01The hunters’ Devi
The name means the Devi of the hunt. The local katha says that the Pandavas, in exile, followed a deer up this ridge and found the Devi waiting at the top. She had led them there. They raised a shrine to her, and the hunters of the hills afterwards prayed to her before going after game. Many attempts have been made to put a roof over the stone murtis, and every one has failed; the people of Seraj take that as her own wish, and leave her open to the sky.
02Up from Janjehli
The road now reaches close to the top from Janjehli, and the old foot trails come up through oak and deodar from Karsog and Chindi. Pilgrims arrive in the season from April to October, most of all in the Navratris of Chaitra and at the summer fairs. From the summit the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges line the horizon. The forest below is the Shikari Devi wildlife sanctuary.
Open roughly April to October. Janjehli, about 70 km from Mandi, is the usual base; the last stretch is a short climb. Carry warm clothes even in June.
