Bijli Mahadev Temple in Kullu Himachal Pradesh

Bijli Mahadev Temple in Kullu Himachal Pradesh: The Temple of Lightning

Bijli Mahadev Temple in Kullu Himachal Pradesh: The temple derived its name from a remarkable occurrence that happens on rare occasions. The revered ‘Shiva-Lingam’ gets struck by lightning and breaks into pieces. However, the temple priest skillfully gathers and reassembles the fragments using butter as an adhesive.

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Bijli Mahadev Temple is a stunning ‘Kash’ style temple housing a sacred “Shiva-Lingam”. Located in the Mathan region, it is surrounded by the picturesque Parbati, Garsa, Bhunter, and Kullu valleys, just 14 KM from Kullu town. Perched atop a hill, the temple is accompanied by a quaint village also known as Bijli Mahadev. The caring villagers oversee the temple’s maintenance.

Every year, during the auspicious festival of ‘Shivaratri,’ devotees flock to this divine site to pay their respects to Lord Shiva. The serene ambiance and breathtaking surroundings add to the spiritual experience of all visitors.

The Importance of Bijli Mahadev

Bijli Mahadev is a place steeped in mystery and miracles. Its name originates from the fascinating phenomenon where lightning (Bijli) strikes the Shiva Linga inside the temple, causing it to break into pieces. However, during special occasions, the Shiva Linga (Mahadev) is meticulously rejoined using a locally made adhesive and ceremoniously installed. The temple’s interior bears witness to the effects of the lightning, with charred marks visible on the walls.

Devotees can make offerings in the Hundi, a collection box placed within the temple premises. Inside the temple, some puja articles are available for use, free of any additional cost. Photography is allowed throughout the place, capturing sacred moments and serene surroundings.

Adjacent to the temple, small stone statues are situated, providing devotees the opportunity to perform pooja. A significant feature near the temple is a 20-meter-tall pole made from a Deodar tree sourced from a nearby forest. On special occasions, the pole is replaced with the tallest Deodar tree found in the forest, in a grand festival celebration. Local villagers and people from neighboring areas come together to carry out this ritual, considering it a sacred act of serving God and seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings.

The temple’s location at the highest point of Mathan Hill renders the place incredibly scenic, offering breathtaking views. Mobile towers are situated nearby, providing BSNL and Airtel connections (as of May 2010) for communication convenience.

For visitors, a newly constructed building offers accommodation (restrooms) right beside the temple. Though the price for accommodation is not fixed, it can house up to 10 people at a time. Additionally, all visitors are treated to complimentary tea, adding warmth to their spiritual experience at Bijli Mahadev.

How to Reach Bijli Mahadev:

To reach Bijli Mahadev, first, make your way to Kullu. From there, you have a couple of options. You can catch a bus from the bus stand that goes to the nearby ‘Chansari’ village. Alternatively, you can book a private cab from the Kullu taxi stand near the bus stand for a more convenient ride. From ‘Chansari,’ you’ll need to climb stairs, covering a distance of about 3 km uphill. However, the road has been extended to more than 5 km now, reducing the stair climbing by half. If you have a personal or booked vehicle, you can now approach the village ‘Halleni.’

For the adventurous and physically fit, there’s an option to trek all the way from Kullu to Bijli Mahadev. The trek offers stunning views of jungles, orchids, and small villages along the way. Though the climb can be tiring, the beauty of the surroundings will captivate you.

Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Parvati and Kullu valleys. The absence of higher peaks nearby allows an unobstructed view of the surroundings. If you plan to stay for more than a day, remember to bring your own camping equipment, as there’s limited accommodation available, mostly managed by locals.

During the trek, you’ll find small shops offering cool drinks and refreshments to keep you energized. The initial part of the walk involves rough climbing, but as you progress, you’ll find well-constructed steps with normal heights and flat areas. At a certain point, there’s a flat area where locals have set up private canteens serving delicious Chinese food and momos.

The temple area’s water source is a nearby tank. For those who cannot trek, there’s another motorable road to reach Bijli Mahadev from Naggar’s side via Jana Waterfall. To access this route, you’ll need to reach Naggar from Kullu or Manali. Motorcycles are preferred for transportation, but small motor vehicles can safely travel this route as well.