SHANGHAR – A HIDDEN HIMALAYAN PARADISE OF NATURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

HIMACHAL, a word which needs no definition, explanation, or introduction.
A travel junkie or any mountain lover from India or abroad would most definitely know about the Himachal Pradesh.
Almost the size of Scotland, India’s eighteenth largest state, Himachal Pradesh is home to middle and trans Himalayan ranges.
The land attracts tourists in large numbers to the various popular towns like Manali, Shimla, Kaza, Dharamshala, Kasol to name a few.
However, there are a few places quite remote, not connected well via roads or are way too far from the main roads that they had remain hidden surprisingly from the the tourism map.

One such place, nestled in the lap of nature, is the serene and scenic SHANGHAR located in the eco-zone of world heritage site GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
Abode of local diety Shangachul Mahadev, unexplored and unknown, in the Sainj valley of Kullu district, the small gram panchayat Shanghar is nature in its full, eternal glory, as if the goddess of nature has taken her utmost superior form, smiling and showering blessings.
A seeker of solitude or of self discovery or a hardcore adventure, Shanghar is a full-fledged NATURE’S HUB that caters to the needs of everyone in almost all the seasons.

Till 2013, there were no motorable road to Shanghar, it was accessible through a 3-4 hours hike from the town of Neuli in Sainj valley.
By 2014 a motorable road came up under the Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojna which is still under construction, however a daily bus has also been started by HRTC to Shanghar from Kullu at 2:00 PM to reach Shanghar usually by 6 PM. It doesn’t come if it rains as last 7 kms stretch from Ropa to Shanghar is still non-tarmac.

BY AIR

Nearest airport from Shanghar is Kullu Manali Airport located in Bhuntar. It is around 49 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Bhuntar to Shanghar or the HRTC bus from bus stand at 2:00 PM which usually reach Shanghar by 6 PM via Larji & Sainj

BY TRAIN

Nearest railway station from Shanghar is Joginder Nagar in Mandi. It is around 118 kms from Shanghar, one can either take a direct taxi from Joginder Nagar or the HRTC bus from bus to Mandi/Aut and then to Shanghar/Sainj. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.

BY ROAD

From New Delhi Shanghar is around 540 kms via Karnal-Ambala-Chandigarh-Bilaspur-Mandi-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa road, one can either take a direct taxi from from Delhi to Shanghar which will take around 10-12 hours minimum drive or can take a bus from either ISBT or Majnu Ka Tila in Delhi to Thalaut/Aut (before tunnel), from Mandi/Aut one can take either direct taxi or bus to Sainj/Shanghar. From Sainj one can also get shared taxis to Shanghar if lucky.

If you plan on taking a personal vehicle from Delhi, drive/ride through the road on the right before Aut Tunnel on Chandigarh-Manali Highway. Drive through Larji to Sainj bypass (upper road) to reach Ropa on Neuli road. From Ropa, take the 7 kms road on the right going upwards that will take you to Shanghar through one of the best scenic trips you will ever have experienced. It will be a long journey and a night halt at Bilaspur or Mandi is recommended if you feel tired.
If coming from Manali Shanghar is around 95 kms via Naggar-Bhuntar-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road.
If coming from Shimla Shanghar is around 203 kms via Ghaghas-Aut-Larji-Sainj bypass-Ropa road and around 265 via Narkanda-Luhri-Jalori Pass-Banjar-Larji-Sainj Bypass-Ropa

Once you reach Shanghar and witness the Devta Ground which is hardly much walk from the main road, you immediately get over the hangover of the treacherous long journey till Shanghar and get surprised by the eternal bliss of the holy land and extraordinary peace & vistas around in the midst of wilderness of Great Himalayan National Park.
Words can not do justice to the incredible beauty of Shanghar Devta Graound located at a height of 6700 feet (2050 meters) above sea level which is probably the most scenic Himalayan meadow with Pine backdrop reachable by a road.

