Shrikhand Mahadev

• Admin
• 23 January 2023

Located in the infamous district of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, this holy peak is considered as a part of the Great Himalayan National Park. Situated at 5227 meters above sea level, Shrikhand Mahadev hosts a 75 feet tall and 46 feet thick Shivling which remains free of snow even with heavy snowfall. Its unique feature also incorporates the Shiva Linga depicting the face of Lord Shiva with eyes, nose and matted locks of hair. This spot is one of the most beautiful parts of Panch Kailash and hosts scenic views along the way.

Folklore around Shrikhand Mahadev

The name of this divine mountain is derived from the words – ‘Sir Khandan’, which describes the ordeal of Ravana offering his head to Lord Shiva to impress him. Looking at his consistent efforts, Lord Shiva awarded him immortality.

Another folklore is about demon Bhimasar, who wanted to attain Goddess Parvati’s affection after he received a boon from Lord Shiva that he could consume anything he touched. He wanted to place his hands on Lord Shiva to end him and attain Goddess Parvati to wed her. It is believed that Lord Vishnu came to their assistance where he transformed into Mohini, and convinced him to dance with her. As a result, while dancing he placed his hand on his own head and died. It is to this day that the water and soil in this particular spot is crimson red in color.

• Important Places to Visit Nearby
• Barhati Nala- Called the Langar Sthal by locals, this place is looked after by a hermit. Pilgrims can enjoy the scenic views around this place and the food that is offered by the people as a part of the Shrikhand Mahadev journey.
• Bheem Dwari-This place is rumored to be a settlement for Bhima, and the name represents the same- Bheema’s gate. This place is the entry point for Parvati Bagh
• Parvati Bageecha- This beautiful bagh holds a plethora of flowers and majestic views of the villages that are settled below it. The official flower of Uttarakhand, Brahamkamal, is also found blooming here in the monsoon months. During the journey, this spot serves as a halt point. A legend so circulated among the locals says that when Goddess Parvati was waiting for Lord Shiva to end his meditation, she felt sad and anguished. To give her sympathy, thousands of these Brahmakamals sprang up to cheer her. That is why, these are her favorite flowers.
• Nayan Sarovar- Created from the waters of melting glaciers around it, the Nayan Srovar is in the shape of an eye. It is believed that when Mata Parvati could not get Shiv ji to get out of his meditation, a tear of hers fell down and created this lake. As a pilgrim, if you do not pay your respects at this spot, the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra is considered an incomplete one.
• Bhim ki Bahi- When you visit the peak, there are some boulders lying around with some unusual markings and writings on it. According to locals, this is where Bheema kept a record of his spends and accounts. Hence the name- Bhim ki Bahi
• Bhimakali Temple- Located in Sarahan this place worships Goddess Bhimakali, the deity of the rulers of Bushahr state. This spot is a Pitha- the place where the ear of Sati fell.
• Sarahan Bird Park- the state bird of Himachal, Jujurana is nestled in this park along with other local birds. The park remains closed during summers because of breeding season, otherwise you can enjoy a great and serene evening in this park.
• Hatu Temple- The charm of this temple lies in its architecture. It has a  mix of Hinduism and Buddhism in its carvings, making it one of a kind. This temple is located in Narkanda, Shimla. It is said to be the place where Pandavas used to cook while they were in exile from their kingdom.

How to Reach?
By Air - If you want to reach by air, the nearest Airports is Bhuntar Airport in Manali. From there you have to take a cab to reach Jaon village, from where the tour starts. Due to the limited capacity of Bhuntar Airport, you can also opt for Chandigarh Airport.

By Roadways- Direct buses are available to Manali or Shimla from many major cities. If not, you can take a bus to Delhi or Chandigarh and connect to Jaon through Shimla in a local bus.

By Railways- Kalka Station is the nearest spot to connect to Kullu. Due to its limited capacity, you can connect from Chandigarh and travel by road to reach Jaon. You can also travel from Shimla through a narrow line that runs through Kalka.

Pick and Drop Points

Usually, the pickup is scheduled from Shimla, Manali Airport, Chandigarh or Jaon Village. . As your travel consultants, pick and drop for our travelers can be arranged from many major cities as per the convenience and ask. Major cities like Delhi and Mumbai can also be considered as pick and drop points for groups with many members.

Required documents

There are strict guidelines from Tourist Authorities to submit a proper list of trekkers with updated documents in case of any emergency and keeping a proper record of people visiting the region. Please take note of these documents before you travel-

• Original and Photocopy of Id Card (Aadhar Card, Voter Id, PAN card etc.)
• Medical Clearance certificate ( to be filled by a registered practitioner)
• Medical Certificate of Fitness and Disclaimer (Filled by the trekker)
• The children traveling should be 15 years or older.

Temperature and Weather

Usually, this pilgrimage is started from full moon day in July to full moon day in August according to the Hindu calendar. The weather from April to August is quite summary, pleasant to start of monsoon. The temperature ranges from 8- 25 degrees during the summer months and drops to 5-17 degrees in the monsoon months.