Kullu (Himachal Pradesh): Even today, on the mountains of district Kullu in Himachal Pradesh there is a hill where Devraj Indra is following the instructions of Lord Shiva. You will be surprised to know that even today the fierce lightning falls on the temple on the hill, but there is no damage to the temple. Bijli Mahadev's hill is about 7 kilometres from Kullu city.
The temple of Bijli Mahadev, situated at the top of Kharahal valley, remains the centre of faith of millions of people coming from India and abroad. It is believed that the Shivalinga is situated on top of the hill to prevent the demon of the hill from causing trouble to the public. Devraj Indra was ordered to drop the power on the Shivalinga every 12 years.
Shivalinga is shattered by the lightning. After this, the priest collects the pieces of Shivlinga and attaches it to butter after which it is restored in its old form. Even after 12 years, lightning continues to fall on Shivalinga and Lord Shiva continue to safeguard his followers.
It is believed that even today Indra's order is being followed and lightning continues to fall on the Shivlinga. The hill that was built after the slaying of the monster is today known as Bijli Mahadev, which has become the centre of faith for the devotees in the country and abroad.
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There is an ancient temple of Bijli Mahadev at the top of a high mountain near the confluence of Beas and Parvati rivers in Kullu city. There is a belief in the Kullu valley that it is in the form of a giant snake which was slaughtered by Lord Shiva.
It is said that the celestial lightning falls on the Shivlinga, that Lord Shiva did not want that when the lightning falls, it would harm the public and property. Lord Shiva is being referred to as 'Lightning Mahadev'. That is why Lord Shiva is called the power Mahadev in Kullu.
