Just off the road from Kalpa to Shimla, Sarahan – the erstwhile summer capital of the Bushahr Kingdom – is best known for its Bhimakali Temple, an excellent example of Kinnauri temple architecture. It’s spread out over three courtyards, with two primary towers dominating the complex, each of which contains a shrine to Bhimakali, a locally revered form of the goddess Durga. The structures here were built by layering stone and timber, a technique designed to help minimize the impact of earthquakes.
One originally 12th-century tower collapsed fairly recently but has been beautifully restored. The other (left) dates from the 1920s, and both contain highly revered shrines to Bhimakali (the local version of Kali) on canopied silver thrones.
Note that before entering, you’ll need to deposit your camera, phone and any leather goods in lockers. Men will be provided with a small loaner cap to wear while exploring the complex.