Shrikhand Kailash

Introduction 

• What is Shrikhand Kailash

Shrikhand Kailash is a mountain peak, a Hindu Pilgrimage site at the height of 17150 ft above sea level in Nirmand region, district Kullu, Himachal Pradesh India.

31°39’34.6″N 77°38’44.0″E

 

Shrikhand Kailash also known as Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash or widely known as Shrikhand Mahadev is third in the terms of importance in a series of mountain peaks collectively known as Panch Kailash in the Himalayas. 

Mount Kailash or Kailash Mansarovar and Adi Kailash, are first and second, and Kinner Kailash and Mani Mahesh Kailash are fourth and fifth in terms of importance.

• Where Shrikhand Mahadev is located

Shrikhand Mahadev is located in the Nirmand region of the Kullu district in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, India. 31°39’34.6″N 77°38’44.0″E

• Shrikhand Mahadev altitude

 

S.NO.	Name	Altitude
		Meters	Feets
1	Shrikhand Mahadev	5227	17150
2	Nain Sarovar	4429	14530
3	Parvati Bagh/Bheem Dwar	4164	13660
4	Kunsha campsite	3719	12200
5	Thachru campsite	3450	11320
6	Jaon village	1951	6400

Shrikhand Mahadev yatra

• When Shrikhand Mahadev yatra starts

Shrikhand Mahadev’s yatra usually takes place around mid July to mid August.

In 2024 the Shrikhand Mahadev yatra started on 14 July and ended on 27 July.

The whole official climbing season wrapped up in just the span of two weeks only. There are several reasons some of them are:-

• High elevation

Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra happens for a very short time due to its high elevation and difficult terrain. The mountaintop where the Shivling is situated is a highly sensitive area and is known to have loads of snow and a very thick layer of ice which makes the situation very dangerous to walk.

• Long stretches and Steep slope

The stretch between Singhaad to Thachru is around a 60 to 70-degree slope for 12 km in the rain it feels like walking on glass with oil poured on it. 

• Stone pelting, moraine, and harsh environment

Parvati Bagh and Bheem Dwar are a high altitude and at the same time highly stone pelting zone which is not recommended to trek or stay in the rainy season.

• The best time to visit

The best time to visit is when the snow from the season has melted down and fresh hasn’t come yet, the time that usually meets the conditions is somewhat around the end of July and starting of August. 

Although the weather and these conditions are unpredictable, I would say that one cannot visit the abode of lord Shiva without his invitation. 

• How to reach

The Jaon village which acts as a base camp for the pilgrims is in Nirmand the region of Kullu district in the east Himachal Pradesh near Rampur. 

The best route short and very well connected to the transportation is via Shimla. 

In Jaon village pilgrims can get their documentation and medical done and then start their trek.

• Accessibility

Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash is accessible by every mode of transportation here is the short detail of the nearest Airport, Railway station, and bus station.

• Airport – The nearest Airport is Bhuntar which is only around 170 km from Jaon village. There are loads of cabs, shared taxis, and cabs available here for Shrikhand Mahadev.
• Railway station – The nearest railway station is Shimla which is only 145 away. You can hire cabs for Shrikhand Kailash from Shimla. Government buses are also available from Isbt Shimla up to Rampur which is 130 km and for the last 15 km, you can take the easily available shared taxi to Jaon village.
• Bus station – There are various options if you are planning the road trip first and the most pocket-friendly is by the Government buses. The nearest bus station is Rampur. There are many bus services for Shimla, Chandigarh, and Delhi direct from Rampur bus station.
• Bike ride – This is the most adventurous mode of travel and my personal favorite. The curvy Himalayan roads of Himachal Pradesh, breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains, and the feeling of chilled breeze on the route to Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash are unparalleled. 

The freedom of your own itinerary and time stamp, no boundation of waiting for buses, trains, or flights, and no worry of keeping up with them are second to none.

Shrikhand Kailash is a high-elevation mountain peak thus the weather conditions are very harsh here and affect the peak area very often but the officials and the locals know the place very well and guides always take care of pilgrims and trekkers.

Pony and Horses are available for those who cannot trek but frankly not recommended. 

Jaon village is well connected to the transport services and is accessible from almost every big and small city and town.

 

• Distances of Jaon village from the main cities

Delhi                                           500 km

Chandigarh                                260 km

Shimla                                         145 km

Bhuntar(Kullu Airport)           170 km

• Route for Shrikhand Kailash

We’ll consider Our country capital Delhi as a starting point.

