Most popular holy place Maa Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan

About the Bhimakali Temple

A temple known for its unusual architecture and wood carvings, Shri Bhimakali Temple is located at Sarahan. This temple lies about 180 km from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and it is counted as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Bhimakali Temple is situated halfway up a high mountain and is remarkable for its natural beauty and glorious architecture. It is 17 km from Jeori and 29 km from Jhakri. This place is a heaven for people who are adventurous because the mountainside is ideal for trekking. It is also a pilgrimage site popular for the many legends. Nature lovers are also attracted to this place for its treasure of apple orchards, wild flowers and rare medicinal herbs. One can marvel at nature's beauty with scenic blue hills located at a distance.

It is said that once upon a time Banasur ruled this area of Kinnaur. He was so powerful that even the Pandavas had to change their route from here on the way to Badrinath. Nobody could defeat him. It was Maa Bhimakali who killed him in a fierce battle. The Bhimakali Temple, was built about 3,000 years ago. It is the main centre of attraction for tourists. Artefacts associated with the heritage of the place have been carefully preserved in the temple.
Sarahan was the capital of rulers of former Bushahr State. Bushahr dynasty earlier used to control the state from Kamru(sangla kinnaur). The capital of state later was shifted to Sonitpur. Later Raja Ram Singh made Rampur as the capital.It is believed that the country of Kinnaur was the Kailash mentioned in Puranas, the abode of Shiva. With its capital at Sonitpur this former princely state was extended up to entire area of Kinnaur where for sometimes Lord Shiva disguised himself as Kirata. Today, the then Sonitpur is known as Sarahan. Banasura, the ardent devotee of Lord Siva, eldest among the one hundred sons of great ablative demon King Bali and the great grandson of Vishnu votary Prahlad, during the Puranic age was the ruler of this princely state.

There are many legends and stories associated with Maa Bhimakali, one of which is the Daksha-Yagna event. It is believed that the ear of Sati fell at this place and it became a Pithasthan (a sacred place of worship).The icon of the Devi is preserved at the top storey of the new building which is present in the form of a virgin. Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya is consecrated below the top storey as the holy companion of Lord Shiva.The temple complex is built in the traditional shikhara style and features wooden beam structure and Ashlar stone work. The complex has four more temples dedicated to Shri Raghunathji, Narsinghji, Shri Lankravir (guardian deity of mother goddess) and Shri Hanuman Ji.

1.Summers here are pleasant but short. They last from April to June and the temperature stays between 20-25 degree Celsius.
2.Monsoons last from August to November. They arrive with light to medium rainfall. In the daytime, the weather remains soothing, but nights get colder.
3.Winters (December to March) are very cold as the temperature remains at 0-10 degree Celsius. So, one needs to carry heavy woollens to cope up with the weather during winter.

The best season to visit Sarahan is from April to June. Tourists can avoid visiting this scenic place in the months of August to November because these months witness monsoon season.September to November months are ideal for tourists because weather remains pleasant and one can also enjoy glorious views of the snow in Kufri and Narkanda.

The airport closest to Bhimakali Temple is at Shimla, which is 198 km from Sarahan.

There is no direct rail service that one can avail while going to Sarahan. The nearest railway station is at Shimla. However, a narrow gauge line connects Shimla to Kalka, which is 96 km from Sarahan. So, tourists can come as far as Kalka by train.one can take bus from the shimla main bus stand .It passes through the lakkar bazaar shimla,matiyana,narkanda and jeory .