Shrikhand Mahadev is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places in Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its spiritual value, natural beauty, and tough trekking route. A height of about 18,570 feet (5,654 m), the holy Shivalinga of Lord Shiva. It stands tall and attracts thousands of devotees and adventure lovers every year. This yatra is compared with the Amarnath Yatra and Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Because of its religious importance and the level of difficulty. If you are planning to take this divine journey, here is a simple travel guide for you
How to Reach Srikhand Mahadev Kailash
You can reach Srikhand Mahadev Kailash as per your budget. You can travel by train, flight, or road. Whether you want to keep it low-budget or travel with more comfort, you can plan the yatra in a way that suits you best
By Air:
The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport (also known as Kullu–Manali Airport). Which is around 160 km away from Jaon village, the starting point of the Srikhand Mahadev Yatra. From Bhuntar, you can easily get a taxi or a local bus. The route usually goes through Rampur, Nirmand, and Bagipul before finally reaching Jaon.
By Train:
The nearest railway station is Shimla Railway Station (a narrow-gauge line). Which is about 170 km from Jaon village. However, for better connectivity with major cities. Chandigarh Railway Station is a more convenient option, located around 250 km away. From both Shimla and Chandigarh, you can find buses or hire a taxi to reach Jaon, passing through Rampur, Nirmand, and Bagipul on the way.
By Road:
The Srikhand Mahadev Yatra begins from Jaon village, which is in Ani Tehsil of Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh. To reach Jaon, you can travel by road through different routes depending on where you start your journey.
From Shimla: The route goes through Shimla → Narkanda → Rampur → Nirmand → Bagipul → Jaon. The distance is about 180 km and usually takes 7–8 hours by road.
From Delhi/Chandigarh: If you are coming from Delhi or Chandigarh, the route is Delhi → Chandigarh → Shimla → Rampur → Nirmand → Bagipul → Jaon. This route is around 500 km and can take 12–14 hours by road.
The journey itself is scenic, with winding mountain roads, pine forests, and views of the Sutlej River, which make the long travel part of the adventure.
Trekking Route & Difficulty:
- Total Trek Distance: The trek is about 32–35 km one way, which means you’ll cover almost 70 km in total (going and coming back). It may sound short, but the steep climbs and high altitude make every step challenging.
- Duration: Most yatris take around 7–9 days to complete the journey. This includes climbing up to the peak, resting at different campsites, and then returning safely. If you’re fit and experienced, you might do it faster, but for most people, slow and steady is the best way.
- Difficulty Level: This trek is considered one of the toughest pilgrimages in India. You will face:
- Very steep climbs that test your stamina.
- Slippery glaciers and snow patches where walking carefully is a must.
- Rocky and uneven paths that can be exhausting.
- High altitude (over 18,000 feet), where breathing becomes harder and weather can change suddenly.
- Why It’s Worth It: Even though it’s tough, the trek is full of breathtaking views — dense forests, wildflowers, gushing streams, and snow-covered mountains. The spiritual energy and the final darshan (sighting) of the huge Shivling at Srikhand Mahadev make all the effort feel worthwhile.
Day-wise Route (Common Path):
Day 1: Jaon → Singhad (3 km)
- The journey starts from Jaon village, where you complete your registration and medical check-up.
- The first stretch is a short 3 km walk to Singhad, which feels easy compared to what’s ahead.
- At Singhad, there are langars (community kitchens) offering free food, and most people camp here for the night. It’s a calm spot with the sound of the river flowing nearby.
Day 2: Singhad → Thachru (12 km)
- This is one of the hardest climbs of the entire yatra.
- The trail goes straight up through dense, green forests, and it feels almost endless.
- The steep climb can take 6–8 hours depending on your stamina.
- When you finally reach Thachru, you’re greeted by open meadows with fresh mountain air and beautiful views. It feels like nature is rewarding you after the struggle.
