Munish Sood
MANDI: In an unprecedented move during the holy month of Sawan, the sacred Bijli Mahadev Temple in Himachal Pradesh has been closed to devotees for the next six months, following what is being described as a divine directive from Lord Shiva himself.
The decision, which has stunned pilgrims and locals alike, was announced by Bijli Mahadev Temple chief priest Virender Singh Jamwal, who stated that the deity, through Gurvani (a traditional divine communication ritual), expressed clear displeasure over the ongoing ropeway construction project near the temple.
“This is not a human decision, but the will of Mahadev. No religious activity will be permitted inside the temple complex until further divine guidance,” said the chief priest.
Perched at an altitude of 2,460 metres in the Kullu valley, the Bijli Mahadev Temple is not only an architectural and spiritual marvel but also a cultural epicentre. It is believed that once every twelve years, a divine lightning strike fractures the temple’s Shivling, which is then ritually repaired using clarified butter, a phenomenon that draws thousands of pilgrims and global curiosity.
However, the sanctity of this revered site is now at the centre of a contentious debate. According to Jamwal, the deity conveyed through Gurvani that no ropeway should be constructed near the temple.
Despite this divine message, the project has moved ahead. A tender was issued to a private firm, tree felling began and 72 trees have already been cut, raising alarm among both religious and environmental groups.
“Even the timber from these felled trees has not been removed because locals have refused to allow it. The deity is clearly angered,” said the chief priest.
Restrictions in place, darshan from a distance
While the main gates of the temple remain open, devotees are barred from entering the inner sanctum. All major religious functions, including community feasts (langar), devotional singing (kirtan), night stays and ceremonial worship, have been suspended.
In a public statement shared on social media, Jamwal clarified that external darshan is still permitted, but no spiritual events will be organized within the compound. These restrictions, he emphasisd, are in strict compliance with the divine instruction and have been in effect since last month.
In what is being described as a first in recorded history, the temple has been closed during the auspicious Sawan month. Traditionally, Bijli Mahadev closes only during peak winter, reopening on Mahashivratri. The current closure has only amplified the sense of divine intervention and public urgency.
Cracks in earth, fears in the valley
Adding to the tension, new cracks have appeared near the temple premises, intensifying concerns among local residents. Many fear that the ropeway construction could disturb the delicate geology and spiritual sanctity of the area.
This is not the first time infrastructure plans have stirred controversy at the site. In 1988, a proposed helipad near the temple was scrapped after widespread public opposition and subsequent natural disturbances — events that villagers still recount with unease.
Silent protest turns vocal
Opposition to the ropeway is gaining momentum. Shivnath, an elderly local and longtime devotee of Bijli Mahadev, has issued a grave warning, threatening self-immolation if the construction continues.
“We stopped the helipad in 1988. Now, we will stop this ropeway — whatever the cost,” Shivnath declared. A massive public demonstration has been scheduled for July 25, with environmentalists, spiritual leaders, and concerned citizens expected to rally under the banner of “Save Bijli Mahadev”.
As the Himachal Pradesh government continues to push forward with the ropeway as a potential boost for tourism, the voice of the deity, relayed with conviction by the chief priest, stands as a spiritual veto.
