Page 122 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

120  DELHI & THE NOR TH

Sarahan: Bhimakali Temple

The palace-cum-temple complex of the Bushahr kings,
Bhimakali owes its origin to the tradition of housing the family
deity on the top floor of the feudal chief’s home. Its elaborate
layout consists of a series of courtyards connected by beautiful
gateways. The presiding deity, Bhimakali, one of the myriad
forms of the goddess Kali, is housed in the first floor of the
pagoda-style temple. Although the exact age of the temple
is not known, it is associated with historical events dating to
the 7th century, while parts of it are around 800 years old.

The pavilion in the spacious gardens
of Rampur’s palace
6 Rampur
Shimla district. 130 km (81 miles)
NE of Shimla. @ ( daily.
_ Lavi Fair (Nov).
Once on the main trade
route between India and
Tibet, Rampur is today a big
commercial town. It comes View of the Bhimakali Temple Complex
alive in November each year The twin towers of the Bhimakali Temple, covered
when the vibrant Lavi Fair in snow and framed against the backdrop of the
(see p117) takes place. Srikhand Range, present an awesome sight.
The early 20th-century
palace of the old kings is still
their private residence, though
visitors are allowed to walk
around the sprawling gardens.
A Hindu temple and a small
pavilion are set in their midst.

7 Sarahan
Narasimha
Shimla district. 198 km (123 miles) Temple
NE of Shimla. @ ( daily.
_ Dussehra (Sep/Oct).
Perched high above the left
bank of the Satluj, Sarahan was
once the summer residence
of the Bushahr kings. At 2,165 m
(7,103 ft), it has a pleasant climate
enhanced by the vista of the
Srikhand Range across the KEY
valley, with the twin peaks 1 Main Entrance is an
of Gushu-Pishu and the holy elaborately decorated metal
mountain Srikhand Mahadev door, which opens into the
standing out prominently. first courtyard.
Sarahan’s most interesting sight 2 Slate roofs
is the spectacular tower temple,
Bhimakali. It also has a short 3 The Ram Mandir is located in
nature trail leading to a pheas- the second courtyard.
antry. The many pheasants 4 Carved tiger statue
housed here include the monal 5 Alternating bands of
and the near-extinct Western stone and timber
Himalayan tragopan.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p695 and p707

120-121_EW_India.indd 120 26/04/17 11:43 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm