Are you always searching for pristine and secluded locations to sit for hours and gaze at the beauty around you? If yes, you’ll love Shangarh Himachal.
Imagine sitting on a large green meadow, Himachali kids playing nearby, sweet sun rays hitting your skin, and the backdrop of snow-clad and pine-covered mountains. You’ll get all of this in Shangarh.
So, where is this place?
Shangarh is a secluded village, untouched by crowds, in the Himachal Pradesh state of India.
I recently went on a solo trip and stayed in the Zostel here, and the place helped me disconnect from myself and calm my worries.
This guide post is for fellow travelers who are planning their visit here. You’ll learn what to expect, the easiest ways to reach, the best time to visit, and more.
Read on.
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In This Post
What Can You Expect in Shangarh?
Before I let you know what you’ll experience, I want you to know what you’ll see here. See these pics:
If these pics aren’t clearly conveying you – let me tell you what you’ll experience in Shangarh:
- A peaceful village with welcoming locals, far away from the crowded tourist destinations.
- A vast green and sacred meadow surrounded by pine trees and beautiful mountains in the backdrop.
- Clear night sky with twinkling stars — how about sitting with your loved ones near a bonfire?
- A few accommodation options for the youths (hostels) and a few homestays.
- Options to engage in adventure activities include hiking trails, trekking, and camping.
I visited Shangarh in Himachal Pradesh’s Sainj Valley in the first week of December. The weather was chilly and dry.
Life was slow and peaceful — one of the most secluded places. It was the weather where you craved more of the sunlight, warm food, and a cozy bed. Fortunately, the place offers you all this.
The purpose of my visit was to disconnect with myself and figure out solutions to my work-life problems. Did I get what I wanted? I don’t know. Maybe!
But one thing is sure: I got the clarity. And if we are honest with ourselves, isn’t that all we want in our lives?
How To Reach Shangarh Himachal?
For most people, the easiest way to reach Shangarh is via Delhi. However, you can also travel from Chandigarh if it is nearby.
The nearest airport to Shangarh Sainj Valley is Bhuntar or Kullu Manali Airport (KUU), lying at 53 km. There are cheap flights to KUU airport on Skyscanner from your location.
You can also board a flight to Chandigarh Airport (IXC), approximately 240 km from Shangarh.
The nearest railway station to Shangarh is Chandigarh (CDG), approximately 240 km.
If you’re going by the road by yourself, remember the distance of Shangarh from Delhi and Chandigarh is around 500 km (10-12 hours) and 240 km (5-6 hours ride) respectively.
The two primary routes to reach Shangarh look like this:
- Delhi to Aut > Aut to Sainj > Sainj to Shangarh
- Chandigarh to Aut > Aut to Sainj > Sainj to Shangarh
On some websites, you’ll see that people have recommended de-boarding before the Aut tunnel starts to get a cab or bus for Sainj.
However, I recommend you go through the tunnel and deboard in the Aut market. The reason? Before the Aut tunnel, the place is eerie.
Besides, you may face difficulty getting a private taxi or paying extra charges.
Take a bus to Sainj from the Aut market. Once you reach Sainj, you can wait for the only HRTC bus that shows up around 4 p.m. to reach Shangarh (your final destination) or hire a private taxi from here.
Note that you won’t get any direct bus from Aut to Shangarh but private cabs and taxis.
What To Explore in Shangarh
If you want something happening, you might be disappointed in visiting Shangarh. This place is for slow travelers or those looking to relax amidst nature.
Lush green valley, tall pine forest, friendly Himachali villagers, and backdrop of majestic mountain views. This is what Shangarh is in a nutshell.
The Meadows
The Meadows are Shangarh’s main attraction. They are a vast, divine land with pine trees and a village around its circumference.
But that’s not it: the land has an interesting connection with Pandava’s exile.
As per the legend, Pandavas settled here during their exile and planted rice in this meadow.
Locals consider this land holy and have a separate committee for its maintenance. You should be aware of some strict rules before entering this. Let me show you:
In my experience, it can be an excellent place for some reflection. Imagine sitting on a vast piece of land with a beautiful view.
There’s nothing but nature all around. Kids are playing nearby, locals are chatting with each other, furry dogs are roaming around, and cattle are grazing on the grass.
Shangchul Mahadev Temple
Shangchul Mahadev Temple is actually a group of two temples in Shangarh. One temple is in the meadows, and the other is situated in the village.
The meadow Shangchul Mahadev Temple’s architecture is of wooden craftsmanship and looks so beautiful, sitting alone in the meadows.
