Baijnath is a small town about 16 km from Bir by road, and its ancient Shiva temple is one of the finest examples of North Indian Nagara-style temple architecture in Himachal Pradesh. The main shikhara (tower) soars above the town and dates to the 13th century, though the site is thought to be much older. The sanctum houses a self-manifested Shivalinga — not crafted by human hands, according to tradition — and the surrounding courtyard is filled with smaller shrines, carved panels, and inscriptions in classical Sanskrit.
The walk from Baijnath bus stand to the temple takes less than five minutes; the town itself is a pleasant end point for the stupa-trail walk from Sherab Ling monastery. A bus back to Bir leaves regularly from the bus stand, and fresh-squeezed orange juice stalls cluster nearby. Visit early in the morning when devotees are performing puja and the light catches the carved sandstone at its best.