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Sarahan
About Sarahan

Sarahan - Popularly known as the "Valley of Flowers", lies in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Sutlej Valley at an elevation of 2165 m amidst scenic beauty of breathtaking greenery, waving snow peaked mountains, apple orchards and decked with flowers. It is the site of well-known Bhimakali temple which is dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. Sarahan is located at 31.52°N 77.80°E. It has an average altitude of 2,313 metres (7,589 feet). The temple is situated about 180 kilometers from Shimla and is one of 51 Shakti Peethas. The town is known as the gateway of Kinnaur. River Satluj is about 7 kms below Sarahan. Sarahan is identified with the Sonitpur mentioned in Puranas.

Sarahan was the old capital of Rampur Bushair which is one of the biggest princely states in Shimla hills, located on the Kinnaur-Shimla border in Himachal Pradesh. Sarahan is filled with flowering Pine trees, deodar trees, stately oaks, and higher still, encircling the Bashal peak, are trees of smooth birch and variety of wild flowers and rare medicinal herbs. The best time to visit Sarahan is in summer from mid-April to July. Or post monsoons in September and October.

Saharan is a hill station that can be spotted in Himachal which becomes highly interesting due to the existence of a number of temples explaining distinct architecture. The place is sprinkled with mountains on the slopes of which there are vast forests. In Sarahan, there is an amazing temple which is associated with the Bushair rulers of Rampur whose architecture consists of both Hindu and Buddhist designs.

Sarahan tourism also boosts with the existence of the Srikhand Peak, which is related with Goddess Lakshmi. Sarahan is also famous for the legend of Bhimkali. It is believed that when demons attacked Himalayas and tortured the saints, Lord Vishnu with his magical powers lighted fire and accumulated the whole strength of the saints into the fire. And from this fire, emerged a young girl that is believed to be goddess Lakshmi or ‘Adishakti’.

Sarahan is a place of pilgrimage and there are many sacred stories related to this region.. Sarahan is a place where one can take numerous treks and experience nature at its best. The place is famous for its ancient Bhimakali temple and it also serves as a base for numerous treks. The best season for going on treks is April to June and September to November. The place is well-known for its apple and peach orchards that are spread over miles of area. The small huts with thatched roofs give this valley the look of an untouched heaven. In short, the place is picture perfect.

 
Location of Sarahan 

The beautiful Sarahan city is located on the Shimla - Kinnaur border. One of the most beautiful places to visit in India, Sarahan valley near Shimla is the work of a perfectionist. The right amount of beauty is mixed with calmness and tranquility, Sarahan looks like time spared this part of Shimla. The undulating valleys and snowy peaks that enclose Sarahan are exquisitely beautiful. Sarahan has something to offer to everyone.

The valley is filled with striking blooms of flowering plants and dense pine trees. The Himalayas provide the perfect background of snow clad lofty ranges surrounding the small beautiful valley in between. Tourists are recommended to carry light woolens though weather remains pleasant during summers. However, the evenings may get chilly at times and it is best to carry a light jacket with yourself.

 
Climate of Sarahan

Summer Season in Sarahan
The summer temperature can touch 32oC and light woolens/cottons are recommended.

Winter Season in Sarahan
In winter, the temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy woollens are required.

Trekking in Sarahan

Sarahan is the base for some of Himachal's finest treks and is also the entrance to Kinnaur's untrammeled beauty. The more popular ones are those going to Badahal, Sangla and Shrikhand Peak. The treks are however open only between April and June and September-October.

History of Sarahan

Ages back, another legend goes, the devotee, Bhimagiri, set out from Bengal to tour all the places which are sacred to Shiva and the Devi in the Himalayas. He carried just a staff and the image of the devi tucked in his matted locks. When he reached Sarahan, his staff sank deep in the ground and the image of Bhimakali is buried there. She appeared to him and said that this was her true home and here she would live. Bhimagiri lodged himself in a cave on the hillside and after his death; it was decided to build a temple.

A spot, some distance from the present complex, was chosen but every night the pile of construction material would shift strangely. The obvious message received was that the temple was then built on the present site. As time passed and the steams of myth gave way to verifiable history, the wonderful spot of Sarahan became the capital of the princely state of Bushair. The Raja (king) moved here from Karmu, their original seat in the Baspa Valley. In the 18th century, he moved to the banks of the Sutlej and made Rampur, on the lower boundaries of the state, his capital. Bushair was considered as one of the wealthiest states of the region and was a major entrepot for trade with Tibet, Ladakh, Kashmir and Khazakstan.

But here legend crawls in again and the story is told of two brothers who set out from home. One night, as they slept, a stone grew between them. In the morning, when one brother woke up, he couldn’t see the other. Thinking that he had left, his brother took a high road and began walking. After a somewhat twisted sequence of events, he became the ruler of the area. The other one woke later and found his brother gone. He took the lower path and in time became the Rajpurohit (the head priest of the kingdom).

Tourist Attractions in Sarahan

Bhimkali Temple Complex
This temple complex consists of multiple storeys. The architecture of Bhimkali Temple Complex is very attractive as it is a combination of Buddhist and Hindu styles. The temple looks like a tower and the residing deity of this temple is goddess Bhimkali. Moreover, the temple complex is also a home to Lord Raghunath or the Narsingh shrine of Bhairon.

Bhaba Valley
This is an amazing valley that can be spotted at a distance of 50 Km from Sarahan. The valley lies in the environs of the Bhaba River. As one visit this valley, one come across alpine meadows as well as a lake. From this valley, one can easily head towards the Pin Valley in Spiti by trekking.

Bird Park
This park is situated close to the Bhimkali Temple and this park serves as a amusing breeding centre. In this park, one also find a bird named as Monal which attracts a number of tourists to behold its sight.

Darang Ghati
This is a bewitching valley that brings one closer to marvelous landscape that is more than enough to catch one’s fancy instantly.

Jeori
One can spot Jeori in the north eastern part of Shimla and it lies at a distance of 20 Km from Sarahan. Tourists visit this spot because of the existence of hot springs here.

Gaura
Gaura is an very scenic location which defines the beauty of rural rustic life. It lies at a distance of 37 kms from Sarahan. It is a worth visiting place as one visit Sarahan.

How to Reach Sarahan

By Rail 
One can reach Sarahan by train to Shimla and then take a private taxi or a bus run by the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation to Sarahan.

By Road
There is no airport or railway station at Sarahan; so, the only access is by road.

By Air
The nearest airport to Sarahan is Jubbarhatti in Shimla. From Shimla, Sarahan is at a distance of 175-kms. One has to then take a bus or a private taxi to go to Sarahan.

 

 


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