Bijli Mahadev Trek

A prettier route to the famous Bijli Mahadev Temple

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TREK DIFFICULTY

Easy

TREK DURATION

4 days

HIGHEST ALTITUDE

8120 feet

AGE LIMIT

7 to 65 years

Bijli Mahadev is not a new trek in our country. It is, in fact, one of the most popular and oldest treks. It is a trek that takes you to the Shiva temple located on Mathan Hill in Kullu. The popular route to Bijli Mahadev starts from Chansari village and is a short 3 km walk on a well established trail to the top. The whole trek can be completed in half a day. 

What makes this trek stand out is that, at Indiahikes, we have explored an alternative route to the trek. It’s a route that is rarely traversed by anyone. It's a route that takes you through the remote villages and the best forests of Kullu Valley, letting you experience the charm of this historical place without the crowds.

The main highlight of this trek is the magical pine and deodar forest trails. On most of our treks, the forest trails are narrow, forcing you to stick to them. On the Bijli Mahadev trek, the trail is wide enough for you to explore the length and breadth of these forests. This wide trail in the forest allows you to camp amidst the tall pine and deodar trees, something that you rarely get to experience on our Himachal treks.

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Did you know if you are doing the trek with your family, you can avail a 30% scholarship for your child? Read more here.

The views from the Bijli Mahadev temple are equally stunning. On a clear day, you get to see the panorama of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. We have designed our itinerary in such a way that you get to witness the sunset from the top and the stunning alpenglow on these majestic peaks. You also get to see not one or two, but four valleys: Kullu, Bhuntar, Parbati, and Gorsa.

This trek is like a cultural gem for those interested in learning about the Kullu Valley. The villages, the buildings, the people, and the culture are like a living storybook of history. The starting point of the trek, Kot village, is a good opportunity for you to get a glimpse of the remote Himalayan village.

In addition to all these, the Bijli Mahadev trek is an easy one, making it an ideal trek for absolute beginners and families. You get to experience all the goodness of the outdoors without the worry of getting prepared for a trek. So if you are someone who wants to do a trek but does not have enough time to prepare, this is a trek made for you.

Bijli Mahadev is not a new trek in our country. It is, in fact, one of the most popular and oldest treks. It is a trek that takes you to the Shiva temple located on Mathan Hill in Kullu. The popular route to Bijli Mahadev starts from Chansari village and is a short 3 km walk on a well established trail to the top. The whole trek can be completed in half a day. 

What makes this trek stand out is that, at Indiahikes, we have explored an alternative route to the trek. It’s a route that is rarely traversed by anyone. It's a route that takes you through the remote villages and the best forests of Kullu Valley, letting you experience the charm of this historical place without the crowds.

Bijli Mahadev Trek - Complete Trek Information

We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.

Use this section to learn about the Bijli Mahadev Trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.

Expert Speak

Abhishek Tiwari

Slope Manager, Indiahikes

Abhishek Tiwari

Slope Manager, Indiahikes

Abhishek is a slope manager at Indiahikes. Before transitioning into the slope manager's role, he was a trek leader and has led many treks at Indiahikes. Abhishek explored the alternative route to the Bijli Mahadev Temple and fell in love with what this short 3-day trek has to offer. Here's what he has to say about the trek.

What I Like About The Bijli Mahadev Trek

Abhishek Tiwari

Slope Manager, Indiahikes

Abhishek is a slope manager at Indiahikes. Before transitioning into the slope manager's role, he was a trek leader and has led many treks at Indiahikes. Abhishek explored the alternative route to the Bijli Mahadev Temple and fell in love with what this short 3-day trek has to offer. Here's what he has to say about the trek.

1. Serene walk in pine and deodar forests

Just 15 minutes into the trek from Kot village, you enter the forest section. The way the forests are layered on the Bijli Mahadev trek is unique. Unlike most forest walks, the trails are wide and flat. You can see through it for a long distance.

On the very first day of the trek, you camp amidst these trees, which is again an experience to cherish.

On most of your travels, you get to experience sunsets from either mountains or beaches. On this trek, you get to experience them in the forests. As the sun sets on the horizon, the forest floor gets lit up by the evening sunlight. It’s a sight to behold. 

