Located in the centre of the Banjar Valley of Himachal is this lush green serene dastination called Jibhi which has recently gained popularity in past few years. It has become the go to place for the travelrs seeking offbeat experinece and authentic mountain feel unlike Shimla or Manali which is always filled with crowd and has lost the original vibe and feel that it use to offer few years back.
Jibhi on the other hand still remains uncrowded and offers soothing and calming water streams and picture perfect wooden cottages that makes the pictures and stay in this offbeat destination of Himachal asthetically pleasing. Whether you are someone looking for some quiet peaceful escape, adventure lover who like to do treks and exploring the monutains inside out and and sees the mountaind from the eyes of a traveler and not a toursit or a nature lover, Jibhi is the perfect mountain destination that you should explore on yiur next trio to Hiamcha. Here I give you the top 5 best places that you must explore while you are in Jibhi.
1. Jibhi Water Fall In Tandi Jibhi
Jibhi waterfall is the most nearby yet one the the best destination that you will explore while you are in Jibhi Himachal. It is situated in the border range of the Tandi village and maintained and managed by the forest department of Himachal Pradesh. You have to walk anywhere from 300 to 500 meters depending upon the stay options you choose for yourself and best to visit when there is sunlight so that you can experience true beauty of the place and have some Instagram worthy pictures to make some everlasting memories on the Internet.
2. Shesh Naag Temple Jibhi
The Shesh Naag Temple in Jibh is situated away from the bustling city in the lush valleys of the Himachal. It is one of the most spiritually rich and peaceful destination that you may visit in entire Jibhi. It is surrounded by the scenic trail and dense cedar forest and mountain peaks which glows white with snow in the winter season. The temple is dedicated to the multi-headed serpent deity who is considered to be the guardian of the universe according to Hindu Mythology.
The architecture of the temple showcase the traditional Himalayan style, built from the beautifully carved woods and stone that depicts with the forest backdrop harmoniously. The tress around the temples makes constant sound of the rustling leaves that merges with the constant sound of the mountain streams flowing by the valley.
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It’s not just the Temple but the journey to the temple itself is a rewarding experience . Whether you do a hike from the Jibhi village or may choose to take a sort drive followed by a small trek, every single tep you take towards the Temple offers a panaromic visuals of untouched and unexplored nature. For the locals of the Jibhi, Shesh Naag Temple holds Utter spiritual importance.
They celebrate annual ritual ceremony which brings together the closely knitted community, while visitors often comes to Jibhi looking for Peace, meditation, and connection with the supreme god. The morning visuals in Jibhi are just pure magic. The crisp air, the silent woods, and the soft sunlight falling on the temple and the surroundings where the school kids from the Goverment Senior Secondary School Jibhi playing in the temple premises just feels like a divine place.
3. SHOJA
In recent years SHOJA has gained popularity among the adventure travellers and the trekkers. It is a small village located 6 KMs above the main Jibhi town and can be easily accessed by using local transport like HRTC bus and also a sharing cab. The cost for the bus ticket ranges from INR 10 to 20 depending on the kind of bus you board (private or HRTC). While the cost of the private sharing taxi ranges from INR (100- 150).
It is surrounded by the tall trees of Deodar , Oaks and Pine. The sunrise and the sunsets from here are just unreal as the famous mountain ranges like Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal can be clearly seen if the whether is clear and that just makes this place a no brainer if you are visiting Jibhi. This place also has a water fall located inside the jungle which can be reached by doing a short 2 KM trek through the jungle.
Since the trek is through the jungle and often confusing, it is highly recommended to get a guide or at least tag along with some local so that you don’t get lost and your adventure might become a unpleasant experience.
Though SHOJA is a very small village with hardly few locals living in there and mostly accommodates a large number of hostels and hotels for the travellers , it has a rich heritage importance. It was used an important rest point in the ancient Himalayan trade route as it links the local communities living across the pass and valleys in the region. The famous Himachali houses made with wood and stones stands with pride in the centre of the place along with the local temple which was made over 100 years back showcasing the rich culture and belief of locals in their customs and traditions.
