Sarahan: the Bhimakali temple and the old capital of Bushahr
A hill village above the Sutlej with one of Himachal’s most striking temples — tall towers of timber and stone, silver doors and a view of Shrikhand Mahadev. The natural first stop on the road to Kinnaur and Spiti.
- ~2,165 m Sarahan
- ~175 km from Shimla
- Kath-kuni wood & stone
- All year open
Updated November 2026 · HP Tourism registered travel agent · Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 · certificates
Sarahan is a village at about 2,165 m above the Sutlej valley, roughly 175 km from Shimla, and was a seat of the old Bushahr rulers. Its Bhimakali temple, dedicated to the goddess Bhimakali, is a complex of tall towers built in the Himalayan kath-kuni style of alternating timber and stone, with carved wooden balconies, slate roofs and embossed silver doors. Many devotees regard it as a Shakti Peeth. Inside, visitors must cover their heads, leave leather items outside and follow the temple rules. On clear days the Shrikhand Mahadev peak rises across the valley. Sarahan makes an easy first night out of Shimla on the way to Sangla, Kalpa and Spiti, and is open all year, with occasional snow in winter.
- HeightAbout 2,165 m.
- From ShimlaAbout 175 km, via Narkanda and Rampur (the last stretch climbs from Jeori).
- TempleBhimakali, built in timber-and-stone kath-kuni style.
- RulesHead covered; leather belts, wallets and bags outside; no photos in the inner shrine.
- Best timeMarch – June and September – November; winter for snow.
Sarahan, Rampur and Narkanda weather today
Sarahan (about 2,165 m) with Rampur (about 1,005 m) in the valley below and Narkanda (about 2,708 m) on the road from Shimla — 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 Bhimakali temple: what to see
The temple stands at the top of Sarahan in a walled compound. Two great towers — an older one and a newer one built to the same plan — rise in layers of deodar timber and dry stone, a technique called kath-kuni that has helped Himalayan buildings survive earthquakes for centuries. Their upper storeys carry carved wooden galleries under pagoda-like slate roofs.
Inside the courtyards you pass through doors faced with embossed silver panels of gods and goddesses. The shrine of the goddess Bhimakali is on an upper floor of the tower; the temple has long been the family deity of the Bushahr rulers, whose palace stands next to it.
Follow the rules at the gate: cover your head (caps are provided), leave leather items such as belts and wallets in the lockers, and do not photograph inside the inner shrine.
Getting there, timings and where it fits
Sarahan is reached from Shimla on NH-5 via Theog, Narkanda and Rampur, turning off at Jeori for a 17 km climb. Most people stay a night, see the temple in the evening aarti or early morning, and continue into Kinnaur.
| From | Approx. distance | Time by road |
|---|---|---|
| Shimla | ~175 km | 6–7 hours |
| Narkanda | ~110 km | 4 hours |
| Rampur | ~40 km | 1.5 hours |
| Sangla | ~80 km | 3–3.5 hours |
| Kalpa | ~85 km | 3–3.5 hours |
Timings vary with the season and festival days; the temple is generally open from early morning to evening with a midday break. Next on the road: Sangla and Chitkul · Kalpa · Nako.
Best time to visit Sarahan
March to June and September to November bring clear views of Shrikhand and comfortable days. The monsoon (July–August) brings heavy rain and landslides on the Rampur–Jeori road. In winter Sarahan stays open and sometimes gets snow; days are crisp and nights cold. Sarahan also has a pheasantry for breeding rare Himalayan pheasants, a short walk from the village.
Sarahan and Bhimakali in pictures
The temple towers, the courtyard, the silver doors and Sarahan in winter — real photographs, each credited to its photographer.
Shimla to Kinnaur: stops along the way
Break the drive into the high valleys.
Rampur
Old Bushahr town; Lavi fair in November.
Jeori
Start of the 17 km climb to Sarahan.
Plan Kinnaur with us
Stays, meals and a private car with a mountain driver, in one quote.
Planning Sarahan and Kinnaur?
Tell us your dates, where you are starting from and how many of you are travelling. We plan the drive from Shimla in easy stages and send a written quote with stays and a private car. Suzu Travels is a travel agent registered with HP Tourism, based in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
Sarahan and Bhimakali temple: frequently asked questions
How far is Sarahan from Shimla?
About 175 km, 6–7 hours by road via Narkanda and Rampur.
What is special about the Bhimakali temple?
Its tall towers in timber-and-stone kath-kuni style, carved balconies and silver-plated doors, and its long link with the Bushahr rulers.
Is Bhimakali temple a Shakti Peeth?
Many devotees regard it as one; it is dedicated to the goddess Bhimakali.
What are the rules inside Bhimakali temple?
Cover your head, leave leather items outside and do not photograph inside the inner shrine.
Does it snow in Sarahan?
Sometimes in mid-winter; the village and temple stay open.
Is Sarahan on the way to Spiti?
Yes — it is a good first night from Shimla on the Kinnaur route to Spiti.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Sarahan and Bhimakali Temple
- MET Norway Locationforecast (CC BY 4.0) — live forecast data
Photo credits
Bhimakali Temple, Sarahan — Photo: Sanyam Bahga from Roorkee, India, CC BY-SA 2.0 · The temple towers — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0 · The temple across the field — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The new tower — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The temple courtyard — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Silver door panels — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wood carving — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0 · Sarahan and the temple — Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY 4.0 · Sarahan in winter — Photo: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0
