The 8th century shikhara (spired) style Basheshar Mahadev temple on the banks of the Beas is one of the oldest in the Kullu valley. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (the third of the Hindu trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer). In the inner sanctum is enshrined a large yoni-lingam. The exterior of this massive pyramidal structure is magnificently decorated with stone images of Vishnu (the Creator), Ganesh (the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity) and Mahishasuramardini (Durga as the slayer of the buffalo-demon, Mahishasura).