It offers a large number of hostels and home stays with really affordable prices making it a travel friendly destination for all kind of travellers. Food options are no issue whether you are a vegetarian or a Non vegetarian. This place hosts numerous cafes and local restaurants along with one Dhaba (Thakur Dhaba) located right across the turn before the Hostel (Zostel), providing all kind of food options from fast food to healthy Thali.
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4. Jalori Pass
As the name suggests Jalori pass is the link connecting the Kullu and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh located at the hight of over 3000 meters above the sea level. Unlike other Himalayan passes, it is not one of the highest or most dangerous pass but What makes the Jalori pass so special and unique is that how seamlessly it blends the beautiful mountains with the calmness and peace which is really rare to find these days. Jalori pass is a place that must be visited with adequate time and patience as it has so much to offer and teach you about nature and life.
The path to the Jalori pass in itself is so scenic and serene, no matter you take a bus or a private taxi the road feels more like a forest rail as you pass through the dense forest along the narrow roads with winds blowing along the roads. When riding bike or taking early morning taxi to the Jalori pass you can witness the mist rushing through the tall trees probably older than your age and the smell of damped earth combined with pine that fills the air across the forest.
Once you reach the top of the pass , the times slows, the views becomes just unreal, the winds starts to feel like a soft storm and the temple bell chimes and the local food stalls and the local ladies selling hand woven warm shawls and scarfs feels like another world. If the Whether is clear , mountains covered in snow lined across the range in 360 degree view can be viewed from the pass itself. Unlike other hilly places this pass has no fences and platforms but open land, prayer flags that flutters in the strong wind and mountains standing tall with pride and calm.
Jalori has a rich ancient history that goes back in time when there were no modern roads and infrastructure and locals used as a seasonal crossing point between the valleys. It was majorly used by the traders and shepherds and is still used for the similar purpose till date.
Jalori is not just a pass but it also serves as a starting point for some really rewarding hikes that goes through the jungle and gives you the view of some nature’s magical moments that will engrave in your memories for lifetime. The most popular and scenic trails are to the Raghupur Fort, Sareyolsar lake and the 360 degree view point.
5. Seri Village
Seri village located at a distance of around 9 KM from the Jibhi Water Fall is a very small village which most the travellers pass or does not even know about without even realising what they have missed. There are no sign boards or itineraries on the internet that points you towards this scenic village of the Banjar Valley.
There are no proper roads and street lights which makes it accessible only during the day light. It can only be accessed by seeking help from the locals to know the path and then after a hike of 9 KM you reach this beautiful place with no modern amenities but views and calmness that this village offers has no comparison to the crowded places in the Jibhi town.
With a population of mere 40 people living in the village, the locals has houses over 100 years old, lands that they grow crops and vegetables for their own use. a primary govt. school and the temple of their village god. Since the Seri village is located at the top of the mountain , they views from the top are serene and the entire Banjar Valley can be seen sloping down. Standing at the edge of the village you can see all the major tourist attractions like Shoja, Jalori Pass , and the other villages in the valley.
Seri village’s location makes it ideal for the travellers who want to stay close to the nature and experience the true local culture and lifestyle while you stay between the locals of the village. While your stay in the village you will explore the forest trails built by the locals and not for tourists, which will give you the sense of authentic lifestyle and native feel of belonging in the mountains. You may hardly find any restaurants shops in the village and even the network is quite inconsistent, but these are not the drawbacks rather a meaningful experience that connects you with nature, people around you and your inner self.
Seri village is the places that every traveller must visit at least once in their lifetime when planning to visit Jibhi. If you are someone who loves slow exploration and open to explore the untouched and authentic culture and lifestyle of the place, seri is a must visit place for you. Seri is incomparable to all the other touristic sight seeings in the Jibhi that may see on the internet and holds a unique place charm and calmness that can give you a new perspective in life.