[booobooo]

A former summer capital of the Bushahr empire, this wonderful little township is set above a high valley floor. This place gives spectacular views of the 17100 ft. Srikhand Mahadev peak, a hiking opportunity to the Bashal peak and trekking to the nearby rustic village of Ranwin. This little township is called Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh.

Known historically for its famous Bhimkali temple, Sarahan exemplifies the Himachal architecture. The temple has stunning silver doors with a blend of deities ranging from Bhimkali, Parvati, Buddha and Annapurna resting under a silver canopy. The temple complex also houses the Lankra Vir temple where up till the 19th century, human sacrifices were performed.



Sarahan is also an important market for traders of the region. An attractive place amidst apple orchids, it has a pheasant breeding farm too. The bazaar is interesting with friendly villagers greeting travelers, shops selling flowers, bright red and gold scarves, local costumes etc.

Situated at a height of 6300 ft. and surrounded by high peaks, Sarahan is 540 kms. away and a 18 hrs. journey from Delhi. We recommend an onward night halt at Narkanda and a return night halt at Shimla. This way you will be able to refresh and also see these two beautiful places.

Lodge youself at the Hotel Srikhand run by the trustworthy Himachal Tourism Development Corporation. The hotel has spacious comfortable rooms with hot water, restaurant, Cable television and parking facility.



The inherent elasticity of the interlocked wooden beams encasing Ashlars worked stone structure prevented major damage and a later earthquake straightened the plumb to an extent. The temple complex is almost an acre, includes buildings, courtyards and this is the royal palace.

In Hindu myths Sarahan is known as Shonitpur and there are beautiful legends about this little hamlet dating back from the vedic era, nestled in the foot of the Srikhand Peak (the peculiarity of this Himalayan peak is, it is the only one, whose tip remains uncovered with snow).

One tale is about a war between Lord Krishna and Banasura, one of Prahlad’s hundred sons, on account of Banasura’s daughter, Usha’s love for Krishna’s son Aniruddha. Krishna defeated him but later returned Bushair as dowry for Usha. Sarahan is in Bushahr of Rampur district of Himachal Pradesh.

Another tale is of how a bengali devotee called Bhimagiri, set out from Bengal with a staff, on pilgrimmage, at Sarahan his staff sank deep into the soil. When he looked he found buried there was Bhimakali’s image. She appeared to him in a dream and said this was her home and this is where she would live. So the temple came into being.



The places worth visiting in Sarahan includes the following:

Bhimakali Temple Complex: Bhimakali Temple Complex is a fusion of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. Bhimakali Temple Complex is a multi storied building. The tall tower like structure and a distinctive roof dominate the area Entry to the original temple is prohibited. A new Bhimakali Temple is now open for devotees to offer prayers. The goddess Bhimakali is portrayed as a maiden and a woman. The Bhimakali Temple Complex includes other temples like Narsingh Shrine of Bhairon and Lord Raghunath.

Bird Park: Bird Park is a pheasant breeding center. The principal attraction is Monal-the official state bird of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.



Sarahan is the base for some of Himachal’s finest treks to Badahal, Sangla and Shrikhand Peak. The treks are however open only between April and June and September-October.

The road leading up from the circuit house and lined with these straight tall beautiful himalayan junier leads to the Apiary housing the world’s most colourful bird - the western Tragopan, which seemed even more beautiful than a peacock to me.

Sarahan is 177 km and six hours drive from Shimla on the NH22 upto Jeori thereafter bifurcating to Sarahan with the other road leading to Rekong Peo. From infront of the HTDC office near Mandi House in New Delhi, a Volvo service leaves at 7 p.m. daily and reaches Shimla via Chandigarh at 4 a.m. The bus to Jeori starts at 5 a.m. reaches Sarahan at 11 a.m.



Start from Delhi NH1

Go to Ambala at 200 Km

Go to Zirakpur on (NH22) at 30 Km

Continue to Kalka for 5 Km

Go to Shimla at 96 Km

Go to Narkanda at 60Km

Continue to Rampur at 40 km on NH 22

Go to Jeroi via NH -22 for 17 Km

Continue to Sarahan at 17 Km

End at Sarahan

[anupmathur]

Hey, Booobooo, what's the connection between you and SAM's World?
Is that your site?

[hiambuj]

As mentioned by Viabhav on another thread, its a booboo storm...
Do not have so many words to comment on each informative post that you are putting up Sir... Will thanks once, when you are finish up with posting your past travel experiences & level up with the forum ready for posting only next ..

[booobooo]

Yes...Sir.

SAM Are The Initials Of The First Names Of My Wife, Me & Daughter.

And This Is Our World...Our Home...Our Lives...Our Small Being.

[anupmathur]

SAM Are The Initials Of The First Names Of My Wife, Me & Daughter.

And This Is Our World...Our Home...Our Lives...Our Small Being.

That's almost touching!
Which year was this trip?

I see that your photos of Hotel Srikhand are from more recent times, with the garden in front of the Cottage.

Here are some from an earlier era! We stayed in the cottage both times that we went to Sarahan. The photos are from the first time. (And yes, that Gypsy was my ride those days).

[KurtRules]

Ahhww...Another one of those informative lessons from booobooo!! This is getting better by the minute, gearing up for more!

[booobooo]

Anup Ji...Fantaaaaaaaaaaaastiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiic...Yea r Of 1997.

My Year Was 2003.

The Place You Parked That Beautiful Roadie is Now A Lush green garden Where you Can Chill Out With A Beer And A Game Of Scrabble. Also, See The Changing Hues Of the Sky Every half An Hour...Which The Place Is Famous For.

Down Their Mall Road (So To Speak) Are Two New Wonderful Small Hotels. Unfortunately Do Not Remember The Names.

Kurt...Look Out For The Duo Of Anup Ji & Booo Booo In The Future. I Think We All Rock.

This Is The Place I Had My Best Pahari Bhindi With Paratha. The Small Shack Should Still Be There...

[anupmathur]

The Place You Parked That Beautiful Roadie is Now A Lush green garden Where you Can Chill Out With A Beer And A Game Of Scrabble. Also, See The Changing Hues Of the Sky Every half An Hour...Which The Place Is Famous For.

Yes, indeed, Booobooo!
We re-visited in year 2000, and it was all changed, the way your photos show it!
Parking at the back, garden up front etc...

[booobooo]

We Also Went To The Orphanage There And Distributed Tiger Biscuits And Played With The Kids Too.

Sometimes I Feel Memories Are better than a revisit. memories never die and always remain untouched while a revisit may not evoke the old nostalgia always.

[abhi1975]

Booo Booo

I won't thank you. Because I believe that not all good deeds can be praised rightfully just by a mere use of "Thanx". Rather I will remain silent and acknowledge your deeds inside my heart. You don't know how useful these infos are gonna be on my HP ride. I've some previous info given by Anup-ji (Ofcourse I'm going to ask for more from him right on time) and with that I will club all these as given by you and I think I won't be needing any LP or N&W for my ride anymore.

Just one request, as earlier requested by Anup-ji as well, can you please resize your pics to 640X480 resolution so that they fit the screen perfectly and we don't need to scroll horizontally? IMHO, this horizontal scrolling is diminishing the charm of your posts to great extent. If you don't know how to resize the pics and if you don't mind then I can guide you to do it.