Surrounded by fields and orchards, and small villages with remarkable examples of local architecture, Sarahan is revered as one of the fifty-one Shaktipeeths - and the famous wood and stone temple of Bhimakali is a resplendent example of indigenous building skills. For several centuries this was also the seat of the former princely state of Bushair. Sarahan faces the snow-clad Shrikhand ranges which divide the valleys of the Satluj and Beas rivers and the regions of Shimla and Kullu. The greatest draw in the tiny village of Sarahan is the magnificent stone and timber temple dedicated to the Goddess, Bhimakali. With interlocked wooden beams encasing dressed stone, the outer walls of the Bhimakali temple complex cover about an acre of buildings and courtyards. On the periphery of the complex is a temple dedicated to Lord Narasingh in the classical ‘shikara’ style. Then there is the temple dedicated to Lord Raghunath after which comes the shrine built around a well and dedicated to Bhairon. Past this are the two towers of the Bhimakali temples. The one on the right is the older one and remains closed. The newer one was built in 1943.

History

Like numerous other places in India, Sarahan draws a fine borderline between legend and history. This was where Banasura of legend once ruled. Then one night his beautiful daughter Usha had a dream. She dreamt of a prince far handsomer and stronger than any. And when she awoke, she pined for that prince. Usha told her friend Chitralekha about the dream and the prince. Based on Usha’s description, Chitralekha drew a likeness of the prince and to console her friend went looking for him. Then one day she saw Anniruddha, the son of Lord Krishna and found that he was the man in Usha’s dream. Chitralekha carried him to Usha but when Krishna heard of the abduction, he marched with his army against Banasura – who hadn’t a clue of what the fight was all about. Banasura was defeated and magnanimous as ever, when Krishna heard the story he married his son with great pomp and ceremony to Usha. As time passed and the mists of myth gave way to verifiable history, the beautiful spot of Sarahan became the capital of the princely state of Bushair. The raja moved here from Kamru, the original seat in the Baspa (Sangla) valley. In the 18th century another shift was made and the capital was moved to Rampur on the banks of the river Satluj and by the lower boundaries of the state. Bushair was regarded to be one of the wealthiest states of the region and was a major entrepot on the old trade routes that led to Tibet, Ladakh, Kashmir and Kazakhstan.

Getting Around

Sarahan is basically a small village centered around the Bhimakali temple complex. Getting around is easy and you can walk to most places. For longer trips, taxis and buses are available.

Tourist Traps in the City

None as such.

Local Custom

None as such, but dress conservatively in public and behave appropriately while visiting the temple complex.

Shopping

Shopping is very limited in Sarahan. Some locally made jams, pickles and preserves are available. Shawls, woolens, caps and some handicrafts are sold in the shops near the temple.

Communications

Sarahan has a couple of small internet and STD booths. The connections of all major GSM providers (Airtel, Vodafone and Idea) function in Sarahan.