Sarahan

Sarahan is located in the foothills of Himalayan Mountains. Sarahan is situated in the Sutlej valley. Sarahan was the old capital of Rampur Bushair one of the biggest princely states in Shimla hills. Sarahan is located on the Kinnaur-Shimla border in Himachal Pradesh. It offers natural eye soothing beauty and is a comprehensive place of sacredness. It is a heaven enriched with awe-inspiring qualities.

There are several mythological stories that are woven around Sarahan. Centuries ago, the Raja of Kullu District declared war on neighbouring Kingdom Bushair. Post the huge intense and bloody war, the king of Bushair won victory over the opponent. The separated head of the ruler of Kullu was brought to Sarahan and placed on the stone platform. The family members of raja of kullu and the people of his kingdom pleaded to return his head so that they could perform the last funeral rites. The ruler of Bushair laid three conditions before them before he would return the head - the land that was seized across the Sutlej would be retained, Kullu must promise to never again challenge its neighbour and the captured image of Lord Raghunath (the pattern Devta of Kullu) would not be returned. The defeated kingdom accepted all these terms and in return only asked the ruler of Bushair to celebrate the festival of Dussehra. This request was accepted and Dussehra has now become a major local festival. The image of Lord Raghunath was ceremoniously installed alongside that of Bhimakali.

The months from March to October are of great amusement in Sarahan. Summer is cool, but daytime temperatures can go up to 32 degree Celsius, while the winter is chilly with snow. Carry both the combination of cotton clothes and heavy woollens for summer and winter respectively.

Tourism in Sarahan is dealing with the tourists" spots where one can find the number of temples and the other nature and leisure tourism sites. Some of the tourist"s attractions like Bhimakali Temple, King`s and Queen`s Palace, Jujurana, Hawa-Ghar and many other tourists sites.

Bhimamali Temple
Bhimakali Temple is an iconic structure housing the Kuldevi (the presiding deity of the dynasty) of Bushahr Kingdom. Bhimakali Temple is noteworthy in that it contains both Hindu and Vajrayana Buddhist statues and decorations which reflect the trade through here between India and Tibetan regions through ancient Indo-Tibetan Road. The traces of old Indo-Tibetan road still pass through Shalabag near Sarahan. It also shows Kushana dynasty influence in its architecture and possibly some of the images in it are Kushana. There are two adjacent identical looking temple buildings. The temple is built in Indo- Tibetan style of architecture. The alternate rows of grooved and interlocked stones and wood provide flexibility and strength to the walls. The thick walls with lower roofs found in typical mountainous region buildings provide warmth during winters. The Bushahr kings are believed to be dynastic priests of the temple and used to reside in temple premises before moving to palace some 100 meters from temple. Artistic wood work on the temple is worth appreciating.

King`s and Queen`s Palace
King`s and Queen`s Palace in Sarahan is comparatively recent buildings of modern era. The palaces are generally not open for visitors, though they can roam around in the garden, orchard, around the palace and take pictures. The royal family don"t live there any longer and visit occasionally during Durga Puja Festival in October.

Jujurana
Jujurana is one of the protected species of birds in the region. Pheasantry at Sarahan caters to breeding of some local species of birds and they can be seen inside cages. Pheasantry remains closed during summer, it being the breeding season. Pheasantry is also a good place for a short uphill trek which may take 1-2 hours and gives good view of two of the prominent peaks the Gushu-Pushu and the Shrikhand Mahadeva.

Hawa-Ghar
Hawa-Ghar is a small sitting area built under canopy with all round view of the peaks and valley. The tall trees have grown around it now and views are obstructed. It is built 2 kilometres uphill of Sarahan and can be accessed by metalled road.

Sarahan Stadium
Sarahan Stadium is built near peasantry and a large natural drain passes underneath it. It is a good place to relax in sun and enjoy the view.

Natural Warm Water Stream
There is a warm water stream at Jeori just ahead of turn for Sarahan on National Highway no. 22. There are dedicated bathing areas with changing rooms at the stream. The stream is believed to have medicative properties by local people of Sarahan.