The Indira Market — known locally as just Chowk — is the sloping square at the heart of Mandi's old town, ringed by traditional Pahari-style wooden buildings with deep overhanging balconies. It is the natural starting point for a walk through the old town: every alley off the square leads to one or more small temples, and the square itself fills daily with vendors of dried fruit, woollen shawls, brass utensils and the small Himachali silver jewellery that the town has long made.
The covered passage at the southern end of the square leads down to the Bhootnath Temple in a couple of minutes. Mornings are the busiest time; the square thins out by mid-afternoon, but a couple of small dhabas around the edge serve hot Himachali sidu (steamed wheat bread with ghee and dal) and chai well into the evening.