Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, Kangra
– Religious Significance
Shakti Peeth:
The shrine is regarded as a Maha
Shakti Peetham. It is believed that Sati
Devi's tongue fell here. Shakti
Peethas are shrines of Devi, the
primordial Mother Goddess. Each Shakti Peetha has a shrine for the Shakti and
Bhairava. Siddhida (Ambika) is the Shakti and Unmatta Bhairava is the Kala
Bhairava. Daksha Yaga and Sati's
self-immolation had immense significance in shaping the ancient Sanskrit
literature and even had impact on the culture of India. It led to the
development of the concept of Shakti
Peethas and there by strengthening Shaktism.
Enormous stories in puranas took the Daksha Yaga
as the reason for its origin. It is an important incident in Shaivism resulting
in the emergence of Parvati in the place of Sati Devi
and making Shiva a grihastashrami (house holder).
Hindu Genealogy Registers:
Hindu genealogy registers at Jwalamukhi are
the genealogy registers of
pilgrims maintained there by pandas.
Temple Administration:
Earlier, this temple was
administered by the descendants of Raja. After Independence, this temple was
declared as the site of Cultural Heritage and that time onwards, it is under
the management of the Government. There are not less than 102 priests to look
after the sermons of the temple and even these priests are paid by the
Government.
Goddess of Flames:
Unlike any other temple, Jwala
Ji temple doesn’t have a statue or an image, but a constantly burning blue
flame that seems to come from the rocks. The flame can be seen at various
places in the temple and it is burning continuously since first
date of its known history. Despite many scientific researches, the reason
behind these natural flames couldn’t be found out. The scientists say
there is a sleeping volcano under Jwala Ji temple and the natural gas coming
out of that volcano is burning as flames, which Hindus revere as Goddess.
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