Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra History & Trek Cost

Shrikhand Kailash Mahadev is a holy pilgrimage. This place is related to the Hindu Lord Shiva and is one of the five Kailash. The devotees reach here by walking on the very intense path which is 5140m from the sea level. Lord Shiva is situated here in the form of fragmented ‘Shivling’. On the right side of this mountain, there is ‘Kinnar Kailash’ and on the left direction, this mountain is associated with ‘Great Himalayan National Park’. It will be interesting for you to know that Shrikhand Mahadev can be reached in 6 different ways. Before getting information about these six different ways, let’s have a look at the mythological significance of Shrikhand Mahadev.

Mythological Importance of Shrikhand Mahadev

The mythology of Shreekhand Mahadev is that the Devil Bhasmasur asked for a boon from Lord Shiva that whatever he keeps his hand on, that will be converted into Ashes. After getting the boon, Bhasampur determined to marry Devi Parvati. Therefore, Bhasampur planned to place his hand on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva reached Srikhand by entering the Devdhakkha cave in Nirmand place and was restored as Shrikhand Shila. Then Lord Vishnu disguised himself as Mata Parvati to destroy Bhasmasur’s intention. She persuaded Bhasmasur to dance with him. During the dance, Bhasmasur put his hand on his head and was converted into Ashes.

After the end of Bhasmasur, when Lord Shiva did not come out of Shilakhandi rock, then Ganesh, Karthikeyan and Maa Parvati came to this place, then Mahadev came out after breaking the rock.

Shrikhand Mahadev is a 72ft high fragmented Shivling. Each year, this holy place is officially open for just 2 weeks during Sawan Mas. Since the year 2014, the journey has gone in the hands of the administration, under which all the travel registration of passengers is done in Sinhgad. The online process has not started yet for registration.

Two main routes have been used mainly to reach Shrikhand Mahadev, but some travelers will be aware of the third way. But the real truth is that Shrikhand Mahadev can be reached from 6 different routes, which we will explain below:

The first route to reach Srikhand: Nirmand – Baggul – Jao

Would you believe that this is the easiest way to reach Shrikhand Mahadev. All the people who have seen the vision of Shrikhand through this path know how easy it is, but if you compare it with other paths, then it is the only way you can feel comfortable.

This journey starts from Jao village the distance of Shreekhand Mahadevis approximately 25.5 km from Jao village. 1949 m above sea level. Located on and the distance of Shrikhand Mahadev 5140m is. On this route of journey offline registration of each passenger is done in Sinhgad.

Travelers officially get a variety of assistance in the journey, such as medical assistance, search and rescue, local police and free food and lodging in many places. Due to the narrow width of the path, and the constant climbing, mules, and horses are not available on this route yet. Over the past few years, local boys have grabbed the opportunity to earn extra income by becoming Porter and Guide in this route.

How to reach Jao:

The road distance from Delhi to Shimla is about 350 km and the distance of Dattnagar from Shimla to 125 km. The passengers can reach Dattnagar after traveling about 12 hours from the Volvo or Ordinary bus from Delhi. Every day from Dattanagar, the government bus goes to Baggipul, which costs Rs 50-60 per person. The distance of Baggipul from Dattanagar is about 41 km. The distance between Jao and Baggipul is only 7 km. All types of bus services are limited to Baggipul only. To go from Baghipul, you have to book local taxis, which will cost Rs 100-150.

On this route, you can visit many temples like Nirvana Shiva cave, seven temples in Nirand, Nine gods including Mata Parvati in Jao, Parashuram temple, Hanuman temple.

Where to stay in the 1st Route: There is a facility of free stay and food for passengers on many places till Parvati Bagh. Free Food arrangements are ensured in Nirmand, Jao, Sinhagad, Thachadu, and Bhima Duari. There is also a free lodging facility for travelers in Nirmand, Jao and Sinhagad. Due to limited tents in Thachadu and Bhima Duari, accommodation is provided based on ‘first come first serve’. In addition to free accommodation, Private tents and paid food services are also available on this 1st Route of Shrikhand Mahadev.

Availability of mobile network: On this remote route, there is a network in almost all the places except the Black Valley (Kali Ghati). BSNL, Airtel, and Idea have a network in this area. If your phone is charged up then it is possible to talk to your family from Sonegaon, Khumba Duaar, Thatti Beel, Thachadu, Kali Top.
After the Kali Ghatti, there is no network but it is interesting that the network is available on the Bhim Bahi. Keep in mind that the mobile network relies on bad weather and try to keep the power bank with the mobile.

The second route to reach Shrikhand: Jury – Fancha

With 5373 m heights, the distance of this Route from Fancha is about 18 km.
Ganavi village is situated on the mouth of this valley, due to which this valley is also called ‘Ganavi Valley’ in the local language. Jury is at 1381 m from the sea level and is located on this route and starts from here. Direct climbing and frozen ice make this route extremely tough.
On this route to reach Shreekhand, there is no facility other than the cottages, which makes it more difficult.

