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About
Sarahan |
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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. |
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Location of Sarahan |
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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. |
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Climate of Sarahan |
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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. |
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Trekking in Sarahan |
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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. |
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History of Sarahan |
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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). |
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Tourist Attractions in Sarahan |
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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. |
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How to Reach Sarahan |
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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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