographical features, traders may have coined the term to identify the place on the trade route. The site was probably used for exchange of goods coming in from Yarkand, Tibet, Ladakh and Punjab and the local ruler collected tax here.
Mandmati / Mandvati, The great scholar/writer, Panini referred to Mandi as Mandmati / Mandvati while describing the valley.
Chhoti Kashi, is defined in Purana as the place where two rivers meet and is considered to impart immense happiness. Also, locals call it Kashi because of number of temples here.
Mand, An area where everything is slow, peaceful and calm or a valley that appears to be like a natural tunnel.
Sahor’ by the migrants from western area of Sihor in Gujarat, later ruled and named his princess daughter as ‘Mandarva’ after the sage ‘Mandavya’ or ‘Mandapa’.
ZAHOR (Zahir means outer/external, etc.), border of a ruling territory of Ladakh/Tibet kingdom or Doab area formed by the banks of the two rivers or between the rivers is called “JOHIYA BAR” (JOHAR or ZOHAR). The headgear by Buddhists in Tibet is still known as Zohariya.
Mandi, Usually the site where large exchange and some retail sale of goods takes place. The name could have been ‘Mandav Mandi’, similar to such common names across the country but used as suffix only. However in case of Mandi town the Mandav prefix disappeared but suffix only stayed. Or this may be biggest goods exchange site on Himalayan trade route and the traders perpetuated the name ‘Mandi’ in their verbal/recorded transactions and the same stacked to history.
If ancient names can be adopted in the country, why Mandi can’t, deserves its heritage name.