Sarahan and Bhimakali ~ P.C. Pranati Kamani

Secluded Sarahan, erst while capital of the Bushahr Rajas, sits astride a 2000 metre ledge above the river Sutlej, near the Shimla - Kinnaur border.
Set against a spectacular backdrop the village harbours one of the northwestern Himalayas most exotic spectacle - the twin wooded pagodas of the gilt - pinnacled BHIMA KALI TEMPLE!

Famous for the never-ending apple orchards, dense emerald pine and deodar forests, gushing streams, wildflower fields, rustic settings, terraced farms and slate-roofed houses,  the village is a sight to behold. The unparalleled beauty of the landscape, with mountains flanked by cliffs on one side and lush ravines on the other, not to forget the Srikhand Mahadev Peak at an elevation of 17,000ft,  make Sarahan a memorable place.
Shiva meditated on Shrikhand Mahadev and the Indian  epic Mahabharata says the Pandavas, also trekked this peak!!
The place indeed has soaked a lot of nature's blessing!

Nature reigns supreme in this valley of the Gods, and the realisation why the Gods chose to settle down here; and you accept that rarely have the paths of God and Man crossed each other as in these valleys of the Himalayas!

The Bhimakali Temple is an iconic structure housing the “Kuldevi” (The presiding deity of the dynasty) of Bushahr Kingdom. The Bhimakali Temple is noteworthy in that it contains both Hindu and Vajrayāna Buddhist statues and decorations which reflect the trade through here between India and Tibetan regions through ancient Indo-Tibetan Road. The traces of old Indo-Tibetan road still passes through Shalabag near Sarahan. It also shows Kushan influence in its architecture and possibly some of the images in it are Kushan (c. 1st to 3rd centuries CE).

With it's two multi tiered sanctuary towers, elegantly sloping slate - tiled roofs, and gleaming golden spires, BHIMA KALI is the most majestic of the few early timber temples left in the Sutlej Valley.

It shows the expertise of craftsmen in terms of building design, construction techniques, material handling, and aesthetics. This temple even today acts as an inspiration for architects. Built with locally available material like stone, deodar wood, and natural slate which has been quarried from nearby areas is used for the roof!
Bhimakali temple at Sarahan is a magnificent example of hill architecture in India.

An area renowned for its unusual tradition of housing holy shrines on raised wooden platforms.

Although most of the structure dates from early this century, parts are thought to be more than eight hundred years old. The Goddess Bhima Kali is enshrined on the top floor.
There was a practice of human sacrifice to the Goddess many years ago, now banned by the Government.

The Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. It's difficult to find an English word to describe "Shakti Peeth", they are divine feminine energy!
These Shakti Peeths are across the Indian sub continent.
The village, called the Gateway To Kinnaur, is known as Sonitpur in the Puranas. It was summer capital of the Bushahr Kingdom.

The Summer Palace ," Shanti Kunj", of the erst while Bushahr Rajas in Sarahan is made of walnut wood, is beautiful to say the least!!

Mr. Virbhadra Singh is the Raja of Bushahr and Ex Congress Party Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

Bhimakali Temple is their ancestral Temple and the Padam Palace in Rampur the winter palace.

Sarahan is 175 kms from Shimla, and can be reached from Shimla, by taking a train to Shimla. Then by bus run by Himachal Pradesh Roadways Corporation, or private taxi to Sarahan.
Nearest airport is Jubberhati 22 kms from Shimla.
By Road the route is on NH 22 upto Jeori, then the road bifurcates to Sarahan.

The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Corporation's Hotel Shrikhand is the best place to stay in Sarahan.