Jwala Devi Temple
About Jwala Devi Temple
Far From City: 25 kms from city center
Cost:
About Jwala Devi Temple
Weather:
Time Required:1-2 hrs
Cost:No entry fee
History of Jwala Devi Temple
According to legend, Jwala Devi temple stands in the place where the flaming tongue of Goddess Sati fell when she sacrificed herself. The temple was built by Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch to enshrine the holy spot. It is said that the Pandavas also helped the king in building the temple. However, the temple was actually completed in the 19th century.
The story goes that, several thousand years ago, a cowherd found that one of his cows was always without milk. He followed the cow one day and saw a little girl coming out of the forest and drinking all the milk. He reported this to Raja Bhumi Chand who sent his soldiers into the forest to find the holy spot where Ma Sati's tongue has fallen as he believed that the little girl somehow represented the goddess. After some years, the flames were found in the mountain and the king built a temple around it. It is also fabled that the Pandavas visited this temple and renovated it. The folk song "Panjan Panjan Pandavan Tera Bhawan Banaya" lies testimony to this belief.
During the Mughal period, Akbar tried to extinguish the flames many times, but they kept on burning in all their divine glory. It is said that when a humbled Akbar went to pay his homage to the flames and offered a golden "chhatra" or umbrella to the Goddess, the gold turned into an unknown metal as a signal that the Goddess has refused his offering. The temple is one of the 51 shaktipeeths and of immense religious importance to the Hindus.
Architecture of Jwala Devi Temple
The Jwala Devi temple follows an Indo-Sikh style of architecture. The architecture was influenced by the style of the most dominant rulers of this area. It is built on a wooden platform and is four-cornered with a small dome on the top. There is a square central pit where the eternal flames burn. There are pits in front of the flames too where the flowers and other offerings are kept. The dome and the spire of the temple were covered by gold which was gifted by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Maharaja Kharak Singh, Ranjit Singh's son, gifted the silver which was used to cover the main door of the temple. The brass bell in front of the shrine was an offering by the King of Nepal.
The temple looks beautiful with its golden dome and silver doors glittering in the surrounding greenery. Even if the visitors are not interested in the religious aspect of this place, the architecture of the temple could be an object of much observation and admiration.
Rituals in Jwala Devi Temple
The Aarti that is performed by the priests in the temple is the main attraction of the temple. Five aartis and one hawan is performed in this temple during the course of the day. The devotees offer rabri, misri, chunri, milk, flowers and fruits to the goddess as a sign of their devotion. Of course, the eternal flames are a holy spectacle for the pilgrims. Besides the sanctum sanctorum, there are several small shrines in the complex including Gorakh Dibbi and Chaturbhuj Temple. The temple is situated beside a cliff and the view from the top might invoke piousness in the most staunch of atheists.
Best time to visit Jwala Devi Temple
Navaratri is a popular time to visit this holy pilgrimage. The visitors might also keep in mind that the temple arranges for colourful fairs in the months of March-April and September-October.
How to Reach Jwala Devi Temple
Regular buses are available from Kangra to the Jwala Devi temple. Visitors can also hire cabs if necessary.
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