Bijli Mahadev Temple in Himachal Pradesh Closes for Winter Season

Annual Winter Closure of Bijli Mahadev Temple

Munish Sood
MANDI:
The esteemed Bijli Mahadev Temple, located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, has officially entered its winter closure phase, meaning it will be inaccessible to devotees for the next three months. The temple doors were ceremoniously shut in accordance with longstanding religious customs, and regular worship will not resume until mid-March.

As per the temple administration, the shrine is set to reopen on March 15. However, devotees will have the opportunity to offer prayers for two days during the Mahashivratri festival, marking a rare exception to the closure.

Bijli Mahadev is revered as the primary deity of the Kullu Valley, and this annual closure is a tradition that has been observed for many years. From mid-December to mid-March, the temple remains closed as it is believed that the valley's deities retreat for a period of spiritual reflection.

Fateh Singh Rana, treasurer of the Bijli Mahadev Temple Committee, noted that the closure aligns with Paush Sankranti, which signifies the start of a sacred period when local deities are thought to embark on a divine journey. While some deities return during Magh Sankranti and Phalgun Sankranti, Bijli Mahadev is believed to return only on Chaitra Sankranti, celebrated with a religious fair.

Time of Meditation and Sacred Silence

The temple is regarded as the spiritual center for 18 Kardoo deities, who are believed to engage in deep meditation during this time. To maintain the sanctity of this spiritual observance, strict silence is enforced within and around the temple grounds.

During this period, all public worship is halted. No priests are present, daily rituals are suspended, and only a caretaker remains to oversee the temple's safety. Activities that could disrupt the tranquility of the area are strictly forbidden during the closure.

Temple officials have requested that devotees and tourists avoid visiting the shrine until it reopens, except for the limited darshan allowed during Mahashivratri.

Extended Wait for Devotees This Year

Although the winter closure is a regular occurrence, this year has presented an unusually long wait for devotees. The temple was also closed during the holy month of Shravan in 2025 due to confidential religious activities, preventing pilgrims from visiting during a significant time in the Shaivite calendar.

With the winter closure now in effect, regular access to the shrine will not resume until next year, marking one of the longest gaps for devotees in recent history.

Situated on a picturesque hill and famous for the mystical lightning ritual that occasionally strikes the Shivling, Bijli Mahadev remains a beacon of faith for many. As the temple enters its quiet winter phase, devotees throughout the region eagerly await the return of Mahadev in the spring.