Mandsaur is a District of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The town of Mandsaur is the administrative headquarters of the district. Mandsaur is rich in archaeological and historical heritage. But what makes it famous is the temple of Lord Pashupatinath located on the bank of shivna. Its idol has parallel only in Nepal . The most common language is Malwi ( Rajasthani and Hindi Mixed ). It is also famous for large production of Opium around the world. The slate pencil industry is the main industry of the district.
Mandsaur District forms the northern projection of Madhya Pradesh from its western Division, i.e.,Ujjain Commissioner's Division. It lies between the parallels of latitude 230 45' 50" North and 250 2' 55" North, and between the meridians of longitude 740 42' 30" East and 750 50' 20" East. The District is bounded by four Districts of Rajasthan, namely Chittorgarh in the west and north,Bhilwara in north, Kota in the north-east and Jhalawar in the east while Ratlam District of Madhya Pradesh bounds it in the South.
The District takes its name from the headquarters town, Mandsaur. It is considered to have been evolved from Marhsaur, originating from Marh and Saur (or Dasaur, two of the villages which merged in the town. The District is divided into four sub divisions and six tehsils. The sub divisional head quarters are at Mandsaur,Malhargarh,Sitamau and Garoth.Among the tehsils, Malhargarh and Mandsaur lie in the west,arranged from north to south.Similarly Suwasra Bhanpura, Garoth and Sitamau lie in the eastern part.
Places of Interest
Temple of Lord Pashupatinath: Mandsaur’s main attraction is lord Pashpupatinath temple. Pashpupatinath is synonymous name of lord shiva. This artistic effigy is built-up smooth, glowingly dark coppery fiery rock-block. The temple is situated at the bank of Shivana river.
Its weight is 4600 kg. Hight 7.25 ft.in curvature and 11.25 ft. in straight. It has 8 heads they are divided in two part. First part in 4 heads on the top and second part in 4 head bottom. Top 4 heads are clear, refined and coplete then 4 bottom heads are not refined.
This temple have four doors in the four directions but enterance door is situated in the west.This effigy’s heads which is situated in the west are presenting fearful image of lord shiva.This heads make-up indicate three ras (relish) which is in bun-shaped hair with poisonous snakes, emerging third eye and opened underlip.In the centre tangled hair are surrounding snakes that is acquainted annihilation omkar (veda mantras symbolising God almighty)
GANDHI SAGAR DAM: Gandhisagar Dam is situated at a distance of 168 Km. from the District headquarter. The Dam is constructed on the Chambal River. Foundation stone for the construction of Gandhi Sagar Dam / Power Station in the District was laid by the Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the 7th March, 1954. The work was started in 1957 in the power station, while power generation and its distribution commenced in November, 1960. The total expenditure on the construction of Gandhi Sagar Dam and Power Station was about Rs. 18 Crores 40 Lakhs. The expenditure on construction of Power Station was Rs. 4 Crores 80 Lakhs.
Gandhi Sagar Power Station is 65 meter long and 56 feet wide. The Power Station has five turbines of 23 M.W. capacity, thus having a total installed capacity of 115 M.W.
The Gandhi Sagar Power Station now supplies electricity throghout the District. Besides meeting the power requirements in the District, electricity from this power house is supplied to such far off places in the Madhya Pradesh and in Rajasthan state.
