Bagha Sarhan – Mini Khajjiar

Baga Sarahan is a historic meadow located in the Sarahan Village of Kullu Nirmand Tehsil in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. A wonderful village in a lush green valley in the middle of snow-covered hills. The village has a beautiful temple in the middle. Baga Sarahan is 170 km away toward north from capital Shimla and 30 Kms from Nirmand &  approximately 45 Kms picturesque drive from Rampur, in Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh, will bring you to a beautiful little hamlet called Baga Sarahan.  Baga Sarahan is surrounded with unconfined, draping meadows bordered with deep forests on one end while traditional Kathkuhni houses and apple orchards on the other.

Baga Sarahan has got its main road leading right into the meadow. It is well connected however there are simpler and fewer public transport options. From Shimla – drive to Rampur (120kms), take the Nirmand-Bagi-pul route to a village called Baga Sarahan. Baga Sarahan is around 50 km from Rampur Bushahr. 

Bagha Sarahan falls into the Seraj region of Himalaya. The word “Seraj” (सिराज) in Urdu means the Sun or a plume of Light. Basically, a Lamp. Seraj is a territorial region constituting the Outer and Inner Seraj in the Kullu District. The passes of Jalori and Bashleu separate these regions, even though the locals are related on both sides.

Places to visit:

Rishi Jalandi, who arose from water (Jal) in Mansarovar. Hence the name – Jal Andi, risen from water.

You can also visit a waterfall, which is a short hike away from the campsite and offers a divine view of the valley. You can spend half a day enjoying the sounds and sights and have a picnic lunch at the waterfall.

The adventurous folks also have an option to Trek to Bashleo Pass which is at a 6 Kms incline from close to the campsite. The walk is through the meadows, farms, a pine forest and it finally opens to flowing meadows at about 3277 meters above sea level. After a short nap in the flowing meadows, you can descend downwards for a relaxing evening at the campsite.

Dev Dhank – Cave of Lord Shiva

Duttnagar from Bayal

Himachal Pradesh is a state of mysteries. There are many temples here, whose story is nothing short of a mystery. One such temple is Dev Dhank (Cave of Lord Shiva). Dev Dhank which is located in the Nirmand -Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Its is 147 Kms from Shimla and just 3 kms from nirmand. It is believed that there is a secret route which directly reaches Shri Khand where Lord Shiva resides in the form of a big rock. 

Dev Dhank – Lord Shiva Cave

Dev Dhank – A lord shiva temple builds inside a small rock-cut cave. A narrow gorge leads one to the temple complex. The cave is quite deep and about 6 feet in height. A shiva lingam is enshrined inside the Dhar Deo Dhank cave. From the top of the cave, water seeps down inside, drop by drop. Such a phenomenon is looked at as a miracle of nature, otherwise, there is absolutely no trace of water on the rock in the hill. There is a bunch of revered trees outside the cave under which idols of other divinities are kept. The entrance to the cave is shaped in the form of Lord Ganesha. The local people consider it an exceedingly hallowed shrine.

It is said by the Pandavas that the small little cave is connected to Shrikhand Kailash through narrow cave inside the mountain. There is a narrow cave inside the mountain which is an entry and exits of this cave. 

According to legends – Bhasmasur, the asura who meditated for hundreds of years to please Shiva. Bhole blessed him with the Bhasma Kangan giving him the power to turn anyone into the ashes, including the Devas, by placing his hand on their heads. The cruel-hearted Bhasmasur decided to try the same on Shiva. Shiva, however, escaped to Kailasha from a cave which is now known as Devdhank.

Nirmand- Largest and Most Ancient Village, in Kullu District

Image Credit: https://www.thenewshimachal.com/2016/05/nirmand-remote-village-hidden-world/

Nirmand is believed to be the biggest village in Asia. However, it is hard to say how much ground this claim holds, you will eventually start believing the same after paying a visit to the village. This beautiful hamlet stands overlooking the Satluj Valley and is about 150 km from Shimla and 17 km from Rampur.

The village that is often referred to as the ‘Kashi of the Himalayas’ is home to shrubs of herbs and trees of golden apricots, green almonds, cherries and delicious apples. Nirmand is renowned for its exquisite wood and stone temples of the 6th and the 7th centuries. The name Nirmand is a spoiled form of Nrimund, which means the head of a man as the severed head of Sati is said to have fallen here after the destruction of Daksha Yajna, also referred to as Daksha-Yajna-Nasha. It is believed that Lord Parashuram made the Brahmins settle here to eliminate the Kshatriyas, from the face of the earth.

Image Credit : https://sahilexploringhimachal.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/nirmand/

History
According to one belief Devi Ambika of Nirmand is Ambika of Mahabharata. Another legend is that in the Satyug when the demons created an atmosphere of terror in the Himalayas, Parshuram came to Nirmand. Here a Naga attacked him and lord Parshuram cut the Naga deity into pieces. Parshuram, then in his rage, eradicated many demons with his axe. But he could not overcome them all. When Gods saw that even Parshuram was unable to kill all the demons they went to Lord Vishnu. They meditated upon Mahakali (Ambika) on the advice of Vishnu. Then Devi Ambika fought the demons using her weapons like khapar (bowl), Trishul (trident) and sword and killed all of them. After this event, a temple was constructed for Devi Ambika at Nirmand. The Devi has eight mohras and the main mohra is called Bhadra kali

Deo Dhank
The Dhar Deo Dhank Cave is 3km from Nirmand towards the south. A narrow gorge leads one to the temple complex. The cave is quite deep and about 6 feet in height. A shiva lingam is enshrined inside the Dhar Deo Dhank cave. From the top of the cave, water seeps down inside, drop by drop. Such a phenomenon is looked at as a miracle of nature, otherwise, there is absolutely no trace of water on the rock on the hill. There is a bunch of revered trees outside the cave under which idols of other divinities are kept. The entrance to the cave is shaped in the form of Lord Ganesha. The local people consider it an exceedingly hallowed shrine.

