Our Faith Is Not for Sale: Locals Rise Against Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Project

Hundreds of voices echoed through the Kullu valley on Friday as residents marched from Ramshila to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Dhalpur, chanting, “Bijli Mahadev is a sacred Devasthan, not a tourist attraction.” Their message was clear: stop the ropeway project that threatens the sanctity of one of Himachal Pradesh’s most revered shrines.

The protest, filled with religious chants and heartfelt slogans, was not just about opposing infrastructure—it was about defending centuries-old traditions. Locals say the proposed ropeway to Bijli Mahadev, perched at 2,460 meters, would commercialize a pilgrimage that’s meant to be a spiritual journey on foot.

“This isn’t just a temple—it’s a living cultural heritage,” said Suresh Negi, President of the Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Protest Committee. “A ropeway will turn it into a picnic spot, stripping away the devotion and discipline that define the pilgrimage.”

Negi also shared that the deity himself, through Dev Vaani (divine message), has rejected the ropeway proposal. “If we ignore the will of the Devta, the consequences won’t just be social—they could be spiritual,” he warned.

The protest drew support from prominent figures like Maheshwar Singh, Chhadibardar of Lord Raghunath ji, and former HPMC Vice-President Ram Singh, who criticized the government for sidelining local voices and sacred traditions in the name of development.

While the government promotes the ropeway as a way to boost tourism and help elderly devotees, locals argue that the uphill trek is an integral part of the spiritual experience. “Walking to the shrine is our offering—it’s how we connect with the divine,” said one protestor.

Environmental concerns also loom large. Protestors and researchers fear that mass tourism could damage the fragile ecosystem, citing past ropeway projects that led to deforestation and pollution.

With no formal response yet from the administration, tensions are rising. The protest committee has warned of intensified agitation if their demands are ignored, including blockades and larger demonstrations.

As the debate unfolds, the Bijli Mahadev ropeway project has become more than a development issue—it’s a symbol of the struggle between modern expansion and the preservation of faith, culture, and ecology in the Himalayas.