Trekking

Bijli Mahadev Trek: All That You Wanted To Know

I decided to write this piece as we here at the Wildcone have been receiving many queries on the Bijli Mahadev trek.

From young trekkers to elderly men and camping enthusiasts to families, everybody, it seems, wants to be on this mountain top. So without wasting any time, here are the answers to some of your top questions on this beautiful trek. Hope it helps.

1. Where Is Bijli Mahadev located?

Bijli Mahadev is the name of a Shiva temple, which is located at an altitude of around 2400 meters, on the top of a mountain whose base meets the Kullu town in Himachal Pradesh.

2. Why is Bijli Mahadev temple such a popular destination?

There are many reasons. The location of the temple is really breathtaking. Standing on the top of this mountain gives you a 360-degree view of the mighty Himalayas and on a clear night you can watch thousands of houses lighting up the entire valley like twinkling stars. It’s a view you can’t forget the rest of your life.

The high grounds of the mountain top are also a huge draw. In the daytime you can watch the Kullu and Bhuntar towns and also the Parvati valley from the top. Many love to get themselves clicked with airstrip of the Bhuntar airport and the surrounding town down below forming the background. And then there are the religious reasons. It’s a place of pilgrimage. Locals visit the mountain top to pray and pay their obeisance at the temple.

3. Why is Bijli Mahadev called Bijli Mahadev?

The temple is called Bijli Mahadev (The lord Shiva of Lightning) because of a local legend associated with it. According to this legend, lightning struck the idol of Lord Shiva every 12 years during monsoons, breaking it into numerous little pieces and scattering them all over the mountain top. These pieces would later be collected by the temple priest and who then would piece them together in the shape of the original idol using butter as glue. This is also why an annual fair is held at the mountain top during monsoons.

4. Which Is the best route to reach Bijli Mahadev?

There are two routes to reach Bijli Mahadev: The first one starts from near Kullu town and the second one from Jana village. We recommend the second route from Jana village, which is near Naggar, a heritage village. You can reach Naggar from Kullu in an around hour’s time. This trek starts from Jana waterfall. Why we recommend this route? To begin with it’s beautiful. On this trek, you walk on mountain ridges most of the times, cross dense forests and have spectacular views of the valley below. On the other hand, route from Kullu (Ramsheela village to be precise) is populated almost up to the temple (Chansari village to be precise).

On this trek, you cross through multiple villages with hardly any forest areas left. The forests have been cut and there are people everywhere. There is also a road that takes you from Ramsheela to Chansari village and from here Bijli Mahadev is less than an hour’s trek. So if you want to be in the nature then you should start from Jana village. But if you want to go in a cab, then you can follow the Kullu-Ramsheela-Chansari route.

5. How difficult is the Jana-Bijli Mahadev trek?

It’s an easy trek. Anybody in a good physical condition can do this trek. From Jana till Bijli Mahadev, there are no steep patches and it’s mostly plain. This trek is ideal for elderly, first-timers, and families including kids. But hey, any nature lover can and would love to do it.

6. In how many days can I complete this trek?

It’s a perfect weekend trek. You can reach Bijli Mahadev in a day if you walk at a good pace. But ideally, you should give it two days so that you can enjoy the night camping as well.

7. What is the best time to do this trek?

Since it’s a short trek and you don’t reach an altitude of more than 2500 meters, this trek can be done in most months of the year. Some people, who love the rains and snow, like to do this trek even in monsoons and winters. But if you think you’d better do in better weather conditions then avoid in monsoon and winter months.

8. What are the best camping spots on the way?

There are many camping spots on the way but if you want to spend the night in a forest then Mattigochhad should be your first choice. Mattigochhad is in the middle of the pine and Deodar forests. In the morning when you wake up and watch the sunrays filtering through the trees and touching the earth you will be left enchanted by the komorebi.

9. Is there any danger of animals on this trek?

Though there are deep forests on the trek but there have not been any sightings of wild animals. Not at least in many years. So it’s safe. But you better go with a guide if you are doing it for the first time.

10. Can I do this trek alone?

Only if you have done it before. Or if you have previous experience of trekking in the mountains, alone or in a group.

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