Name of Place:	Shikari Mata
District:	Mandi
State:	Himachal Pradesh
Country:	India
Time to Visit:	May to October

Shikari Devi Temple is situated near Karsog Valley of District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. On the way there are beautiful views of pine, deodar trees and apple orchards.

The Temple is at a height of about 3300m above sea level. It is enjoyable and beautiful trek through different routes up-to ancient shrine of Shikari Devi Temple.

The history of Temple is very interesting, as there is no roof over the Shikari Devi Temple. When anyone tried to build roof, it was destroyed by lightening during rain. In winter, the area is full of snow, but the place where idol of Shikari Mata is placed remains free of snow. The place receives about 5ft to 6ft of snow or might be higher during winters.

Christ Church, Shimla

We Started to Shikari Mata from Shimla on 30/06/2012 (Saturday) via Naldehra-Tattapani. We were five in a Private Vehicle (Manoj Mehta, Sandeep Bhardwaj, Avneet Sirckek, Suraj Chauhan & Bharat Shah). We started our tour from Shimla and stopped for a while at Tattapani and spent there around ½ an hour on the river side.

Near Hot Water Springs (Tattapani)

Mode of Conveyance

HPPWD Rest House (Chindi)

After then we moved ahead and stayed in HPPWD Rest House at Chindi. We had a lot of fun there, had our dinner and spent more than half night while playing cards. In the next morning after having breakfast, we again started our tour to Shikari Mata by approaching to Sanarli. A cab was hired there at Sanarli as the road from that place (Sanarli) was not so good for low ground clearance vehicles, therefore, a cab which was able to run on that road was hired. The vehicle hiring was done in advance by one of our friend.

Distance Information Board at HPPWD Rest House, Chindi

Karsog Area View

After reaching Sanarli, the driver was waiting for us. We parked our vehicle there and started our journey around 09:30 am in the hired vehicle by going up, above and high.

Road from Sanarli to Shikari Mata

On the way, there were too many captivating natural scenes. We stopped for water near a natural source, clicked some photographs and moved ahead.

En-route Shikari Mata

Our Hired Cab & Driver

View on the way to Shikari Mata (Pic: Manoj Mehta)

After 1½ hours at around 11:30 am we reached at car parking of Shikari Mata. 

Car Parking at Shikari Mata

After than we moved on foot towards the Temple.

On Foot Way to Shikari Mata from Parking

On Foot Way to Shikari Mata from Parking)

It was 20-30 minutes walk from Car Parking to the Shikari Mata Temple.

Shikari Mata Temple

There was a local fair due to which too many people were gathered there.

Shikari Mata Temple

Shikari Mata Temple

Shikari Mata Temple

Shikari Mata Surrounding

After spending 30-40 minutes, we moved back to Car Parking.

Back to Car Parking

At Car Parking, there were many shops of locals and others. We asked for lunch in a shop.

Waiting for lunch

After reaching Sanarli, we moved towards Mool Mahung Ji Temple, Bakharikothi and reached there at around 04:30 pm.

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

Mool Mahunag Ji Temple, Bakharikothi

After ½ an hour we left the place and moved back to Shimla.

Information given is completely based on my personal experience.

Regards

M. K. Mehta