In the valleys of Himachal Pradesh, there’s a temple where the Shivalinga shatters every 12 years. Furthermore, you’ll be amazed to learn the method used to reassemble it.
We’re talking about the Bijli Mahadev Temple, located high in the Kullu district. This is a place surrounded by cool air and pine forests, where a miraculous miracle occurs every 12 years. The Shivalinga here literally shatters.
Located about 20 kilometers from Kullu and at an altitude of approximately 7,874 feet above sea level, this temple is as simple as it appears, yet its tradition is equally extraordinary. Locals say that lightning strikes the Shivalinga every 12 years. This isn’t considered an accident, but rather a divine act of Lord Shiva. It’s believed that Lord Shiva himself allows lightning to strike him, so that impending disasters on Earth can be averted.
When lightning strikes, the Shivalinga breaks into several pieces with a loud bang, but this very breaking is the most unique part of the tradition here. After a few days, the temple priests and local people apply a paste of butter and sattu and skillfully join the broken pieces. Gradually, the paste hardens, and the Shivalinga appears as it did before. This process seems nothing short of miraculous.
There is also a mythological tale associated with the temple. It is said that a demon named Kulant wanted to drown the entire valley by blocking the Beas River. He took the form of a python and began terrorizing the people, when Lord Shiva appeared and fought him. Kulant was defeated and died when his tail caught fire. It is believed that the Bijli Mahadev Temple was established on the mountain where his body fell. Therefore, it is also called Kulant Peetha.