How to reach: The distance by motorcycle of Jury from Rampur is 25 km. The road from Jury to Fancha is worth traveling by Vehicle and is 15 km. Fancha is 2214 m above sea level and being a village, all living and eating facilities are available here. There is also the British-made Forest Rest house in Fancha where there are 2 rooms with 4 beds.

Information about Fancha: This second path to reach Shrikhand Mahadev starts with the jury, which is mainly used by local residents of Sarahan and Jury. Let us take a look at some places located on this route where the passengers can stay.

Fancha: After jury, Fancha is the first place in this route where lodging facilities are available. This place is about 15 km from Jury. The distance from Shrikhand to Fancha is 18 km.

Fancha Kanda: After Fancha, the next location is Fancha Kanda, which is 3 km from the Phaka. It is located at the height of 2450m. Here travelers can see some of Himachali residents in the monsoon. If there is any doubt in the way of the road, information about Shrikhand Mahadev Marg can be obtained from these people.

Spava: The next station after Fanta Kanda is Spava. The way you go around the corridors of dense forests. The distance of the spava from Fancha Kanda is around 5 and the place is 3287 m from sea level.

Majbon: Majbon is about 6.5 km from Spava and is at the height of 4000 m. Is around and small boulders are scattered throughout this way. It would be better to call this place rock garden.

Bhim Bahi – Shrikhand Mahadev: Walking from Majbo, this path goes to Bhima Bahi. There is a sharp climb and the passengers have to face standing glaciers also. Due to the frozen ice ahead of this place, travelers may have to face the problem in finding the way. The height of Bhima Bhee is 4890 m. and about 3 km from Majbon. Walking on this route is a good test of shoes.

The third route to reach Shreekhand: Banjar-Badahad

Reaching Shrikhand Mahadev from Banjar-Badahad is much easier than the other two ways. This route has also been used primarily by locals. There is no information of any kind on the internet about this Route. Keep in mind that there is no facility of any kind on this path, so passengers will have to take the tents, sleeping bags and food items themselves, as well as locals, can also help you in this matter if they are available.

How to reach Badahad:

The easiest and shortest way to reach Badahad from Shimla is through the NH-5 / NH-305 whose vehicle’s distance is 191 km.
Banjara can also be reached from Kullu which is only 40 km away. That’s it. The driving distance from Banjar to Badahad is 19 km is. Banjar is located at the height of 1356 m and Badahad is at 2050m.

Information about Badahad Road: Badahad village is located at height of 2050 m from the sea level. This is where the journey begins. The first stop of this journey comes at the origin of the river Falacha, where the temple of GodFalach is also located.

The second day the journey begins early in the morning. This day begins with a sharp climb, under which after walking 2-3 km the height increase to 650 m.

On the third day, devotees quickly visit Bhim Dauri and visit Lord Mahadev. So this was the information about the third path to reaching Shrikhand Mahadev.

Fourth route to reach Shrikhand: Gushyeni-Banayag Marg

The fourth route to reach Shrikhand Mahadev goes from Gushyeni. This route is one of the dangerous route. The dangers of this route can be estimated from the fact that this path leads you directly to the base of the Kartik Swami Mountains which is 5100 m high. From Kartik Swami, the route raises the ‘Vimti Passenger’ from the back of Shrikhand Mountain. By this route, Shreekhand Mahadev will not be a journey but a mountain campaign.

There is a good road worth traveling by Vehicle till Gusheni. Banjar is about 10 km away from Gusheni.

Gusheni route leads along with ‘Tirthan river’ flowing in ‘Tirthan valley’. The route reaches the crossing of many villages where the Tirthan river takes the form of a bayalag glacier.

This route is also part of the ‘Great Himalayan National Park’ as well as the Tirthan Valley. There are 11 hidden lakes on the glacier beyond ‘Baniyag’.
On the online maps, 11 lakes can be seen with Baniyang Glacier.

The fifth route to reach Srikhand: Jhakdi – Shreekhand Mahadev

Another route is situated between Nirmand and Jury by which the Shreekhand Mahadev can be reached. The fifth route to reach the place of Shrikhand Mahadev leaves from Jhakdi which is 1181 m from sea level. According to locals, this road is even more difficult than Fancha road. So it is advisable not to travel through this route.

The sixth way to reach Shrikhand Mahadev:

Kheerganga – Shrikhand Marg – The sixth route to reach Shrikhand Mahadev starts from Kheeraganga. Over time, this route has been buried under the glaciers. There is not much information available about this route but some information is written on a board “

The route from Shrikhand runs towards Kheerganga and Manikarna but the route is very difficult and full of glaciers.