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Flower-decked, quiet
little Sarahan is an unpretentious Himachal hamlet. Sarahan’s stunning beauty offsets
an extravagant backdrop of snowy peaks and undulating valleys. |
The village is famous for its
ancient Bhimakali Temple and as a starting-point for treks to the mountain of
Shrikhand Mahadev. This memorable village is often overlooked
in the rush to more recent discoveries in the Kinnaur area, but it’s a delightful
place to unwind and drink in the unadulterated mountain scenery. Sarahan is on the Shimla-Kinnaur border in the Sutlej
valley. Rampur Bushahr, Brow and Sarahan together form an interesting circuit in the Inner
Himalayas. This is apple-country at its prettiest, with miles of lush apple and peach
orchards and terraced fields that intersperse slate roofed houses. Beautiful flowers and
trees grow wild in the valley, flanked by forests of tall deodars and medicinal herbs.
The Rampur rajas of Bushahr, who once ruled
Kinnaur, made Sarahan their intermediary summer capital, when they left Kamru in the
Sangla Valley, and before Rampur Bushahr became the new capital. The 200-year-old Raja
Bushahr Palace cum Temple complex is a splendid multi-layered edifice in timber with
beams of cedar.
The Bhimakali Temple, reputed to be at least 800
years old, is dedicated to Goddess Durga or Bhimakali and is considered one of the
significant Shakti Peeths of Shaivite Hindus. The temple is Tibetan in its architectural
style, with Buddhist and Hindu influences and bronze statues of both religions in the
shrines. It has slanted slate roofs, golden towers, pagodas and a carved silver door.
Dussehra is celebrated in a grand way at both the Bhimakali Temple and in the village of
Sarahan, with animal sacrifice playing a big role in the festivities.
While in Sarahan, make a trip to the Kamru fort,
Chitkul valley, Sangla valley; go angling in the Baspa river; or trek around Srikhand
Mahadev, Ranwin or Bashal. This is one holiday you are likely to remember for a long time.
Getting there: Sarahan is 564 km
from Delhi and 174 km from Shimla. The best way to get here is to first reach Shimla - by
road, or train (till Kalka), or air (Chandigarh is the closest airport) - and then travel
to Sarahan by road. From Shimla, taxis or jeeps can be hired and a bus service is
available for the 6-hour journey. If driving in from Delhi, it’s convenient to break
journey at Shimla.
Best time: The months of March to June and September to October are
delightful in Sarahan. Summer is cool, but daytime temperatures can go up to 32ºC, while
the winter is chilly with snow. Carry a combination of cotton clothes and light woollens
for summer, and heavy woollens for winter.
Accommodation: Sarahan has a luxurious Circuit House where you can stay
with permits. The HPTDC tourist guesthouse has a fabulous view of the Shrikhand Mountain;
it caters to middle and low budgets. Privately organized campsites, hotels and farmhouses
are also available. For further information contact Himachal Tourism at Chanderlok
Building, 36, Janpath, New Delhi. Tel 011-3324791, 3359012-3, Fax 3310918.
For more country information, see India.
For detailed state information, see Himachal Pradesh. |
