Janjehli valley

The Janjehli valley in the interior of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh.

A Very Very Happy New Year!

THE journey to Janjehli, a little village in the Himalayas is an enchanting and fascinating experience. Situated at a height of 2150 metres in Thunag tehsil, Mandi district, Janjehli is a trekker’s paradise. With no frills of modernity here, it is a refreshing break from routine and packaged holidays.

From Shimla, Janjehli can be approached via Karsog. It lies 85 km from Mandi. After passing Chail Chowk, you come across a village called Bagsiad, which is considered a gateway to the Janjehli valley.

Janjehli, with its lush green meadows surrounded by lofty pines and deodars and a rivulet presents an enchanting view. On the left side of the village are orchards. There are two guesthouses there, one belonging to the H.P. Forest Department and other to the P.W.D. Locals say that Britishers were so fascinated by Janjehli that they had thought of making it the summer capital instead of Shimla. A British officer had approached the Raja of Janjehli for seeking permission to make it their summer capital. The king, however, turned down their request. Janjehli’s height of 2150 metres makes it an ideal summer retreat. Apart from providing some excellent souvenirs like seraji pulas made of hemp and household wares made of walnut wood, it is also famous for its honey.

Twelve-kilometres from Janjehli is Shikari Devi, famous for its roofless temple, the only one of its kind in northern India. A peculiar aspect of this temple is that it has remained roofless in spite of numerous attempts made by the locals to construct a roof. Locals attribute this phenomenon to some unseen spiritual force.

Janjehli offers interesting one-day treks.You can undertake a 16-km trek from Janjehli to Karsog. It can be covered in about eight hours. About 6-km from Janjehli, you come across Bulah, an open ground with lush green meadows. It looks strikingly similar to Gulmarg. On your way you will come across a number of natural springs. After Bulah, the next stop is Rajgarh followed by Gurah and finally you reach Karsog. In the evening you can trek back to Janjehli.

Another one-day trek from Janjehli could be to Budah Kaidar, at a height of 9000 feet. A trek to Magru Galu, a high mountainous pass can be exciting, too. From Magru Galu you get a beautiful view of Pandoh and Mandi.

The fourth trek from Janjehli could be to Rampur, which is 40 km away. The first halt comes at Chetu followed by Cheeura, Swad, Loori and finally you reach Rampur. Yet another adventurous expedition can be undertaken to Gadagushaini and Banjar which is again 40 km from Janjehli. A number of foreign tourists visit Banjar which is famous for its wildlife sanctuary. You can even camp en route. Although Janjehli’s scenic beauty makes it ideal for its development as a summer resort what is required is construction of more roads and tourist bungalows.

Janjehli is 29-km from Kulu, which is well-connected to Delhi by road and air.

Avnish Katoch

An IT professional for 17 years, based in the US since the last 12 years. Founded NGO My Himachal and then Himachal Media Pvt. Ltd.. A Himachali forever. Always trying to bring together people whose hearts beat for the state.