Thursday, September 14, 2017

Jwala Devi Mandir

Shri Jwala Devi Mandir is one of the major '51 Shakti Peethas' of India. Jwala Devi Temple is located at a distance of 34 kms in south of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. Even from Dharamshala, it lies at a stretch of 56 kms and moreover, it is easily accessible by the regular buses from both the places. It is here that Sati’s tongue fell which can now be seen in the form of the flame.



This temple is dedicated to Goddesses Jwalamukhi (with flaming mouth, the temple is believed to have nine permanent flames named after the goddesses- Mahakali, Unpurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Bindhya Basni, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi. It is said that centuries ago, a shepherd saw the flames for the first time and Raja Bhumi Chandra, the ruler of the area had the original temple built. The Mughal Emperor Akbar installed a gold parasol and Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the dome gilded. Across the courtyard is Devi’s bed chamber and above the temple is the shrine of Baba Gorakhnath. Jwalamukhi Mandir is built on a wooden platform in the "Indo-Sikh" style of architecture. The structural design of the temple is simple, but the religious aura makes it undoubtedly divine.The dome and spire of this temple are covered with Gold. The main door of the shrine is plated with silver. In front of the main shrine, there is a huge brass bell that was presented by the King of Nepal.

The temple also has a great historical significance dating back to the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar. Amazed at the continuity of these flames, he tried to extinguish these. He tried a lot of methods for this but in vain. Finally, he submitted to the power of the goddess. He went to the shrine bare footed and presented a golden umbrella to the goddess. But the goddess denied this offering and the Chhatra turned into a colossal metal. Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab also paid a visit to the temple in the year 1809. The building of the temple has a gilt dome gifted by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and silver plated folding doors.
Inside the temple, there is a 3 feet square pit with pathway all around. In the centre of which is a hollowed rock over a primary fissure of flame. This one is regarded as the mouth of Mahakali.

The main attraction of the temple is the Aarti session, which is performed five times a day that begins early morning then at sun rise, afternoon, evening and continues till bed time of the goddesses. Apart from these, the evening Aarti (Shaiyan Aarti), performed before bed time is unique and different. The bed of the Goddesses is piled up with rich dresses decorated with precious ornaments.

Besides this main temple, there are Gorakh Dibbi, Chaturbhuj temple and many small shrines situated in the vicinity of Jwalaji temple.

Additional info on http://mandirinfo.com/TempleDetails.aspx?HID=397

1 comment:

हनुमान मंदिर, कनॉट प्लेस

महाभारत कालीन श्री हनुमान जी का एक प्राचीन मंदिर है। यहाँ पर उपस्थित हनुमान जी स्वयंभू हैं। ऐसा कहा जाता है कि मंदिर 1724 ईस्वी के आसपास...