Day 3: Thachru → Kali Ghati → Bhim Talai (7 km)
The route from Thachru to Kali Ghati is breathtaking.You’ll walk through rolling meadows with flowers and see wide views of the surrounding mountains.Kali Ghati is a famous point where many trekkers stop for rest and prayers.From here, the trail goes down slightly and leads you to Bhim Talai, a peaceful camping site surrounded by hills.
Day 4: Bhim Talai → Kunsha → Bheem Dwar (8 km)
The trail gets tougher, with rocky terrain and small streams crossing the path.The landscape becomes more rugged, showing you that you’re entering high-altitude terrain.After passing Kunsha, you’ll reach Bheem Dwar, a natural cave-like camping area.Bheem Dwar is full of spiritual vibes — many believe this is where the Pandavas stayed during their journey to the Himalayas.
Day 5: Bheem Dwar → Parvati Bagh → Nain Sarovar (5 km)
- This part of the trek is full of natural beauty.
- At Parvati Bagh, you’ll see rare alpine flowers blooming in bright colors.
- Soon after, you’ll reach Nain Sarovar, a sacred glacial lake. The lake is said to be created by Goddess Parvati’s tears, and pilgrims often take a holy dip here.
- Camping here is an unforgettable experience, though nights can be extremely cold.
Day 6: Nain Sarovar → Srikhand Mahadev (7 km)
- This is the final and toughest climb of the yatra.
- The trail is very steep, with glaciers, snow patches, and sharp rocky ridges.
- After hours of struggle, you finally reach the massive natural Shivling of Lord Shiva, standing tall at about 72 feet high.
- The spiritual energy here is beyond words — many pilgrims feel emotional and blessed to finally have darshan after such a tough journey.
Night Camping on the Trek:
Since the yatra takes several days, and trekkers stay in temporary camps set up along the route. These camps are simple but provide the basic facilities you need to survive the tough journey.
Types of Camps
- Langar Camps – Run by religious groups and volunteers, offering free food (dal, rice, roti, tea) and sometimes bedding.
- Tent Camps – Pilgrims carry their own tents or rent them. Some organizers set up large shared tents for yatris.
- Natural Shelters – Places like Bheem Dwar and caves where pilgrims rest if tents are full.
What It Feels Like
Nights are very cold. Even in July–August. Temperatures can drop to 0–5°C.The camps are full of chanting, bhajans, and stories of Lord Shiva, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.Looking up, you’ll see a sky full of stars — something you’ll never forget.
The Final Ascent – Meeting Shrikhand Mahadev
After days of walking through forests, crossing glaciers, and climbing tough rocky paths. I finally reached the last stretch. My legs were heavy, my breath was short. But something stronger than my tiredness pushed me forward, faith. With every step, I kept whispering “Om Namah Shivaya,” just like the other pilgrims around me.
And then, the moment came.
Through the clouds, I saw it for the first time. The mighty Shivling of Shrikhand Mahadev. It wasn’t just a rock, it felt alive, like a presence watching over the world. Standing tall against the open sky at 18,570 feet, it was so powerful that for a moment I forgot all the pain of the journey.
The wind was freezing, yet it felt welcoming. The sound of bells tied by pilgrims mixed with chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” and the snow-covered peaks around me glowed golden in the morning sun. Clouds floated below my feet, and it truly felt like standing at the doors of heaven.
My eyes filled with tears, not from tiredness, but from the feeling of being so close to something divine. This journey was not just about climbing a mountain; it was about letting go of fear, ego, and doubt. Standing there, I felt small in front of the mountains, yet deeply connected—to nature, to the world, and to Lord Shiva.
The Shivling, rising more than 75 feet high, looked like an eternal guardian of time. It didn’t just stand there it seemed to breathe, to shine, to remind me why I had come all this way.
Up there, the sky felt nearer, the earth felt purer, and time seemed to stop. In that moment, I wasn’t just seeing Shrikhand Mahadev, I was feeling Him.
Some things cannot be captured in photos or words. You don’t just see Shrikhand Kailash, you live it.
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