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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, 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.
FAIRS
Nagini Mata: The site of a fair held in the months of July/August,
this place is located on the hill above Jawalamukhi.
TEMPLES
Sri Raghunathji Temple: Popularly known as 'Tera' mandir, it
stands at a tilt after the earthquake of 1905. Lord Rama, Laxman and Sita
are said to have stayed here and the first temple is supposed to have been
built by the Pandavas.
Ashtabhuja Temple: This ancient temple has a stone image of the
eight-armed goddess and other smaller shrines adjoin this.
Nadaun: Closely connected with the glory of Kangra's erstwhile
rulers, there are numerous old temples and remains of a couple of old
palaces here.
Chaumukha: There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a huge
four-faced-image.
Panj Teerthi and Mahakalehwar: By the banks of the river Beas and
closely associated with the exile of the Pandavas are these two sacred
places, situated within a few hundred metres of each other.
Bankhandi: Here at the Baglamata temple there is a stone image of
the goddess. At the nearby Shiv temple is a 'linga' said to have been
placed by the Pandavas.
Haripur: There are numerous attractive temples and an old fort
located over here.
FORTS
Mangarh: On a top of a hill is this octagonal fort named after
Raja Mam Chand .
Air: The nearest airport is at Gaggal, 46-km from
Jawalamukhi.
Rail: The nearest railhead is situated at Maranda, 5-km from
Palampur, which connects the town with
Baijnath,
Kangra, Jwalamukhi, Pathankot
and Joginder Nagar.
Road: One can catch regular buses from here to
Dharamsala,
Kangra,
Kullu ,
Mandi and
Shimla via
Mandi .
Accommodation in Jawalamukhi includes HPTDC's Jawalaji
Hotel. Certain resonable options such as Dharamsalas are also available in
Jawalmukhi.