Infrastructure
Bijli Mahadev Temple In Himachal To Be Connected By Ropeway, Nitin Gadkari Lays Foundation Stone For 2-Km Project
A ropeway. (Representative image)
Paving the way for all-weather connectivity to Himachal Pradesh’s Bijli Mahadev temple, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for the 2-km-long ropeway to the sacred shrine on 5 March.
This ropeway, starting from Mohal in Kullu, is poised to enhance spiritual tourism in the area, attracting visitors from across the country who come to seek blessings at the renowned shrine of Bijli Mahadev.
Presently, reaching the temple entails a challenging 3 km trek, limiting accessibility for many pilgrims.
The completion of the ropeway project will significantly shorten the journey to Bijli Mahadev temple, reducing it from the current 2 hours and 30 minutes to a mere seven minutes.
The project, estimated to cost over Rs 270 crore, is slated for completion by July 2026. It is being executed on a design, build, operate, and transfer (hybrid-annuity) basis. Once operational, it will ensure all-weather connectivity for up to 36,000 pilgrims daily.
Unique Phenomenon
Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,460 m in the Kharahal valley, the temple is renowned for its unique natural phenomenon.
Every 12 years, lightning strikes the Shiv-lingam, causing it to shatter into fragments. The temple priest meticulously reassembles these pieces, covering them with butter. After a few days, the lingam is restored to its original form until another lightning strike occurs.
The site earns its name, Bijli Mahadev, from these periodic flashes of lightning (bijli), which is believed to be divine protection from Lord Shiva (Mahadev) for his devotees.
Earlier, in April 2022, a memorandum of understanding to construct ropeway projects under the ambitious Parvatmala Yojana was signed between the National Highways Logistics Management Limited and the state government of Himachal Pradesh.
By leveraging world class technology, 28 ropeway projects are being constructed in the state, at a total cost of Rs 16,000 crore.
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