• Air – Delhi Airport – Bhuntar Airport – Jibhi – Rampur – Nirmand – Jaon(trek starts here) – Singhgad – Thachru – Parvati Bagh – Shrikhand Kailash
• Train – Delhi – Chandigarh – Kalka – Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur – Nirmand – Jaon(trek starts here) – Singhgad – Thachru – Parvati Bagh – Shrikhand Kailash

• Bus – Delhi – Ambala – Chandigarh – Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur – Nirmand – Jaon(trek starts here) – Singhgad – Thachru – Parvati Bagh – Shrikhand Kailash
• Bike – Delhi – Ambala – Jirakpur – Panchkula – Shimla – Narkanda – Rampur – Nirmand – Jaon(trek starts here) – Singhgad – Thachru – Parvati Bagh – Shrikhand Kailash

 

• Who can go to Shrikhand Mahadev

It is an open pilgrimage site, anyone who can climb and can tolerate or tackle the high altitude complications such as lack of oxygen levels, headache, and nausea can go on the Shrikhand Mahedev trek. 

Here are some things to consider before going

How to prepare for Shrikhand Mahadev – This trek is difficult to moderate, with high altitudes and long stretches. So it is recommended that you should prepare accordingly. Actually, you should also read the article of India Hikes on how to prepare for Shrikhand Mahadev. 

1. Start jogging at least 1 to 2 months prior. Benchmark is 5 km in 25 minutes.
2. Keep an eye on your cardiovascular health and breathing and try to regulate them.
3. Do some strength training as well, because you would have to carry your basic luggage(water, rain gear, basic medicine, phone or camera maybe). Strength training like squats, plank, and pushups.
4. Stretching the hamstrings, quadriceps, back, and shoulder regularly can prevent strain and sprain on the trek due to the long distances.  

Medical certificate – You have to carry your medical certificate and get yourself checked again at Singhgad campsite, and it is recommended that you should not trek if you are not fit. Most trek-organizing companies have this rule and a medical certificate is mandatory.

Registration – You have to register yourself to visit Shrikhand Kailash or the officials may get you deported from any base camp. You can register for the yatra on the official Himachal Pradesh portal, the fee to register is only 250 rs per person.

Shrikhand mahadev trek

• Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Visit Katyayani mata temple and Trek from Jaon(6400 ft) to Singhgad (6873 ft)

Day 2: Singhgad (6873 ft) to Thachru (11320 ft)

Day 3: Thachru (11320 ft) to Kunsha (12200 ft)

Day 4: Kunsha (12200 ft) to Parvati Baag (13660 ft)

Day 5: Parvati Baag (13660 ft) to Shrikhand Kailash (17150 ft); return to Bhimdwaar/Parvati Baag

Day 6: Bhimdwaar/Parvati Baag (13,660 ft) to Jaon (11,320 ft)

• How difficult Shrikhand Mahadev trek is

The trek of Shrikhand Kailash is categorised as moderate to difficult by some of the well-known trekking companies(my personal favorite but I am not promoting it “India hikes”) and professional hikers. This is a high-elevation trek that gains more than 10000 ft in five days of trekking. 

 

• How long Shrikhand Kailash trek is

The trek of Shrikhand Kailash starts from Jaon village(6397) and gains around 10755 ft in 32 km to the Shrikhand Mahadev peak(17150 ft).

 

• Shrikhand Mahadev trek opening

Officials of the Shrikhand Mahadev committee in Himachal Pradesh decide and declare the time for the opening of the yatra which depends upon weather and snow on the path and on the mountain peak area. Usually, the ideal time is around the end of July.

The yatra starts from the Purnima(full Moon) of July to the Purnima(full Moon) of August.

Shrikhand Mahadev Weather

• Summer – The summer season is April to June but the condition is not suitable for trekking because the ice and snow of previous winter starts melting and creates slush on the path.

• Winter – From November to February is the winter season when the snowfall and chilly weather are at their peak making the environment harsh and impossible to climb even for the locals and professional trekkers. 

• Rain – Rain usually pours in June and July mainly although the mountains are known to have unpredictable rain that can fall at any time throughout the year but June and July are more prone to rain.

While July and August are the only time for the yatra to happen when the snow of last season has been washed away in the rain and fresh snow hasn’t come yet.

 

• Spring – February to March is the spring season but due to the high altitude it snows here just like the winters.

 

Why Shrikhand Mahadev is famous

There are so many reasons why the Shrikhand Mahadev is famous, I will not be able to explain them all. Some of them you already may know, but here are a few.

Spiritual significance – Shrikhand Mahadev holds immense spiritual value in the Hindu dharma as the abode of lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

One of the Panch Kailash –  Shrikhand Mahadev is one of the Panch Kailash series along with Kailash Mansarovar, Adi Kailash, Kinner Kailash, and Mani Mahesh Kailash.

Toughest Kailash –  Shrikhand Mahadev is the toughest trek and hardest to reach among the Panch Kailash.

