The Bijli Mahadev Temple is a famous ancient temple, located in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at an altitude of 2,460 m (8,070 ft) and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Kullu and Parvati valleys.
As the name suggests, Bijli Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that lightning strikes the temple once in every 11-12 years and sometimes it strikes the Shiva Lingam inside. After the strike, the temple priests bind the Shiva Lingam again using butter and sattu (flour). This whole phenomenon symbolizes rebirth.
The trek starts in Chansari or Naggar (depending on choosing route) and shall take you through dense forests and paddy fields. The mesmerising views of Parvati Valley from the top make it worth the climb. Trek passes through the beautiful pine and cedar forests. Being a short and easy trek, it's suitable for beginners, kids and families. Trekkers camp near the temple to enjoy the serene environment and the beautiful views of sunrise and sunset. Bijli Mahadev Temple trek is an all-year trek but to enjoy the journey most, better do it in spring, summer and autumn seasons.
History Of Bijli Mahadev Temple Trek
The Bijli Mahadev Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The popular story linked with the temple is 'Bijli' (thunder lightning) story. As per this mythological story, once in every 12 years the lightning strikes the temple and Shiva Lingam enshrined inside the temple. Due to the lightning, the Shiva Lingam gets shattered but the priests of the temple restore it with sattu (gram flour) and butter. Incredibly, the butter does not melt and keeps the Shiva Lingam intact until the next lightning strike. Locals believe this phenomenon symbolizes the rebirth and the protection provided by the Lord Shiva by absorbing the lightning to safeguard the valley.
Another mythological story linked with the Bijli Mahadev Temple is- the story of demon Kulanta. Demon Kulanta tried to submerge the entire Kullu Valley by blocking the Beas River. In a fierce battle, Lord Shiva defeated Kulanta by striking him with his (Lord Shiva's) trident. Kulanta's body was shattered and formed the mountains of the region.
Being a sacred place, the Bijli Mahadev Temple continued to be a significant pilgrimage site. However, there are limited historical records about the region but it is believed that when Kullu Valley emerged as a regional kingdom, the Bijli Mahadev Temple would have been the centre of religious and cultural activities. The remote location of the temple kept it pristine and ensured its preservation through many regional power shifts.
Today, the Bijli Mahadev Temple is counted among the highly revered Shiva shrines. It attracts thousands of tourists annually. For trekkers, it’s a popular trekking destination which offers the panoramic views of famous valleys of Himachal along with offering the spiritual fulfillment.
Highlights Of Bijli Mahadev Temple Trek
- Panoramic Himalayan Views: The Bijli Mahadev Temple is located at the altitude of about 2,460 m. From here you can view the sweeping 360-degree views of the Kullu and Parvati valleys. If the sky is clear, you can also spot the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal mountain ranges stretching far into the horizon. For photography, it offers excellent views.
- Short and Beginner-Friendly Trek: The Bijli Mahadev Temple trek is approx 3 to 4 km long and takes about 2 hours one way. The trek is ideal for beginners and families. Even kids (above 7) can do it easily. The trail is forested and passes through cedar and pine woods and offers beautiful scenery throughout.
- Spiritual Atmosphere: The Bijli Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The aura of the temple is very peaceful and spiritually uplifting. The serene ambiance, ringing bells, spiritual hymns and fluttering flags take the beauty of the place on to the next level and attract both devotees and nature lovers.
- Mythical Lightning Strikes: The Bijli Mahadev Temple is famous for its unique phenomenon of thunder lightning which strikes once in 12 years. It strikes the Shiva Lingam inside the temple also but the priests of the temple bind it back with butter and gram flour. Therefore the name of temple 'Bijli Mahadev' is based on this mystical event.
- Connection with Nature: The trail of the Bijli Mahadev Temple is surrounded by the dense forests, wild flowers, fresh air and sightings of Himalayan birds. Thus the trail offers trekkers to disconnect the world and reconnect with mother nature in its purest form.
Difficulty Level Of The Bijli Mahadev Temple Trek
The Bijli Mahadev Temple trek is a short and beginner-friendly trek, suitable for kids (above 7 years), families and solo trekkers. It is relatively an easy trek with a total trekking distance of around 3 km (2 hrs) one way. The trek starts in Chansari or Naggar and heads to the Bijli Mahadev Temple, situated at an elevation of approx 2,460 m above sea level.
The trail of the Bijli Mahadev Temple consists of a well-laid cemented path alongside pine and cedar forests. The trail includes gradual ascents and few steep sections but nothing technically challenging. The terrain is a mix of grassland, forests and rocks.
The best thing about the Bijli Mahadev Temple trek is, you can do it with your families and kids (above 7 years). The solo trekkers can also attempt it, no prior trekking experience and particular guidance is needed. The trail is well-marked and locals are helpful.
However, in monsoon, the trail can be slippery and in winter it can be snow-covered so it requires caution. The best time to do this trek is in the spring, summer and autumn seasons.
Overall, the Bijli Mahadev Temple trek is an easy and short trek which gives a fulfilling Himalayan trekking experience. If you just want to start your trekking journey and are looking for an easy one, the Bijli Mahadev Temple trek is perfect for you.
Best time To Visit Bijli Mahadev Temple Trek
Though the Bijli Mahadev Temple trek is all seasoned trek, the ideal time to do it is from March to June and from September to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant and the sky is clear.
March to June (Spring & Summer): Arrival of spring makes the trail alive and by the summer, the trail is full of greenery. The weather is perfect and temperature ranges go between 15°C to 30°C. Clear sky makes the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges visible. The panoramic views of Kullu and Parvati valleys are at their best.
July-August (Monsoon): Heavy rainfall can make the trail slippery and prone to landslides. Thus this window is not recommended to do the Bijli Mahadev Temple trek but adventure seekers can attempt it with caution.
September to November (Autumn): Post-monsoon freshness adds charm to the surroundings. Sky is also clear. The golden hue of autumn makes trails dreamy; perfect for photography. The temperature ranges are between 10°C to 25°C.
December to February (Winter): This time trails can be covered with snow which makes remple inaccessible. Temperature can also drop below 0°C. Due to harsh weather better avoid this window to trek.
How To Reach Bijli Mahadev Temple Trek
The famous Bijli Mahadev Temple is located near the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh. To reach here, first arrive in Kullu.
The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport, located about 10 km from Kullu. You can also reach Kullu by road via regular HRTC and private buses from Delhi (approx 500 km) and Chandigarh (approx 270 km).
From Kullu, travel by road to Chansari Village. It is located around 24 km from Kullu and takes about 1 hr by local bus or taxi.
From Chansari, the trek to Bijli Mahadev Temple is around 3 km uphill. The trail is well-marked and well-paved with stone steps. It takes around 2 hrs to reach the temple. The trail passes through pine and cedar forests and offers scenic views.
Alternatively, you can also reach the Bijli Mahadev Temple from Naggar. But Naggar is a longer trekking route (about 15-16 km). Chansari route is more popular and suitable for beginners, families and casual trekkers.