Walking in the Borsu pine forest section is a beautiful experience that stays with you for a long time. Photo by Abhishek Tiwari

2. The view of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges from the top

The rewards you get on this trek are way more than the effort you put in. From the Bijli Mahadev temple, you get to witness some of the prominent peaks, such as Deo Tibba, Hanuman Tibba, Friendship Peak, and Parvati Parbath, among others peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar Ranges.
Along with the peaks, you get to witness four valleys from the peak: Parbati, Gorsa, Kullu, and Bhuntar Valley. Something you don't get to see often.

If you are lucky with clear skies, you will even witness the confluence of the Beas and Parvati Rivers down the valley.

As you trek to the top during sunset, witnessing the alpen glow on the snow-capped mountains is a bonus. Photo by Abhishek Tiwari

3. The drive from Manali to Kot village

The journey from Manali to Kot is one of the most picturesque ones.

As you are driving to Kullu, the Beas River accompanies you. It flows down the valley just beside the road. The route goes downhill, winding through the mountains with apple trees lining both sides. The scenery changes with each turn.

Once you reach Kullu, the next leg of the journey involves a steep climb to Kot village, through sharp multiple hairpin bends. As you go further up the valley, you get to see a bird's-eye view of the entire Kullu valley. Just 4 kilometres before Kot village, you start seeing the peaks of the Pir Panjal range.

5 Reasons Why Indiahikes

We are India’s safest trekking organisation

When we brought out new trails in Indian trekking, safety came with us. Back in 2012, we were the first to introduce microspikes, and two years later, pulse oximeters became standard thanks to us. Nobody does safe treks like Indiahikes. In the mountains, emergencies don't care who you're with – everyone knows that when trouble hits, you look for the yellow tents of Indiahikes.

We are pioneers of treks in India

We are pioneers in trekking. Since 2007, we have brought out treks that have become India's most famous treks: Roopkund, Rupin Pass, Buran Ghati, Kedarkantha, Kashmir Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Brahmatal, Phulara Ridge—the list goes on. In 2023 alone, we brought out five new treks in Indian trekking. We know treks better than anyone. This comes directly from the reason why Indiahikes was born: to bring out trek information and enable trekkers to trek on their own.

We are India’s largest trekking organisation

More than 25,000 people trek with us every year. We are the largest trekking organisation in India. 24% of our trekkers come back to trek with us every year. Over 4,000 students from the top educational institutions trek with us every year. Aside from this, families with children choose to trek with Indiahikes knowing that our treks are the safest. We have taken over 8000 children trekking so far, and the number continues to grow.

Our treks are transformative

We focus on designing transformative experiences. Our trek leaders conduct thought-provoking exercises that help you reflect and contemplate. This impact stays with you for a long time. Trekkers return feeling energised, more confident, or developing abilities to deal with difficulties. Many have changed careers, rethought their core values, become more humble, shown gratitude to others, or started a new fitness journey.

We are India's most sustainable trekking organisation

Since 2012, we have pioneered sustainable practices that have become standard in trekking. Using eco-bags, our trekkers have cleared over 120 tonnes of litter from the mountains. We do not carry packaged foods; instead, we serve freshly made food. We do not light campfires; we carry coal to light angethis to keep you warm. Our bio-toilets not only keep our toilets odour-free but also enrich the soil. When you trek with us, you leave mountains better.

Indiahikes Features

You’re guarded with our trek again philosophy

If you are unable to complete a trek, or if you love a trek, you can repeat it with us anytime. You don’t have to pay us for it. See our thoughts behind this here.

Daily 3-time health checks keep you safe at any altitude

Our thrice-a-day oxi-metre checks keep altitude sickness at bay, never allowing you to reach a point where you need evacuation.

Join any group, they are all women-friendly groups 

With around 30% of our trekkers being women, all women, including those travelling solo are comfortable to join any of our groups.

Request Jain/Vegan-friendly food

Our kitchen teams understand your needs as a vegan (or a Jain). We will take special care of your food, even in the remote Himalayas. 

Be comfortable and sustainable with bio toilets

We have specially designed bio toilets to ensure you have no sight or smell in toilets, at the same time making sure the toilets cause no harm to the fragile ecosystem we trek in.

Fresh, nutritious food at every camp

We’ll admit it. Our love for food surpasses our love for minimalism. Expect freshly cooked, multi-cuisine food at all camps, designed to meet your nutritional requirements and keep your taste buds happy!