72-foot-high Shivalinga – There is a 72-foot-high Shivalinga on the top of the mountain at 17150 ft above sea level. 

It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated for a long time after getting disturbed by Bhasmasur’s treachery on this 72 ft Shivalinga.

One of the hardest treks – This trek also attracts so many tourists and trekkers because of the challenge it poses to the hikers and trekkers. Shrikhand Mahadev offers one of the highest altitude treks in India which is widely open for everyone.  

History of Shrikhand Mahadev

• Bhasmasur Story

In the Vaidik times (Satyug) there was a rakshas named “BHASMASUR” who did very hard penance and got a boon from lord Shiva that if he places his hand on anyone’s head he/she would burn immediately.

After getting the boon he went on trying it on lord Shiva to test the boon. Lord Vishnu came in the form of a “MOHINI” and hypnotised Bhasmasur with his tremendous singing and dancing that Bhasmasur started dancing with her, forgot about the boon, put his hand on his own head while dancing, and died right there.

But Lord Shiva got disturbed by the feeling of giving the boon to the wrong person and then he disappeared from there and hid in the area for a long time to meditate.

• Demon King Ravan Story – The Shrikhand word was made out by adding two words Sir Khandan, Sir Means Head, and Khandan means rebuttal or dissection. There is a story about Ravan that once demon king Ravan did a penance here and cut off his own head as an offering to please the lord Shiva and this is how he got the boon of conditional immortality.

Significance and importance of Shrikhand Kailash

There are several Geographical and natural properties as well as the spirituality that Shrikhand Kailash Holds which play a significant role in the importance of this mountain.

One Of Panch Kailash – In Hindu dharma the Panch Kailash is considered to be the abodes of Lord Shiva and Shrikhand is one of the Panch Kailash. Present in various old scriptures and folk tales throughout the time.

Glaciers and River – The pilgrimage of Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash starts from Jaon village which is a small village in the Kullu district situated on the right bank of rivulet Kurpan. This rivulet Kurpan starts from the unnamed glaciers in Shrikhand Mahadev’s Mountain range. This is a small but very important river for the area especially for the local apple orchard farmers.

Tourism – The Jaon village is a very small mountain village with only around 50 houses in total, and there is a place named Baagi Pul 8 km before Jaon village. This 8 km stretch is unmetalled and not easy to reach, the Jaon village is also a kind of dead-end of the road.

So if it was not for Shrikhand Mahadev’s yatra that happens here every year, the area would be miserable and could be escapade like most of the small mountain villages.

This is why Shrikhand Kailash not only provides an unmatched experience to tourists but also a way of income for the local porters, guides, shopkeepers, and everyone else.

• Shrikhand Kailash and Kinner Kailash 

Shrikhand Kailash is situated in the Nirmand region of Kullu district.

Kinner Kailash is situated in the Kalpa region of the Kinnaur District

Shrikhand Kailash and Kinner Kailash are different but both are situated in Himachal Pradesh and are very close to each other.

Shrikhand Kailash is related to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu’s Mohini form, and Demon Bhasmasur.

While

The Kinner Kailash peak or area is believed to be the resting abode of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. The Kinner tribe, who reside in Kinnaur, were honoured by having the mountain named after them “Kinner Kailash”.

The term “Kinner” has various mythical meanings associated with it and has been mentioned in various pieces of literature, including the Shiv Purana, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Ramayan, and Rajtaringini. This collection of epics honours the Kinners as a distinctive clan of demi-gods who stand halfway between mortals and gods.

 

• Shrikhand Kailash Bheem Dwar red water

There is a place in the Shrikhand Kailash trek named Bheem Dwar it is believed that Bheem Killed Bakasur Rakshas here when the Pandavas were living in the “EKACHAKRA”(an old city). Hence the water still is red here because of that Rakhsas’s blood.

• Shrikhand Kailash bakasur vadh

Bakasur was a Rakshas who lived here in Mahabharat time, He used to kill and eat the people he could find. The people of the whole area and valley were so terrified of him that they decided to leave their homes. 

Pandavas were living here when they fled from the Lakshagrah (the Burning house) when their mother (Kunti) found out about the Bakasur she ordered Bheem to kill him.

Bheem the second Pandav brother killed Bakasur and saved the people of the valley, that’s why the water that flows from this area is red.

Conclusion 

Shrikhand Mahadev or Shrikhand Kailash is a mountain that is a spiritual pillar for believers and an ultimate destination for adventure seekers, who are looking for an offbeat, beautiful, nature wonder that offers a challenge in a good way and also emits the positive energy that lasts for a lifetime.

Feel the mountain trek that gets you to visit the old Vaidik times like a time capsule.

Feel free to comment on anything that you want me to fix or improve.