'The Shrikhand View' - A Royal Palace and Grand Heritage site in Sarahan town surrounded by snow covered Himalayan mountain range of Himachal Pradesh

Sarahan town in Shimla is known for popular Bhimakali temple but this town has very interesting history associated. In this blogpost we will share about Rajmahal, which is just behind Bhimakali Temple was one of them. So let's get started with the tour of this beautiful palace which is still maintained pretty well and looks even more beautiful during July/August month when Apple orchards are also full of fruits. 

Architecture of The Shrikhand View Palace is almost similar to one which we saw in Rampur, Shimla.  Wood and beautiful carving on pillars, windows and walls make these palaces look wonderful. The Shrikhand View palace is spread over a huge piece of land and there are multiple buildings spread around apple orchards.  

Usually people know Sarahan because of Bhimakali Temple and folks hardly care about this huge palace just opposite to the temple. Above view caught our attention and these huge houses made us explore possibilities to go there and see. Initially people were hesitant about telling that property belongs to Raja Virbhadra Singh, but gradually we got to know. While having snacks in the market, someone told us that visitors are also allowed inside this the palace. A gentleman guided us through the main gate where we requested the gate-keeper. He allowed us to come inside and see some of these huge buildings of Shrikhand View Palace of Sarahan. 

There is a very well maintained road connecting all Apple orchards & houses on back side of the Bhimakali temple. First we crossed few apple trees on both sides and then there was a gate on right, which is a direct entry for Bhimakali Temple. Bhimakali Temple has two main entries, one is from main market and other is from this Rajmahal campus. If you haven't checked our Photo Journey on Bhimakali Temple, check it out at.

As we moved close to these huge buildings, we noticed that some families were living there. We didn't ask much but it seems, these were families of folks who take care of this whole campus full of Apple Orchards, different buildings and few small temples as well.

At the end of this internal road, there is a huge building which was probably the largest one amongst all. This was named as 'Shrikhand View'. Above photograph shows one of the main gates for this building. Initially we were hesitating to enter inside this building but staff there was quite welcoming and they guided us through the whole building.

There is a huge lawn around this palace and above photograph is clicked from the lawn only. Photograph shows view of hills above the main Rajmahal. The very first photograph of this Photo Journey shows this great lawn with main Rajmahal building in the background.

This whole campus of Royal Palace is surrounded by Pine forests. In fact whole Sarahan town is mainly surrounded by Pine, Apple Trees & lot of other fruit varieties.

Sarahan Palace was also capital of former princely state of Bushair for several centuries. Sarahan is famous for it's legends, hilly architecture, special culture and amazing beauty of nature all around.

Shrikhand View Palace is on hill top and there is a deep valley next to it which ends at Satluj River. One can see snow covered peaks of Shirkhand mountains and that is why one of the main Palace is known as Shirkhand View Palace.

 

Summer capital of Rampur Bushahr which is one of the biggest princely states in the Shimla region is mainly popular for Bhimkali Temple. Sarahan presents striking spectacle of snow-covered Himalayan ranges and a picture of unspoilt pastoral loveliness. 

As this sign board outside The Shrikhand View palace says - It was constructed by H.H. Raja Padam Singh of Bushahr State for his lodging. From this board, it seems royal family started living in this palace from September 2017. As far as I have heard, Raja Virbhadra Singh lives mainly in Shimla with his family and he or his family visit Bushahr, they stay in Rampur. 

The Shrikhand View has a huge campus and many rooms attached to it. It seems, some of the rooms have not been opened for many years. Some of them have very old styled locks and chains.

With its two multi-tiered sanctuary towers, elegantly sloping slate-tiled roofs, and gleaming golden spires, Sarahan Palace & Bhimakali Temple are few of the most majestic of the few early timber architectures left in the Sutlej Valley... This is an area renowned for its unusual tradition of housing holy shrines on raised wooden platforms.

Notice these chains and locks, which are still in use at Sarahan Palace. There are some small temples inside the Palace as well.

These huge seating areas in Placae balconies are really royal.

Bhimakali Temple was made at the order of Raja Shamsher Singh in the mid-nineteenth century. The sanctum also contains a fabulous collection of Hindu as well as Buddhist bronzes.

One of the most interesting structures of the timber-bonded style is Raja Bushahr Palace cum Temple Complex which has been described as one of the finest specimens of hilly architecture. Almost 2000 years old, and like all buildings of the hill type, it is built of layers of rubble masonry and beams of cedar wood.

 A View of Bhimakali Temple from Sarahan Palace and few apple trees can be seen on the foreground.