For last few years, I have been debating in my head about importance of zoos in our ecosystem and what benefits our society gets at the cost of caging these beautiful animals? I haven't read enough on this topic and intend to do the same. But at the same time I would like to think more about what I feel and make my decision. For a long time, I also avoided going to zoos in recent past but when it comes to kids, it's hard to resist as get to learn a lot. This time, our niece was accompanying us and she also felt sad about animals in cages. Some of the animals had huge green area to walk, run and feed themselves but a few had very small space. Anyways, I will pick this topic again at the end of this blogpost and may write separately about it.
How to reach Rewalsar Zoo?
Rewalsar is a small lake town in Mandi region of Himachal Pradesh. As you reach Rewalsar, you can take your vehicle till the zoom through narrow road around the lake. This road goes through a busy market so if you chose to drive here, be ready for some patience test and taking the car back & forth, when any vehicle comes from the other side. It's pretty easy to reach Zoo in Rewalsar. Do check out the section below where we have shared in details about parking options as per your choice.
Parking around Rewalsar Zoo?
Rewalsar is small lake town and the internal roads around the lake are narrow. If you are not comfortable going inside the lake road then you can find parking close to the entry gate, close to the main road of Rewalsar. Park there are and walk inside the gate from where you can go to all interesting places like lake, gurudwara, zoom, temples, monasteries on foot.
If you want to save on some walk, you can take your vehicle inside and park in the huge ground which is in front of Rewalsar Zoo and the public washrooms.
Another place to park is Gurudwara campus.
When we visit, we park in the group close to the Zoo as most of the places are easily reachable from this place and since it's huge, you don't create inconvenience for others.
Entry ticket at Rewalsar zoo in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh?
Entry ticket fees for Rewalsar Zoo is 5 rs person and there is no extra ticket for cameras.
What to expect inside Rewalsar Zoo?
Deers, sambhars are in abundance at Rewalsar zoo and a good part is that they have huge area in the hills to walk/play around.
There are quite a few bears but it's sad to see them caged in small areas and we realised that many of them have become very lazy. May be because of the fact that they can't move much because of space constraints.
Do't and don't at the Zoo?
- Don't feed animals.
- Don't go too close to their enclosures.
- If clicking pictures make sure you click in their natural state and not try to disturb them for a pose. If you need a particular pose, rather have patience and wait for right moment t click photographs.
- Maintain peace inside the Zoo.
- Don't litter and respect the space.
Main things to do at Rewalsar, the lake town of Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh?
1. Take a walk round Rewalsar Lake. Earlier there were challenges in terms of cleanness of the lake, but now it's in much better shape and local authorities are paying attention to that.
2. Visit Monastery which is around the lake and the one with huge Padamsambhava statue on top of the hill.
3. Climb up to Gurudwara and have langar meal there.
4. Visit Hindu temples around the lake.
5. Check out green landscapes around the lake and don't miss ducks.
6. Don't miss to eat in one of the Tibetan cafes.
7. Buy some souvenirs for your family and friends.
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