Weird Tale of JWALAMUKHI MANDIR
JWALAMUKHI Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Location: 34-km South Of Kangra
Altitude: 1,737m
Houses: Jwalamukhi Devi Temple
Main Attraction: March-April & September-October Navaratra Celebrations
Famous As A: Hindu Pilgrimage
The Flaming Goddess
Jwalamukhi is 34-km from Kangra and 56 km from Dharamsala. Recognised as one of the 51 Shaktipiths of India, Jwalamukhi’s Devi Temple, tended by the followers of Goraknath, is set against a cliff. The picturesque temple, built against a wooded spur, in the Indo-Sikh style, has a dome that was gilded by Mughal Emperor Akbar.
An eternally burning flame that issues from a hollow rock in the sanctum is considered the manifestation of the goddess Devi. During March-April and September-October every year colourful fairs are held during the Navaratra celebrations.
THE LEGEND OF JWALAMUKHI
Jwalamukhi is a famous temple of goddess Jwalamukhi, often referred as the “GODDESS OF LIGHT”, the deity of flaming mouth, built over some natural jets of combustible gas, believed to be the manifestation of the Goddess. The building is modern with a gilt dome and pinnacles, and possesses a beautiful folding door of silver plates.
Under the gaze of the Dhauladhar range and set amidst the undulating hills that character sub-Himalayan Himachal Sati’s tongue is believed to have fallen at Jwalamukhi and the goddess is manifest as tiny flames that burn a flawless blue through fissures in the age old rock.
Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch of Kangra, a great devotee of goddess Durga, dreamt of the sacred place and the Raja set people to find out the whereabouts of the site. The site was traced and the Raja built a temple. The burning flames and the complex have come to be known as Jwalamukhi.
The temple located on a small spur on the Dharamsala-Shimla road at a distance of about 20-kms from the Jwalamukhi Road Railway Station attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. No idol is located in the temple but only the flames, which come out from the crevices of the rock, are worshipped. They are natural jets of combustible gas.
There is a small platform in front of the temple and a(check usage) big mandap where a huge brass bell presented by the King of Nepal is hung. Usually milk and water are offered and the ahutis or oblations are offered to the sacred flames in the pit, situated in the centre of the temple in between the floor pillars supporting the roof.
The deity is- offered Bhog of Rabri or thickened milk, Misri or candy, seasonal fruits, milk and arti is done. There is a mystic Yantar or diagram of the goddess, which is covered with, shawls, ornaments and mantras are recited. The puja has different ‘phases’ and goes on practically the whole day. Arti is done five times in the day, Havan is performed once daily and portions of “Durga Saptasati” are recited.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh paid a visit to the temple in 1815 and the dome of the temple was gold-plated by him. Just a few feet above the Jwalamukhi temple there is a six-feet deep pit with a circumference of about three-feet. At the bottom of this pit there is another small pit about one and a half feet deep with hot water bubbling all the time.
prateek said
Nice blog shawls and
scarves.
Rahul said
I couldn’t understand the title as “Weird Tale….”. The author should be ashamed of using such derogatory and demeaning words for any deities which are a constant source of karmic energy to millions.
sibasish29 said
Mr Rahul i dont think anything derogatory hav been used here…
the tale in this mandir is indeed weird sumthng which is unbelieveable…. so it is stated as weird
and there is nothng 2 b ashamed 2 call it weird… it is really weird but true… n this does not disrespect the deity by calling it weird
I think u need to get some English classes dude………
The post made by Mr Rahul could be deleted.. but we hav decided 2 keep it because it allows u 2 voice ur opinion
So guys plz comment in it
CloummaFlinia said
Yes Sibasish u r rite ther is no wrong in calling it weird, man plz learn the use of English. And Sibasish u r doin really gr8. Me and some of my frnds in Germany follow ur posts regularly, u r always introducing new corners in this blog which is really amazing. Keep it up. Our blessings are always wit u.
Claudia from Germany
astrology said
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Prakash Nath said
Hello Mr. Sibasish, I am the cheif maketing head of Tissot Watches India. Your blog is simply amazing, I really like all your work, so can we get into business, since this blog is one of the most popular blog running across so if you allow some advertisement through your blog we will be highly obliged. So I kindly request you to endorse this product through your blog. It wil be really a pleasure if Sibasish Foundation works in association with Tissot Watches.
Prakash Nath
sibasish29 said
Mr Rahul i dont think anything derogatory hav been used here…
the tale in this mandir is indeed weird sumthng which is unbelieveable…. so it is stated as weird
and there is nothng 2 b ashamed 2 call it weird… it is really weird but true… n this does not disrespect the deity by calling it weird
I think u need to get some English classes dude………
The post made by Mr Rahul could be deleted.. but we hav decided 2 keep it because it allows u 2 voice ur opinion
So guys plz comment in it
Rani said
This is an amazin blog. I heard u r only 19yrs gr8 wrk.
I love you.
bvlgari sunglasses said
Hi, I applaud your blog for informing people, very interesting article, keep up it coming