Srikhand Mahadev – The abode of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva in the Snowy Himalayas

On the great heights of Himalayas is the natural shivalingam known as Srikhand Mahadev, considered an abode of Hindu God Shiva. The Shrikhand Mahadev Peak is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh and is one of the revered pilgrimage sites.

Srikhand Mahadev

Kullu is also home to several other ancient temples and holy sites making the district a Hindu yatra place visited by thousands of devotees throughout the year. The popular direction that tourists and pilgrims follow is from Shimla to Rampur and then to the Jao village. The trekking up Shrikhand Mahadev Peak starts from the Jao Village.

About Srikhand Mahadev Yatra

The rock-made shivalingam is around 70 feet in height and situated at an elevation of 19,000 feet above sea level. The yatra is steep and there is low oxygen on the top. This pilgrimage tour is also popular as Srikhand Kailash Yatra in Himachal Pradesh. The dates for the yatra or pilgrimage are only between July and August and lasts for 15-20 days in a year. Guru Poornima is the eve when the yatra starts. The road to the peak remains closed after this period. Heavy snowfall and storms begin by the month of October.

Srikhand Mahadev Yatra

Travelers need to carry sufficient dry food and glucose with them. It is also necessary for them to get a health check up done before they actually go on the yatra. There is hardly any medical aid center on the way and only Shrikhand Mahadev Seva Dal serves free meals to the pilgrims.

Legend behind Srikhand Mahadev Yatra

According to Hindu mythology, Bhasamasur did a hard penance and meditated for several years before the Mahadev or Lord Shiva became pleased with him. When Bhasamasur tried to use the bhasama kangan (the invisible powder) on Lord Shiva due to his pride and ego, Mahadev vanished into a cave and later appeared on a hill top that is presently known as the Srikhand Mahadev Peak presently and the cave into which he had vanished is known as Devdank and is situated near Nirmand.

Places around Srikhand Mahadev Peak

There are several places of religious and cultural importance to stop over before you finally reach the peak.

Devdank – The gufa or holy cave near Nirmand where Lord Shiva disappeared after Bhasamasur chased him with the bhasma kangan.

Devdank

Thachru – Singhad is around 11 km from Jao Village (the yatra starts from here) and is well known for a temple dedicated to the Van Devata or the Jungle God. There is also a resting place for the pilgrims at Thachru established by the Vikas Khand Nirmand. Legend also reveals that the Pandavas had undertaken the yatra.
Nain Sarovar – A natural reservoir that offers spectacular views during winter. The source of water here is believed to be the tears of Goddess Parvati. People take a holy dip and carry the sacred water with them.

Bhim Shila – Large sized boulders lie between the Srikhand Mahadev Peak and Nain Sarovar Lake. According to local folklores, Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers was building a staircase that led to heaven.

Srikhand Mahadev Yata Fast Facts

Location of Srikhand Mahadev –Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Best Time to Visit – Srikhand Mahadev Yatra generally remains open for 15-20 days during 15th July to 5-10 August

How to Reach Srikhand Mahadev

By Air – The nearest airport is at Jubbarhatti, Shimla.

By Rail – Nearest railyway station is at Shimla. Then from there you have to go by road

By Road – This road route is from Delhi. So from Delhi go to Chandigarh and reach Shimla. From Shimla go to Narkanda, Nirmand and Bagi Pul. The total drive upto this is of 9 hrs. From Bagi Pur go to Sindhwar – Bhimdwari – Nain Sarovar – Shrikhand Mahadev. This total drive is again of about 22 hrs.

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Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash Yatra in Himachal – Forget the Rest.

ShriKhand Mahadev is situated at 5250 Mtrs, 18500 feet of height in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India. This place is known for Lord Shiva in Hindu Religion. Ideal time to visit this place is June-July. During this period thousands of pilgrims do the mighty journey of this holy place.

How to reach

There are three ways to reach Shrikhand Mahadev
1. via Shimla-Narkanda-Rampur Busharhr-Arsu-Bagipul

2. from Kullu side—last village conneted by road is Bathad in Banjar Block of distt. Kullu…From Bathad a steep track leads to BASHLEU PASS and then it leads to a very beautiful village SARAHAN (but this is Kullu Sarahan another one is in Shimla distt), this track is also mention in himalayancamping.com

3. Third track is via Rampur Bushahr-Jeory…. but this is very hard and usually local people from Shimla-SARAHAN area use this track… you can come to shimla by road, air or rail…. and from shimla there are direct buses to Rampur Bushahr (130 KM, five hour journey)… in the way to Rampur Bushahr… NARKANDA is another Good place to visit…From Rampur Bushahr you can reach Nirmand by bus (17 KM) or Arsu (13 KM from Nirmand, total 30 KM from rampur) and stay there at night…

You can go direct by trecking to Arsu also. this is just around 9-10 KM steep trail… but the route is very adventurous…. most of the foreigner treckers use this track to reach Arsu…in Arsu there is a PWD rest house (which u should book in Rampur before reachig Arsu) and there is a private guest house also… next day from Arsu you can reach Bagipul by road (10 KM) or by track (around 6 KM)……
The three days (two nights) journey to holy Shrikhand Mahadev starts from Bagipul…. a jeepable road of arond 6-7 KM has been made in 2005 on this track… u can hire a tempo trax also to save ur energy…