Shikari Devi Temple is located at 11,000 feet in the Karsog Janjehli valley of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is 18 kms away from Janjheli and 94 kms from Mandi. Shikari Devi is the highest peak in the Mandi district, also known as the Crown of Mandi. There are some stunning legends and facts about this temple which we will get to know today.
There is no roof over this temple. Many attempts were made to build a roof over this temple in the past, but every time the attempt failed. The roof could not stay on top of the temple. Even today, Shikari Devi temple is without a roof. This is the only temple in Mandi district that does not have a roof. Here the goddess is enshrined under the open sky. The idols are installed only on the walls of the temple. It is a local belief that the deity does not like to stay inside the temple with a roof over it.
The second stunning fact is that when snow falls in winter, it falls only around the temple. No snow is spotted inside the temple premises, while the entire area around the temple is snow clad in the winters. According to ancient beliefs, Shikari Devi fulfills the wishes of any devotee who comes to her and asks for a vow. In the summer, there is severe heat in the lower areas, while the temperature of this temple always remains around 10 degree Celsius.
As per legend, the Pandavas came to this region in their exile and spent some time here. One day the five Pandavas were roaming in the forest, and when they saw a beautiful deer, the five brothers ran after it to hunt the deer. But they could not hunt it as the deer ran away from their reach. They started telling themselves that may be the deer was elusive, which is why they could not hunt it. Suddenly goddess Shikari Devi appeared there and said that the deer was her power. Then they apologized to Mata Shikari Devi, and she forgave them. Afterwards, goddess Shikari Devi said, ‘I am sitting on this mountain as a Durga. My statue is inside this mountain; if you remove it and install it on the hill, you will get back your kingdom.‘ The Pandavas installed the mother’s idol according to the mother’s instructions. Because the mother was found by the Pandavas while hunting for an elusive deer, Shikari Devi is worshipped as the hunter goddess.
Another legend says, that the Pandavas came here during their exile. And to win the war with the Kauravas, they did penance to the hunter goddess here. Maa Durga appeared here after being pleased with the penance of the Pandavas and blessed the Pandavas to be victorious in the war. With the mother’s blessings, the Pandavas were victorious in the war and established the temple of Shikari Devi. But for some reason, they could not complete the work of this temple. Pandavas got a stone statue of Mata installed in this Shikari Devi temple. After that, many people tried to get this temple’s roof made, but no one succeeded. Maa Shikari Devi is still sitting in the form of ‘Pindi’ here.
It is also believed, that Maharishi Markandeya had done hard penance for many years here. Being pleased with his penance, Maa Durga or Shikari Devi appeared and later settled there.
The best time to visit Shikari Devi temple is October to April. The entire region is snow clad between November to March. The nearest airport is at Bhuntar in Kullu district which is 118 kms away. You can visit Shikari Devi temple from Mandi by road transport. The vehicles reach the steps of the temple. There is a one kilometre journey on foot to reach the temple.
Image credits: Photo by Aryan Nikhil on Unsplash, Photo by Aryan Nikhil on Unsplash
