Pandoh Dam In Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

How Pandoh Dam Works

Pandoh is the first diversion point of the Beas-Sutlej Link, one of the larger inter-river transfer schemes in north India. Rather than dropping water through turbines at the dam wall, it channels the Beas through a 38 km network of tunnels and open channel, starting with the 13 km Pandoh-Baggi tunnel, across to the Sutlej. There, the 990 MW Dehar Power House generates the electricity. The whole system is operated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). That is why you see a big reservoir and spillway here, but no power house at the waterline.

Pandoh Dam At A Glance

Best Time To Visit Pandoh Dam

The most comfortable months are April to July, when the valley is green and the days are warm without the fierce heat of the plains, and again September to December, when the air turns crisp and the reservoir sits mirror-still. Avoid the July to mid-September monsoon. This stretch of the Mandi to Kullu road is landslide-prone in heavy rain, and the Beas runs high and muddy. Winter mornings from December to February are cold and can be foggy, though the low light on the water is at its best then. Rafting operators work the Beas outside the monsoon, broadly October to June.

How To Reach Pandoh Dam

By road, Pandoh is right on NH-3, so you pass the dam on almost any Mandi to Kullu to Manali drive. It is about 20 km from Mandi (45 minutes), 50 km from Kullu, and 88 km from Manali, and regular HRTC and private buses on the Mandi to Manali route stop nearby. By rail, the nearest narrow-gauge railhead is Joginder Nagar, around 55 km away, while the closest broad-gauge station is at Chandigarh, roughly 175 km south. By air, Bhuntar (Kullu to Manali) airport is the nearest at about 43 km, with Chandigarh the nearest major airport. For a full station-by-station and bus breakdown, see our how to reach Pandoh Dam guide.

Things To Do At Pandoh Dam

Rafting is the headline draw. The Beas below Pandoh throws up Grade IV and V rapids, and this is one of the stretches that put Himachal on the white-water map. Go with a licensed operator and a guide, and plan for a season that runs outside the monsoon. Beyond the water, most people come to slow down: a riverside picnic, photographs of the green reservoir against the pines, and short walks along the banks. One caveat matters here. Swimming and boating on the reservoir itself are banned by the authorities, and photography of the dam structure is restricted for security. Enjoy the water from the bank, not in it.

Nearby Places In Mandi

Pandoh works best as one stop on a wider Mandi loop. About 20 km back toward town, Rewalsar Lake is a sacred lake ringed by Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist shrines. Higher up, Prashar Lake sits below a three-storey pagoda temple at around 2,730 m. To the south, Sunder Nagar has one of the region’s larger man-made lakes, and Barot Valley offers trout streams and quiet trekking. For a temple detour, Kamru Nag draws pilgrims to a high ridge lake. All of these sit within an easy drive of Pandoh. Plan the wider trip from our Mandi travel guide, and browse Himachal tour packages if you would rather have it arranged.

Pandoh Dam Specifications