Shanghar Devta Ground is the legal property of Shangchul Mahadev who governs the land there. According to local belief, he is the protector there ,who came from Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh and protected the land & it’s residents from the demons living, who carves rules and regulations for every living creature visiting the meadow. Only cows are allowed to enter and graze that also helps keeping the growth and length of grasses in control. Bringing or consuming alcohol, wearing an uniform, urinating or excreting, quarrelling/fighting, harassing anyone, shouting, digging or putting up tents are all prohibited.
An interesting and endearing story here is that since no one can harass or force someone to do something here, most of the lovers who elope from home, take shelter in this land where Shanghachul Mahadev protects them. According to the popular Epic Mahabharata, this field was created within a night by the Pandavas for agriculture purposes during their exile. Even today, you will not find a single pebble or stone in the field, making it the perfect and unique experience to walk, play or gazing the mindblowing vistas around.

On one side of the field, there is a small temple and on the other side is an enormous tower temple that stands as a stunning structural example of Himachali wooden architecture. All around and across the field is the magnificent view of the Himalayas that are covered with dense forest, filling an onlookers’ heart with joy. The overwhelming beauty of Shanghar mesmerises the visitors.
Shanghar, in a way, is the entrance to the Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary of Great Himalayan National Park which is India’s youngest national park, listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2014 for its inexplicable natural beauty, wild species like Western Trapogan (Jijurana), Monal, Himalayan Tahr etc and various exclusive flora & fauna.

You can make a trip to Shanghar in any season as every season in Shangar is wrapped in uniquely wondrous beauty and painted with different colours.
During winters, it is painted white with snow and in summers, a lush green blanket covers this magical land.
The best thing about Shanghar is, you will always have a convenient means of travel and stay.

Shanghar is a small place with no actual market and very few places to stay in.
As of now there are no hotels or resorts in Shanghar to stay but there are few beautiful home stays run by local families which provide tourists a chance to live the local way of living along with basic comforts.
As Shanghar panchayat is a group of small villages, one should not get confused and can fix the stay in any village nearby.
Road from Shanghar goes till Barshanghar village (4 kms from Madana) via Hurcha, Madana, Shashni and Dharali villages in GHNP ecozone. Devta ground is near Madana and there are home stays available in all these villages including Dagara which is the highest point in Shanghar Panchayat.
All the home stays in Shanghar provide meals however there are also few very basic roadside dhabas in Madana where you can get things like momos, noodles, maggi and tea/coffee.

Shanghar comes under the eco zone of Great Himalayan National Park where one can go for wishful trekking from 1 to 10 days.
Apart from Shanghar, Barshanghar, Lapah, Shakti and Maruar are other significant villages which fall under this park which one has to walk to reach. The land beyond them, is the main park area and filled with dwellers.
Many mountain peaks in the Great Himalayan National Park are still untouched and the wonderful opportunity to summit them and name them is still open.
Apart from hiking there are many other serene spots by the Shanghar road which can make your vacation memorable without much an effort.

Following are the main places not to miss if visiting Shanghar
1) Shanghar Meadow or Devta Ground
2) Shangchul Mahadev Temple
3) Tandidhar
4) Barshanghar Waterfall

Following are the amazing short beginner treks from Shanghar
1) Sara Lake
2) Ganjau Thatch
3) Thini Thatch
4) Bunga Thatch
5) Pundrik Lake
6) Lapah

Following are the moderate and long treks from Shanghar into GHNP
1) Shumga Top
2) Dhel Pass
3) Shakti Maraur
4) Raktisar Glacier
5) Naina Thatch
6) Munda Tapra

And, if you wish to do absolutely nothing, you are still welcome to live in the calm & peace of Shanghar in some beautiful pine cottage away from hustle & bustle of city life.

To sum it up, Shanghar is equipped with everything that an eco-friendly and nature-lover tourist would want. The most beautiful thing is that people in Shanghar understand the importance of tourists and their responsibility towards the same. All that is needed now is a similar attitude and understanding from the government, you, and us, and our responsibility towards environment to take necessary steps for the tourists visiting Shanghar.