Solan (Himachal Pradesh): Amid the picturesque mountains of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh lies a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva which is frequented by devotees who offer unlit cigarettes to their beloved God.
These cigarettes light up on their own as soon as they are placed on the Shiva Linga - an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva in Shaivism - and it appears as though Lord Shiva is puffing tobacco as devotees watch smoke emanating from the cigarettes offered to the Linga.
Located at a distance of four kilometres from Arki in Solan district of the Himalayan state, Lutru Mahadev Temple is a popular tourist destination as well as a pilgrimage site.
It was built by the King of Baghal in 1621 after Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and asked him to construct the temple. It also served as the resting place of Agastya - a revered Vedic sage of Hinduism.
"This cave has been here for centuries now. Agastya Muni used to meditate here, and Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and asked him to save the earth from the wrath of Samudra- the sea God, " said the temple priest.
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A prominent site during the popular Hindu festival 'Maha Shivratri' - celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva, and marks the consummation of Shiva's marriage - the temple is visited by devotees from the across the state and country.
Trivia on the temple:
The Shiva Linga at the temple is full of pits which enables the devotees to stick cigarettes to it, unlike other Linga's.
The roof of the cave housing the temple is quite uneven with the rocks above taking the shape of a cow's udder. Locals believe that milk used to flow from these udder-shaped rocks on the Shiva Linga.
The cave is believed to have served as the 'Karma Sthal' (workplace) of Hindu Lord Parshuram.
