Shikari Devi Mandir is the highest place in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is on top of a bare ridge above Janjehli valley, at a height of about 3,359 metres (around 11,000 feet). From here you can see the Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and the Kullu side mountains all around.
The temple has no roof. That is the first thing everyone asks about, so let me answer it straight away. Snow falls directly on the idols in winter. Local people say a roof was tried many times and it never stayed. Mata ji wants to stay under the open sky.
Shikari Devi at a glance
| District | Mandi, Himachal Pradesh |
| Height | About 3,359 m / 11,000 ft |
| Nearest town | Janjehli, around 18 km |
| Distance from Mandi | Around 100 km |
| Nearest railway | Joginder Nagar (narrow gauge), Kiratpur Sahib (broad gauge) |
| Nearest airport | Bhuntar, Kullu |
| Best time | April to June, September to November |
| Trek | Easy to moderate |
| Darshan timing | Sunrise to sunset. No fixed aarti in winter |
Why the name Shikari Devi
Shikari means hunter. In old days hunters from the jungles around Janjehli used to pray here before going out. That is how the name came.
There are two older stories also. One says the Pandavas built the first shrine here during their vanvas. The other says Rishi Markandeya did tapasya on this ridge. The idols inside are stone forms which people believe are swayambhu, not carved by hand.
How to reach Shikari Devi
From Janjehli side (most people go this way)
Mandi to Janjehli is about 3 hours by taxi. The road goes Mandi, Chail Chowk, Gohar, Janjehli. HRTC buses run on this route a few times a day, but if you are doing it in one day take a taxi.
From Janjehli there is now a jeep road that goes most of the way up. Taxis leave you a few km below the temple and from there it is a walk of one to two hours through jungle and meadow. Older people also manage it slowly.
If you want to trek the full way, Janjehli to Shikari Devi is around 18 km. It takes 5 to 7 hours. You pass Bhulah and Budha Kedar on the way.
From Karsog side
From Karsog you go via Bakhrot side. This is a full day trek and better for trekkers than for families. Trekkers often join it with Kamrunag and do 3 days.
Kamrunag and Shikari Devi together
Kamrunag lake and temple is on the next ridge. People do Rohanda to Kamrunag, then Kamrunag to Shikari Devi, then come down to Janjehli. Two to three days. June is good because of the Kamrunag mela, October is good for clear views.
Best time to go
April to June is the best. Sky is clear, flowers on the meadows, road to Janjehli fully open.
September to November is also very good. After monsoon the views are the clearest of the year. From October nights get very cold.
Navratri, both Chaitra and Sharad, is the busiest time. Big crowd at the top and guest houses in Janjehli get full.
December to March the whole ridge is under snow. Road above Janjehli usually closes. Only people who know winter trekking go up then.
July and August is monsoon. Landslides on the Gohar to Janjehli road. Avoid.
Where to stay
Janjehli is the base. There are small guest houses and homestays, and a PWD rest house which you book from Mandi.
Near the temple there is a basic sarai for pilgrims and open ground for camping. Carry your own sleeping bag. Even in May the night goes below zero up there.
If you are doing it as a day trip from Mandi, stay in Mandi town.
What to carry
Warm clothes even in summer. A rain jacket. Water, because there is very little on the ridge. Cap and sunscreen. A torch. Cash, because there is no ATM after Gohar. Keep your bag light. The height itself is enough to make you tired if you have come from the plains.
Nearby places
- Kamrunag Lake and Temple, on the next ridge, one day trek
- Janjehli valley, apple orchards, start of the Shikari trek
- Chindi and Karsog, Mamleshwar and Kamaksha temples
- Sundernagar, Murari Devi and BBMB lake, on the way back to Mandi
शिकारी देवी मंदिर
शिकारी देवी मंदिर मंडी ज़िले की सबसे ऊँची जगह पर है, लगभग 3,359 मीटर की ऊँचाई पर। इस मंदिर की कोई छत नहीं है। लोग कहते हैं कि कई बार छत बनाई गई पर टिकी नहीं, माता जी खुले आसमान के नीचे ही रहना चाहती हैं। जंजैहली से जीप वाली सड़क है, आख़िरी कुछ किलोमीटर पैदल चलना पड़ता है। पूरा ट्रेक करना हो तो जंजैहली से लगभग 18 किलोमीटर है। जाने का सबसे अच्छा समय अप्रैल से जून और सितंबर से नवंबर है। सर्दियों में यहाँ बहुत बर्फ़ रहती है।
Common questions
How high is Shikari Devi temple?
About 3,359 m, roughly 11,000 ft. Highest point in Mandi district.
How far is Shikari Devi from Mandi?
About 100 km by road to Janjehli. Then a short walk, or an 18 km trek if you want to do the whole thing on foot.
Can we go by car to Shikari Devi?
Almost. A jeep road from Janjehli goes to within a few km of the temple. Last part is on foot.
Why is there no roof on Shikari Devi mandir?
Local belief is that Mata ji wants to stay open to the sky. Roofs were built and did not stay.
Is Shikari Devi open in winter?
The temple is never closed, but the road above Janjehli is under snow from December to March. Only experienced trekkers go up then.
Kamrunag or Janjehli, which is closer to Shikari Devi?
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Janjehli is where the road ends. Kamrunag is a trekking route on the next ridge, usually done together over 2 or 3 days.
