Dedicated to Goddess Jwala Devi epitome of Shakti or Immense Power. Located at a distance of 34 kilometers to the south of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. The temple was built by Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch. Jwala Devi is also referred to as the Flaming Goddess or the Jwalamukhi Devi
About Jwala Devi: The Jwala Devi is one of the most popular Hindu temples. It is situated on a small branch line on the Shimla to Dharamshala road and at a distance of twenty kilometers from the Jwalamukhi road. The temple is in a town known as Jwalamukhi in Kangra district. This temple is visited by lakhs of devotees every year. Many curious people also visit this place to view the nine jwalas or flames that have been burning for centuries without any fuel. This temple also has a copper pipe through which natural gas is pushed out continuously.
The Jwala Devi Temple is one of the fifty-one Shaktipeeths in India. The beautiful temple is set against a cliff. The dome of the temple is aureate is of gold and has pinnacles. It also has a picturesque folding doorway of silver plate which was gifted by Sikh Raja Kharak Singh. The temple has an Indo-Sikh feel to it.
The Legend: There was once a time when devils dwelled over the Himalayas and hassled the gods. Lord Vishnu and other gods decided to defeat and destroy them once and for all. The gods transformed their energy into huge flames of fire. The devils were destroyed but a girl was born from the fire. The girl came to be known as Goddess Parvati or Sati. After death, the pieces of Sati’s body fell in 51 places. Her tongue fell at Jwalaji and the deity manifested itself as tiny flames that burn blue through cracks in the ancient rocks. The Pandavas have been known to visit the holy shrine on their voyage.
Main Features:
The aarti sessions at the temples are so beautiful and serene that it takes one’s breath away. The Aartis are essential rituals in all the temples in the country. Five Aartis are performed by Pujaris in the worship of Goddess. One aarti is performed in the early morning, one at sunrise, one at mid-noon, one in the evening and one at the bedtime of the Goddess. The names of the aartis are as under:-
1. Mangal Aarti ( Morning 5.00 A.M)
2. Panjupchaar Pujan (After Aarti )
3. Bhog Ki Aarti ( 12.00 A.M)
4. Aarti (Evening 7.00 P.M)
5. Shaiyan Ki Aarti (Evening 10.00 P.M)
However, the Shaiyan Aarti performed at Jawala Ji before bedtime is unique. The bed of the Goddess is decked up with rich dresses and ornaments during aarti. The first part of it is done in the main temple of Goddess and the second part is done in the ‘Sejabhavan’ Salokas from ‘Sondarya Lahri’ by Shri Shankaracharya are recited.
There is no idol in the temple. The goddess is believed to be present in the fire flames. The temple has 9 incessant fire flames that are known as Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vindhya Vasini, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika, and Anji Devi.
The festival at Jwala Devi: During the festival of Navratra thousands of devotees visit the temple to make offerings and receive blessings. Many colorful and joy filled fairs are organized during Navaratri in the months of March-April and September-October.
How to reach: The nearest airport from Jwala Devi temple is at a distance of fifty kilometers at Gaggal. The next closest airport is at Chandigarh at a distance of two hundred kilometers.
The closest railroad track terminal is at Jawalaji road Ranital situated at a distance of twenty kilometers from the temple. One can easily reach Jwala Devi Temple from Kangra by road. Frequent buses or cabs can be hired. The way from Kangra to the shrine is flanked by beautiful hills on both sides.
