Located in the Banjar Valley of Himachal Pradesh is the ancient temple tower Chehni Kothi. The famous attraction is situated in the Chehni village of Banjar valley in Kullu Manali. To reach this seven tier Bhagwati temple, you will need to reach Shringa Rishi temple first. From the temple, you will proceed on a journey through dense forests, and apple and peach orchids for an hour and a half. Once you reach the small village of Chehni, you will be able to watch the Chehni Kothi as well as another smaller tower located opposite the Chehni Kothi.
Both towers were built sometime in the 17th century by King Raja Rana Dhadhia. Originally a fortress, Chehni Kothi originally had seven storeys but in 1905, during Kangra Earthquake, it lost the top two stories. The towers are made of wood and stone, using the Kathkuni method of architecture. A major attraction of this structure is its staircase, which is said to be made of a single wood piece.
Rising to multiple levels, Chehni Kothi features intricately carved wooden balconies, windows, and door frames, displaying the artistic finesse of local craftsmen. Its design incorporates traditional elements, reflecting the cultural and architectural heritage of the region. The tower stands amidst breathtaking landscapes, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Chehni Kothi is not only a visual marvel but also a cultural treasure, representing the history, craftsmanship, and way of life of the past. It serves as a reminder of Himachal Pradesh's rich heritage and provides visitors with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in history while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Himalayan region.
Highlights
• Embark on an enjoyable and scenic journey to reach Chehni Kothi, located in Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
• Reach Shringa Rishi temple on the way up and admire the view of the temple against lush green meadows, dense forest and snow-capped mountains.
• Embark on a short one and a half hour trek through dense forest, apple and peach orchids to reach Chehni Kothi.
• Take a look at the Chehni Kothi temple made of wood and stone and admire its ‘Kathkuni’ method of architecture.
• Watch out for the highlight of the building, the tall staircase, which is believed to be made of a single wood log.
How To Reach
By Foot: To reach Chehni Kothi, you will need to take a hike from Shringa Rishi temple. The hike will take around one and a half hours one way.
By Car: You will need to travel from Banjar bus station to Shringa Rishi temple to start your trek to Chehni Kothi. It will take you 22 minutes to travel the distance of 7 km between the two points by car via NH305 and Shringi Rishi Mandir Rd.
Best Time To Visit
Chehni Kothi in Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh is an all-around-the-year destination which is pleasant for a visit any time of the year.
Best season: The best season to visit Chehni Kothi in Tirthan Valley is during the summer season, starting from April to June. During these months, the weather is welcoming and warm, making it ideal for going on a trek to Chehni Kothi.
Best day in the week: The best day in the week to visit Chehni Kothi is during the weekdays when the local and nearby crowd is not present.
The best time of the day: The best time of the day to visit Chehni Kothi is in the early morning. As you will need to go on a trek for 35 minutes from Shringa Rishi temple to reach Chehni Kothi, it is better to start in the early morning when the weather is cool and ideal for trekking.
Other Essential Information
- You will reach Chehni Kothi by taking a short trek, so it is better to start your trek early in order to return back on the same day.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes which are suitable for a trek.
- Cover your head with a cap or hat and your eyes with sunglasses. Put some sunscreen on your face to protect it from the sun.
- Carry water to keep yourself hydrated during the trek.
- Be respectful towards local customs and people.
- This trek is not suitable for senior citizens or children.
- Do not litter around. You can use designated dustbins which are available on the trek trail.
The Scenic Hike to Chehni kothi
You will need to take a short hike to reach Chehni Kothi, as there are no direct motorable roads to the attraction. But you will enjoy the hike that will take you on a scenic route through dense forests. On your way, you will be able to spot numerous trees with apples, peaches and apricots hanging from them. Throughout your journey, the only sounds which will accompany you will include the chirping of birds and the buzzing of bees.
Pay Respect Shringa Rishi Temple
Your trek to Chehni Kothi will start from the Shringa Rishi temple, and you can visit this beautiful temple before embarking on your trek. Located in the village Bagi, the Shringa Rishi temple is dedicated to the presiding deity of Banjar Valley, Rishi Shringi. Admire this 30-35 meters tall temple which is situated amidst the breathtaking view of lush green valley, dense forest and meadows, and snow-capped mountains.
Plucking apples from the trees
The Chehni Kothi trek will also include an enjoyable experience of plucking apples from the trees on the trail. You can enjoy these apples for free as the locals will not charge you any money for them. Watch trees laden with apples and pluck some to eat or take along with you.
Admire the architecture of Chehni Kothi
The main attraction of Chehni Kothi trek is its temple with the same name which is a traditional tower temple made of layers of stone and wood. Also known as Bhagwati temple, the seven-tier temple is an architectural wonder and is built with Kathkuni’ (meaning Kath=Wood and kuni=angle)method of architecture. Observe the four storeys of stone structure which hold the top five tiers of the temple. Discover the wooden staircase that is fixed near the entrance and can be used for going to the upper levels of the temple. Admire the projected balcony, which serves as the intermediate point to the tower and is 12 meters above the ground. Learn about the topmost storey, which houses idols of a few gods.
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Observe Dev Bhandar
Dev Bhandar is another tall structure that is right across Chehni Kothi which you can visit. Meaning the temple treasure, Dev Bhandar is also a 500-year-old temple like Chehni Kothi and is smaller than Chehni Kothi. Dev Bhandar has also been built using the ‘Kathkuni’ method of architecture, which means wood(Kath) and angle(Kuni). Similar to Chehni Kothi, this tower is also made of layers of stones and wood.
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