| Shikari Devi | |
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Snow Capped Mountains of Shikari Devi |
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| Elevation | 3,359 m (11,020 ft) [1] |
| Parent peak | Himalaya |
| Listing | Ultra |
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| Range | Himalaya |
| Coordinates | [1] |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Mandi – Chail Chowk – Janjehli-Shikari Devi = 100 Km (By Car, Bus, Bike) |
Shikari Devi is one of the highest mountains in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The range of Shikari devi borders the district of Mandi. It has an average elevation of 3,359 m above the sea level. Snow tapped mountains, wooded jungles and low flying clouds can be seen all around the place from the peak. Shikari Devi trek is one of its kinds with splendid views of pine and deodar woods, apple orchards and small villages on the way. Shikari Devi mountain range is known for medicinal herbs and a number of other useful plants. It’s a wildlife sanctuary as well. The region is completely pollution free and there are little commercial establishments. Tourists can visit Shikari Devi during peak in summer season only. For more than 6 months, Shikari Devi is covered by a thick layer of snow. Shikari Devi peak witnesses 4-5 feet high snowfall every year.[2]. The woods going towards the temple has assorted trees and shrubs, which include various medicinal herbs. There are two separate trekking routes which take one up to the ancient shrine of the Shikari Devi Temple located at the peak of the hill.
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No one knows the exact reasons of calling this peak as ‘Shikari Devi’. According to the local villagers in the region, hunters used to worship Goddess to succeed in hunting. Initial sthapna or Goddess invocation at this peak was carried out by Pandavas (ref. Mahabharata). Most probably, the name of the temple has originated from the name of the Goddess Shikari Devi. The goddess is idolized in the form of a stone image.
Temple is positioned at a height of 2850 m. Shikari Devi temple is an antique roofless shrine temple. The temple is adorned by the stone idol of Goddess. The roofless shrine is believed to exist since the times of Mahabharata. Legends believes that temple had existed since the period of Pandavas. According to the myth, whenever anyone tried to build a roof on the Shikari Devi Temple, it had been a failure![3]. Several attempts were made to erect a roof over the temple from time to time but in vain. None of such efforts succeeded against the mighty will of Goddess. What is surprising is the fact that the roofless shrine of Shikari Devi has no snow inside it.