Jwala Devi Temple is located at the Jwalamukhi Town (Kangra District) of Himachal Pradesh. Thw is temple is one of the 51 Shakitipeeth in India. There are several temples dedicated to the Jwala Ji but which the one in Kangra district is believed to be the most auspicious. Jwala Devi temple has eternal flames continue to burn. There are nine such flames. There is no idol because the Goddess is considered to be residing in the form of flames. Being an important pilgrimage of the Hindus, devotees come to this temple in large numbers.
There are several stories about Jwala Devi Temple.
It is believed when goddess Sati burned herself in the Yagna Kund. Lord Shiva picked her body and started Tandav. After this Lord Vishnu cut the body of Goddess in several parts. At the places where the pieces fell, the fifty-one sacred ‘Shaktipeeths’ came into being. “Sati’s tongue fell at Jawalaji. The goddess is manifest as flames and burn flawless.
It is also said that once a farmer found that one of his cow always was without milk. One day he pursued the cow and found that a girl coming from the forest and dranking the cow’s milk. Then the farmer went to King and told him the story. The king searched for that girl but didn’t succeed. After few years same farmer came to King and told that he saw a flame burning in the mountains. Then the king found that spot of holy flame. He built a temple there.
Once, Mughal Emperor Akbar had tried to extinguish the flames by channelling water on them. But the flames burned continuously. After this he tried to cover the blame with large iron disk but this time he also got failed.
The temple is beside the mountain. The temple has Indo-Sikh style of architecture. First built by the Sikh Raja Kharak Singh, the temple is ornate and heavily embellished with a gilt dome, lots of gold and decorated pinnacles. There are upstairs to reach the main temple. Before the main complex there is a main gate which is coated with white paint and crafted also. As you reach the compound the main temple is situated on the left.
A temple also situated on the right which has gold plated Shikhars. There are several temples in the Jwala devi temple compound. The main flame burns in a small pit. The surface of the temple is carved with white marble. The temple compound is huge and has many temples. Many temples have gold Plated Shikhars.
The main attraction of the temple is continuously burning nine flames. This is one of the 51 Shaktipeeth of goddess Sati. There is not any idol of Jwala Devi but consider the flame as Goddess Jwala. There is a Yagna Kund where yagna has performed every day. Devotees from across the country come here to receive blessings of the goddess.
Jwalamukhi Fair – This fair is organised twice in a year. Devotees came from all over the India. The go round to Jwala Kund, where the sacred burn. During the Navaratri it becomes the centre of religious activities.
The temple opened for visitors every morning at 5.00 a.m. and close 10.00 p.m. in summer. The timing in the winter is 6.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m.
Mangal Aarti – This Aarti performed at 6.00 a.m in the morning. This is the first Aarti of the day.
Panjupchaar Aarti – It performed after the Mangal Aarti.
Bhog Ki Aarti – It is performed at the 11.00 a.m. This is the third Aarti of the day.
Evening Aarti – This Aarti performed at the evening at 7.00 p.m.
Shiyan Aarti – This is the last Aarti of the day and it is performed at the 9.00 p.m.
The temple is located at Jwalamukhi, District kangra of Himachal Pradesh. This is 30 km away from Kangra valley.
By Air – The nearest airport is Dharmashala airport. This is 46 km away from the temple. The airport is connected with some specific cities of the India.
By Rail – The nearest railway station is kangra Railway station of Narrow gauge, which is barely 2 km away from the temple. The broadguage railway station is Pathankot which is 123 km away from the temple.
By Road – The Jwalamukhi temple is 30 km from the Kangra. You can pick public buses from the Dharamshala. You can also reach by your own private vehicle.
Summer – During the months of summer (Mar to June) it extremely hot the temperature can be rise upto 37 degree. The average annual temperature of the Kangra is 21 degree celcius.
Monsoon – In the monsoon there can be heavy rainfall. The mountains are unpredictable during the monsoon.
Winter – In the winter the temperature can reach sub zero level.
The temple is run by the Jwalamukhi Mandir Nyas.
Q. How far is Jwalamukhi temple from dharamshala?
A. The distance from Dharmshala to Jwala Mukhi is 55 km away.
Q. What is the entry fee for Jwala Devi Temple?
A. There is no entry fee in the temple.
Q. What is the best time to visit Akshardham?
A. You can visit the temple is summer and after the monsoon.
Q. What are the nearby places of Jwala Devi Temple?
A. Dhauladhar range, baijnath temple, Braijeshwari temple are the nearest temple from the Jwala Devi Temple.