A Small trek to Bijli Mahadev @ Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Recently I visited Bijli Mahadev, which is a small trek from Kullu. Since there is a road now, so we had to trek 3 km only. Its really an amazing place to visit and this was the best place I visited during my recent Kullu-Manali trip of four days. I visited many places like Rohtang, Solang, Vishishth, Naggar, Kullu, Manali, Manimahesh etc, but the best part was trekking experience to Bijli Mahadev...

Bijli Mahadev is one of the sacred temples of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of about 2,438 m in the Kullu Valley. Bijli Mahadev is one of the excellent temples in India. Located 10 km from Kullu across the Beas river, it can be approached by a difficult but rewarding trek of 3 km.

Hill top where Bijli Mahadev Temple is situated...

Whole space was covered with Deodars & Clouds...

I had never imagined such a huge ground on the top of a hill...

Sun was strugging hard with Clouds to see us...

Horse Riding @ Bijli Mahadev

We were impressed with cleaniness of the place, fresh clouds, high deodars & blue sky....

Finally Sun came out but dispersed through Deodars...

A panoramic view of Kullu and Paravati valleys can be seen from the temple. The 60 feet high staff of Bijli Mahadev temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun.

Bad Editing... I made this grass yellow :(

These two guys were moving on the edges to see Kullu, Manikaran, Malana & bhuntar Airport... All these places are clearly visible form top... I will share more pics of these places soon...

You can see very small houses behind Deodars... this is Kullu Town... If you can't see in this pic, visit the place :)

Apple Tree and Clouds...

Tents @ Bijli Mahadev

Cloud shapes...

In this temple of lightning it is said that the tall staff attracts the divine blessings in the form of lightning. It is believed that the priest of the temple has to restore the Shiva linga placed inside the temple using butter and sattoo after every lightning as it shatters to pieces with flash of lightening.One can reach Kullu first and then get a bus from the bus stand for Bijli Mahadev which goes upto the nearby Chansari village. Otherwise one can book a private cab from the Kullu taxi stand near bus stand and go. One has to climb stairs from Chansari, the distance being about 3 km uphill.

Bijli Mahadev is one of the sacred temples of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of about 2,438 m in the Kullu Valley. Bijli Mahadev is one of the excellent temples in India. Located 10 km from Kullu across the Beas river, it can be approached by a difficult but rewarding trek of 3 km.

Since its on the top of a hill at 2,438 m, most of the neighboring areas can be viewed from the top...

Bridge over Beas river connecting Bhutar to Maikaran..

Bhuntar Airport...

A View of Kullu town from Bijli Mahadev....

Bhuntar Region which is clearly visible from back side of Bijli Mahadev Temple..

Again a view of Kullu town...

Nitin trying to capture Manikaran Valleys in his Camera by sitting on the edge @ Bijli Mahadev

A View of Kasol & Malana Region from Bijli Mahadev...

Bijli Mahadev Trek @ Kullu, Himahcal Pradesh

Panoramic view of Kullu town and bhuntar Airport from Bijli Mahadev @ himahcal pradesh

Baijnath, The land of Shiva @ Kagra, Himachal Pradesh

Baijnath is famous for its 13th century temple dedicated to Siva as Vaidyanath, ‘the Lord of physicians’. Originally known as Kiragrama, the town lies on Pathankot-Chakki-Manali highway (National Highway No. 20) almost midway between Kangra and Mandi. The present name Baijnath became popular after the name of the temple. The town is located on the left bank of the river Binwa, a corrupt form of ancient Binduka, a tributary of river Beas.

Front View of main temple @ Baijnath

Closer look to the Temple...

Another temple on the left of main Temple...

Entry for Temple from Main Market...

Temple view from backyard...

Green garden in the back side of Shiva Temple...

Rays coming out through clouds..

Sunset time @ Baijnath

According to the legend, it is believed that during the Treta Yug, Ravana in order to have invincible powers worshiped Lord Shiva in the Kailash. In the same process, to please the almighty he offered his ten heads in the havan kund. Influenced by this extra ordinary deed of the Ravana, the Lord Shiva not only restored his heads but also bestowed him with powers of invincibility and immortality.

On attaining this incomparable boon, Ravana also requested the Lord Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Shiva consented to the request of Ravana and converted himself into Shivling. The Lord Shiva asked him to carry the Shivling and told him that he should not place the Shivling down on the ground on his way. Ravana started moving south towards Lanka and reached Baijnath where he felt the need to answer the nature’s call. On seeing a shepherd, Ravana handed over the Shivling to him and went away to get himself relieved. On finding the Shivling very heavy, shepherd kept the ling on the ground and the Shivling got established there and the same is in the form of Ardhnarishwar (God in form of Half Male & Half Female).

In the town of Baijnath, Dussehra festival in which traditionally the effigy of the Ravana is consigned to flames is not celebrated as a mark of respect to the devotion of Ravana towards Lord Shiva. Another interesting thing about the town of Baijnath is that there is no shop of goldsmiths.

Toy Train which crosses Hiils & Valleys of Kangra District : Pathankot to Jogindernagar

I visited Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra, Dharmashala & other surrounding areas many times but never got a chance to enjouy the toy train journey between Pathankot & Jogindernagar.

Patahnkot is in Punjab & Jogindarnagar is in Mandi district of Himachal but when you opt for the train journey, your train crosses most of the Kangra District region which is known for its beautiful valleys.

Recently when I visited Palampur, one of my friend was telling me about this railway track. This railway track was built during 1926-1929 and was opened for transporting raw material for construction of Shanan Power House(Joginder-nagar) on April 1st, 1929

Unlike the Shimla-Kalka train, where the passengers spend most of the time going through tunnels, the Kangra toy train linking Pathankot and Jogindernagar gently meanders through a maze of hills and valleys, offering the travelers enchantingly scenic view.

The work on this line started in 1926. Three years later this, 163 km. long route was opened to traffic. The entire route commands glorious views of nature and unveils myriad facets of history, art and culture. The grand spectacle of Kangra Valley begins unfolding after the train enters the foothills. Hillocks rise on both sides and as the train moves over the meandering streams, the Dhauladhar begin to gain in prominence. Emerging through Daulatpur tunnel and past the ruins of the old Kangra fort, one is surprised by the change in the landscape.

The Dhauladhar rises up 13,000 feet from the valley floor. The wide Kangra Valley, with its well-watered terraces, is simply superb. As the train inches on, the passengers adore the open countryside and the shining white peaks. An unmistakable pine scent fills the air and the track is suddenly fringed on both sides by the tea gardens of the Palampur region. The stretch between Baijnath and Joginder Nagar is the steepest. Here the train moves at a snail's pace till it reaches the highest point on the track at Ahju. Not far from here are the popular para-gliding and hang-gliding sites of Bir and Billing. As the train approaches Joginder Nagar, the white mountains, gradually begin fading away.

As of now I don't have any photograph of Kangra valleys & hills which come on the way but I will try to get some pics soon...