There’s a fascinating legend that goes for the place. According to it, when Pandavas were here during exile, Kauravas searched for them. However, Lord Shiva intervened in between, declaring the land belonged to Him and no one could harm. And Kauravas had to retreat.
This incident led to the belief that couples who have eloped or are being mistreated by society are safeguarded here by the blessings of Lord Shangchul Mahadev.
Barshangarh Waterfall
Do you fancy sitting near a waterfall?
Good news! A beautiful, milky white waterfall is approximately 3.5 km from the Shangarh village of Barshangarh.
Your hostel or homestay can arrange a guided trek to this waterfall, so be sure to ask. The place where I stayed, Zostel Shangarh, definitely provided this facility.
I haven’t personally been to this waterfall. However, Zostel Shangarh organized regular treks for this place.
Important Things to Know Before You Pack Your Bags
Shangarh in Sainj Valley, Himachal, is a remote village. It’s not a densely populated village and gives the perfect vibes for a peaceful and relaxing stay amidst nature.
Not so fast, though. Being situated at a challenging location, you must do certain essential things before packing your bags for Shangarh.
I am sharing a few tips here, which I gathered from my own personal experience plus the advice of locals while I was there:
- There are no proper restaurants or eateries in Shangarh that have staple food. You’ll have to rely on the food provided by your accommodation.
- Since there are few options for accommodation in the village, the price may go up during the peak season. In a nutshell: book your accommodation in advance.
- If you want to do adventure activities here, you should bring proper gear such as a trekking pole, comfortable backpack, trekking shoes, and winter jackets.
- Mobile networks Airtel and Jio work fine up there, with Jio even giving a 5G network.
- There’s no ATM to withdraw cash in the village. However, most businesses accept online payments through UPI.
- The meadows in Shangarh (Devta Maidan, as they are locally referred to) are sacred and have rules developed by the local authority. For instance, police and forest officials aren’t allowed to wear belts and caps. Similarly, you can’t drink alcohol, litter, play loud music, or bring a vehicle, chair, or table. So, ensure you respect the rules!
Are There Any Accommodations in Shangarh? (Zostel Review)
Shangarh primarily offers two accommodation options: homestays and youth hostels.
For example, you’ll find local homestays and famous hostels such as Zostel Shangarh and The Hosteller Shangarh.
As it is a secluded place, you won’t find any luxury hotels here. If you’re coming with family, you should stay in homestays, and if you’re coming with friends, you prefer to stay in hostels.
I stayed in Zostel, and the view from it was just amazing. See these pics to get an idea:
My overall stay at the Zostel was very comfortable. I had booked a dorm and was the only one in the room. Gosh, I felt like I’d booked a private room, LOL!
During my free time, I used to go up the stairs to the upper floor of the property, where there was a common area. Then, I would sit there and gaze at that beautiful mountain peak and the villagers doing their daily chores!
And the best part? The beautiful Shangarh meadows are only a 5-10 minute walk away from Zostel Shangarh.
The food is also fabulous. Of course, it’s a little pricey, but we all know the struggles of sourcing it for the mountains. There’s also an option to get laundry done if you’re coming here for longer stays.
Best Time to Visit Shangarh Himachal
The best time to visit Shangarh is from December to March. It’s winter, and the chances of snowfall are high in January and February. The meadows turn white, and the village looks like a scene from the movie Narnia.
However, if you want to see the meadow in lush green attire, you should visit from April to June in summer.
But remember: during heavy snowfall, the valley disconnects from the population. So, you might have to spend more than usual on transport, food, and accommodation.
Talking with my taxi driver, Meharchand, I learned that only 4×4 vehicles go up to Shangarh from Sainj and can charge up to INR 3000 for a one-way trip. The usual price is INR 800.
If you need a taxi from Sainj Valley to Shangarh (and vice versa), you can call Meharchand.
I visited in December when the weather was chilly during the night and sunny during the daytime.
It was that time of year when you’d want to sunbathe for hours while enjoying the beautiful Himalayan views. (That’s precisely what I did most of the time).
Conclusion
Let’s recap: Shangarh is a peaceful and beautiful hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh, India.
You should visit this remote village to relax amidst nature and spectacular mountain views, away from crowds.
With friendly locals, opportunities for hiking and camping, and cheap accommodation options, your time in Shangarh will re-energize your spirit.
Please book in advance, bring cash and winter clothing, and respect local customs on the sacred meadows.
Think about it: Disconnecting from technology for a few days in this Himalayan paradise will give you the clarity and rejuvenation you need. Shangarh Himachal, it is!
An appeal: Please do not throw litter around. Use a dustbin. If you can’t find one, take the trash with you and throw it when you find one. Your small steps like this one can make the world clean and green.
