The open temple of Shikari Devi, located at the highest peak of Mandi district at an altitude of 10,768 feet, is visited by thousands of devotees from different parts of the country and also by nature lovers and hikers from across the world. The shortest and easiest route to the temple is through the most panoramic and captivating Janjehli Valley of Mandi district.
Sixteen kilometers from Janjehli is located the open temple of Shikari Devi at the height of 10,768 ft from the sea level, the highest peak of Mandi district. This is negotiated by the only better route to the temple. It passes through the mystical valleys weaving its way through the sprawling green pastures, dark green forests mostly of pine and deodar, meadows, small waterfalls, variety of rare herbs and wild flowers surcharging the surroundings with rare fragrance. Many claim that there may not be any parallel to these mystic vales of Himachal Pradesh in any part of the globe.
Only 3 kilometers from Janjehli is a wonder rock known as Pandav Shilla said to be placed there by Bhima. The mystery of this massive rock is that it can be shaken with the smallest finger, but will not waver with full force of both hands. Tourists are surprised after verifying it.
In the months of rainy season, the valley in enveloped in a big ball of mist when hot and cold winds embrace each other. Farmers of the lower heights bring their cattle and shepherds their herds for grazing in the green pastures of the valley. Shikari Devi is said to be the Goddess of hunters and believed to protect them. This is why it is known as Shikari Devi.
Ironically, a narrow forest road fractured by potholes is in a very bad and abysmal state. A beautiful Forest Rest House at a lush green hill top at Janjehli had been booked through the good offices of Conservator, Mandi. As we headed towards the bungalow our new car was struck in a culvert over a stream. It was getting dark. We were panicked fearing if the car was not retrieved, heavy rain overnight may wash it away. Fortunately local people rushed to help us and car was safely taken out. We passed the night in a hotel.
In the morning we set out for Shikari Devi through a 16-km long serpentine forest road which is in a very bad and abysmal state. But it passed through the beautiful Shikari Devi wildlife sanctuary. We found hundreds of vehicles parked along the road side spreading sheets along the waterfalls, pastures and meadows enjoying the beauty of nature along with families and children.
At last we reached at the feet of the Goddess Shikari Devi from where we had to negotiate over 500 stairs to reach the top where the statutes of the Goddress Shikari Devi are said to have been established by the Pandavas during their exile.
On reaching the top, fatigue of tough and arduous journey vanishes as the fragrant soothing winds passing through lush green forests and herbs greeted us.
The devotees residing in the reasonably good inns overnight related their pleasant experience. The surrounding mountains abound in invaluable herbs and forests present a pleasant scene. In the night the starry sky appears to have fallen on the feet of the Goddess. The mystic herbs glitter around the mountains amidst soft sheering sound of the forests.
It is noteworthy that the totally neglected and unharnessed green valleys of one of the most mesmerizing hill State of Himachal Pradesh had, for decades been destroying its invaluable forest wealth, which had been the only source of income of the State till it attained full Statehood.
As a Union Territory, the bureaucrats, with vested interests of their native States, had been exploiting the poor highlanders with shameless impunity.
Gigantic hydel power projects were built on the territory of Himachal Pradesh like Bhakhra Dam, Beas-Sutlej link Project and Pong Dam, for the construction of which the people of the backward hill State were rendered homeless and landless. The drinking water and irrigation sources down in the valleys were dried up. The displaced persons by the BBMB are still languishing unsettled.
The mighty river Beas flowing since centuries was dried up by diverting its water through 48 km long water conductor system comprising two tunnels and open hydel channel intercepted by a reservoir at Sundernagar without giving any compensation to the affected people of the backward hill state. The fall was utilised for power generation at 990 MW Dehar Power House in Mandi district.
These projects were financed by the Union Government in the shape of loans and grants. No investment was made by the so-called beneficiary States. However, the huge daily income running into crores of rupees accruing from these mega projects went to the three States of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan maliciously and viciously branded as “beneficiary States”.
At long last the Supreme Court had delivered partial justice to the backward hill State, but many legal hurdles are still being created for the implementation of the decision of the Apex court by the politically powerful beneficiary States in the implementation of the judgment of the Apex court for the last many years.
Had Himachal Pradesh been delivered justice and given its legitimate share, it would have emerged as one of the world’s best tourist destinations by now. Its immense and enormous tourism and hydel power potential have remained unharnessed even after seven decades of independence. Harnessing of hydel power and tourism alone could have gone a long way in making the hill State as one of the most prosperous States of India.