Shikari Devi Temple

Shikari Devi Temple is a roofless Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess of Hunters, situated atop Shikari Peak at an altitude of 3,359 meters in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. The highest point in the district, this sacred site is believed to have been established by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era. Visitors reach the temple via jeepable forest roads from Janjehli or Karsog, followed by a short climb. The temple offers panoramic mountain views and remains open to the sky despite several attempts to construct a roof.

Visitors can expect a remote mountain temple experience at high altitude with thick deodar and pine forests surrounding the approach. The temple itself is a unique roofless structure with stone walls, housing a stone idol of Shikari Devi. Access involves driving on a forest road to a parking area, then climbing 600-700 stairs to reach the temple. The site offers 360-degree views of surrounding valleys and mountains when weather permits. Facilities are basic, and the area experiences harsh winter conditions with heavy snowfall.

The temple is believed to have been established by the Pandavas during their exile in the Mahabharata era. It has existed since ancient times and holds significance as a sacred site for hunters who traditionally prayed to the goddess for protection and success.

Shikari Devi is revered as the Goddess of Hunters in local tradition. The temple represents an important religious site for devotees in the Seraj region. Local lore maintains that despite multiple attempts to build a roof, the temple remains open to the sky, which is considered part of its divine character.