Jwalamukhi Temple Kangra Himachal Pradesh History and Interesting Facts

Jwalamukhi Temple Kangra Quick Facts

Jwalamukhi Temple Kangra Overview

Jwalamukhi Temple is located 30 km south of the Kangra Valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Maa Jwalamukhi, this temple is also known as 'Jota Wali Ka Mandir' and 'Nagarkot'. This temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of Mata.

The Temple is unique in comparison to other temples of Mata because no idol is worshiped here, but the nine flames coming out of the womb of the earth are worshipped. Due to the mythological history of the temple, a large number of devotees come here to visit the grand temple.

Jwalamukhi Temple Kangra History

The primary construction of temple built in Himachal Pradesh was done by Raja Bhumi Chand. After this, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Raja Sansarchand got this temple completed in the year 1835. Temple was discovered by the Pandavas. According to religious texts, it is believed that parts of Mother Sati's body fell at 51 places and each of those places is known as Shaktipeeth, this place is also one of those places.

Mythological beliefs of Jwalamukhi Temple:

According to the legend, it is believed that King Daksha Prajapati, the father-in-law of Lord Shiva, had performed a yajna here, in which all the gods and goddesses were invited, but Shiva was not invited. Sati went to her father to get the answer, there her husband

When Shiva came to know that his wife Sati had committed self-immolation, then angry Lord Shiva took out the body of Mother Sati from the Havan Kund and started Tandav, due to which there was an outcry in the whole universe and to save her from this crisis. Lord Vishnu divided the body of Sati into 51 parts with his Sudarshan Chakra, where the body parts of Mother Sati fell, that place became a Shaktipeeth. It is believed that the tongue of Mother Sati had fallen at the place of Jwalaji temple.

Jwalamukhi Temple Kangra Interesting Facts

1. The main entrance of the temple is very beautiful and enchanting. As you enter the temple, there is the Akbar Canal on the left hand side. This canal was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar.
2. In front of it is the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, inside which is seated in the room of Mata Jyoti.
3. In the upper part of the temple, there is a temple of Gorakhnath which is known as Gorakh Dibbi. It is believed that Guru Gorakhnath ji had come here and performed many miracles.
4. The top of the temple is plated with gold.
5. Even today there is a water tank in the temple that seems to be boiling, but in reality, the water is cold.
6. Here Divine lights are continuously lit at 9 places inside the temple. These nine lights are dedicated to Mata Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vindhyavasani, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anjidevi.
7. Emperor Ashoka was very much impressed by the flames emanating from here. He got a gold chhatri installed in the temple, which still protects the flame from water.
8. Another attraction of this place is the copper pipe through which natural gas flows.
9. Aarti timings in the temple are at 5 am and 12 noon, followed by evening aarti at 7 and 10 pm.
10. On both the days of Navratri, a huge fair is organized inside the temple, in which special pujas are performed. Akhand Devi texts are kept and havan is performed with Vedic chanting.
11. Just 4.5 kms from this temple. There is a temple of Nagini Mata at a distance. A fair is organized in this temple in the month of July and August.
12. About 5 KM from the temple. At a distance is the temple of Raghunath ji built by the Pandavas, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Ram, Lakshmana, and Goddess Sita.