My 🏔️ Himachal Pradesh Diary – The Mystical Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan🛕
As our 🚗 Mahindra Thar climbed the ridge bordering the temple road, we briefly saw the Shrikhand Mahadev Peak of the Himalayan range in the distance. The lower slopes dived out of sight into the Satluj river.
We were to visit the Bhimakali or Bhimadevi temple, as the locals call it, the Kath-kuni style temple architecture of Himachal Pradesh glowed bright under the morning sun🕉️
Temple History📜
During the Daksha Yagna myth, Sati’s ear is said to have fallen here, thereby sanctifying the site. The region was once ruled by the demon-king Banasura (great‐grandson of Prahlad), and the epic battle involving Krishna took place here. The remains of the demon are said to lie buried near the temple entrance
Intricate Temple architecture🛕
The local devotees of Saharan town (the summer capital of the Bushahr kingdom), head covered with a scarf, made preparations to offer puja to the mother goddessOne of the shakti-peethas, the wood and stone carved temple built around the 13th century, has a shrine of goddess Durga in her Bhimakali form. The main temple door had a shield of silver that flashed white. The temple sits on a buffer zone and shows the combined Hindu culture of the plains and the Himalayan Buddhist culture of Kinnaur and SpitiWe came across a yagna or special puja of the fire god, a group of people, head covered with the typical headgear of Himachal, encircled the fire, and hymns and chanting filled the air around
Temple Courtyard🏡
Bhimadevi Temple, Sarahan – Where the Himalayas Met the Divine. Kath-kuni style temple architecture is unique to Himachal, where stone-laid slabs angled downwards and met the wooden temple supports. The slant helped the snow in the winter months to smooth down to the groundGateways and courtyards were present all around within the main temple complex. Religious flags fluttered on poles and looked striking against the blue sky. Bells tinked as the devotees brushed past the large wooden doors, where big to small brass bells hungThe main gateway through which we came into the temple. Intricate wooden and stone carvings ignited the spiritual feelings. The gate was opposite to the Garbagriha or the main sanctum of the temple, where the shrine was locatedLarge stone slabs formed the floor, uneven and cold, stretched from the border walls to the temples in the compound. There were separate structures for each deity. People flocked in large numbers for a visit
Goddess Palanquin 👑🚶♂️
An artistically decorated palanquin was present at a far corner of the courtyard. The goddess takes an annual ride around the temple, hauled by the bearers of persons of repute
Temple Roads🛣️
Narrow roads from the main street and the parking spanned out and met the temple entrance. Thousands of shops tried to attract the attention of the devotees who were selling flowers, water, and other religious items. A few shops also shouted to sell their loads of warm clothes to woo the people to buy for the harsh winter months aheadThe view from the parking area was very nice. Far away, fluffy white clouds covered the Kailash Kinnaur range of the Himalayas. Motels dotted the parking lot. It was time for us to jump into our cars for the next stop – Chitkul village, high in the mountains
We wrap up our Himalayan Pilgrimage adventure at Bhimadevi temple.
🧘♂️ Shrikhand is said to be where Shiva meditates, giving the temple below a hush of myth
🛍️ Diverse Handcrafted Treasures
Various distances to the temple
From Shimla to Sarahan: about 160-180 km, roughly 6-8 hours road drive depending on stops and road condition. From Manali to Sarahan: approx 230-231 km by road. Travel time will depend a lot on route, terrain and conditions.
Best time to visit
March end through early November, before the snow starts falling
When can you see it?
The temple opens about 4 am and stays open till 5 pm
Parking
Four-Wheelers parking is available; however, you may have to wait for a space to park your car
Nearby places to visit
Hawa Ghar, Bushahr Palace (King & Queen’s Palace), Daranghati Sanctuary, Bhabha Valley
Travel Tips
My 🏔️ Himachal Pradesh Diary 🌄 Road-trip Rally: Chandigarh → Rampur → Sarahan by Mahindra Thar 🚙
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 