Janjehli and Shikari Devi: the open-sky temple above Mandi
A green, little-visited valley of apple orchards and wooden villages, below a summit temple that, by local belief, will not keep a roof — and one of the best snow treks in central Himachal.
- ~3,330 m Shikari Devi
- ~16 km Janjehli → temple
- ~80 km from Mandi
- Dec–Mar snow, temple closed
Photo: Sunil Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Janjehli is a valley in the Seraj area of Mandi district, about 80 km (3–3.5 hours) from Mandi town, and the base for the Shikari Devi temple at about 3,330 m. The temple stands on an open summit with no roof — local belief says a roof never stays — and looks out over the ridges of Mandi, Kullu and Shimla. A road climbs most of the way from Janjehli (about 16 km), followed by a short walk; you can also trek up through forest in 5–6 hours. From about December to March the summit is under deep snow and the temple is usually closed to visitors, but Janjehli and the lower trail make a quiet snow trip. April to June and September to November are the easiest months.
- HeightShikari Devi about 3,330 m; Janjehli village about 2,100 m.
- DistancesMandi → Janjehli ~80 km; Janjehli → Shikari Devi ~16 km by road + short walk.
- TempleOpen-air, no roof; usually closed from about December to March due to snow.
- SnowDecember – March on the summit; Janjehli in cold spells.
- NearbyKamrunag lake, Karsog valley, Chindi, Shimla via Karsog.
Shikari Devi and Karsog weather today
Shikari Devi’s summit is far colder than the valleys around it. Current temperature and the next days’ high, low, rain and snow.
Forecast data: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), refreshed about once a day — last update —.
The Shikari Devi temple
Shikari Devi is worshipped across Mandi as a goddess of the hunt and a guardian of the hills. Her temple on the summit is a simple shrine of stone images open to the sky; local tradition says that every attempt to put a roof over it has failed, and that snow never settles on the idols. The surrounding forest is the Shikari Devi wildlife sanctuary, with fir, oak and rhododendron and, higher up, open meadows.
Legend links the temple with the Pandavas, who are said to have prayed here during their exile. Many visitors come at dawn for the view, when the snow peaks of the Pir Panjal and the Kullu valley stand out in the east.
Best time to visit Janjehli and Shikari Devi
The road to the top is narrow and closes with the first heavy snow.
| Season | Janjehli | Shikari Devi |
|---|---|---|
| April – June | Apple blossom, pleasant days | Road open; meadows and rhododendrons |
| July – September | Monsoon rain, lush | Fog and slippery road; landslides possible |
| October – November | Clear, cold nights | Best views; first snow late in the season |
| December – March | Cold; snow in spells | Deep snow; temple usually closed |
How to reach Janjehli
From Mandi, drive via Chail Chowk and Thunag to Janjehli (about 80 km, 3–3.5 hours). From Shimla, the route goes via Karsog (about 180 km). The nearest airport is Bhuntar (Kullu); Mandi is on the Chandigarh–Manali highway — see the Himachal distance chart. Weather: Mandi ka mausam · Karsog weather.
Janjehli and Shikari Devi in pictures
The snowy ridges and forest of the sanctuary, the open-air temple and the Janjehli valley — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Around Janjehli
Combine Janjehli with these.
Our offbeat Himachal trips
Homestays or hotels, meals and a private car with a hill driver — one written quote.
Planning Janjehli or Shikari Devi?
Tell us your dates and group. We check the road and snow on the summit and send one written quote with stay, meals and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
Janjehli and Shikari Devi: frequently asked questions
Why does the Shikari Devi temple have no roof?
Local belief holds that the goddess prefers an open sky and that every roof built over the shrine has failed to stay.
Is Shikari Devi temple open in winter?
It is usually closed from about December to March because of deep snow on the summit.
How far is Janjehli from Mandi?
About 80 km, roughly 3–3.5 hours by road.
Can I drive to Shikari Devi?
A road climbs most of the way from Janjehli when it is open, followed by a short walk; many people also trek up through the forest.
How high is Shikari Devi?
About 3,330 m above sea level.
When is the best time to visit Janjehli?
April to June and September to November; December to March for snow lower down.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
Shikari Devi ridge in snow — Photo: Sunil Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shikari Devi temple — Photo: Narender Sharma, Blue Particle Solutions, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Janjehli valley — Photo: Gitu thakur 2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Snowy forest on the trail — Photo: Kai Chongloi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Meadows below Shikari Devi — Photo: Sunil Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The sanctuary in winter — Photo: Sunil Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The summit ridge in summer — Photo: Prateek0007, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shikari Devi in winter — Photo: Narender Sharma, Blue Particle Solutions, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Snow on the trees — Photo: Narender Sharma, Blue Particle Solutions, CC BY-SA 4.0
