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Jwala Ji Temple – A Miraculous Delight Of Kangra Valley!

Jwala meaning light, the Jwala Ji Temple is nestled in the lap of Shivalik Range of Kangra Valley where a perpetual flame is burning from time immemorial. Read to know all about this miraculous temple

By Poonam Khandelwal

Nestled in the lap of Shivalik Range of Kangra Valley, the temple of Jwala Devi is believed to be the first-ever temple built by the Pandavas. Jwala means light. Over ages, people have faith that the temple is one of the most auspicious temples of the many temples dedicated to Goddess Jwala. The goddess resides in the flame that keeps burning continuously.

It is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths found in different corners of Southeast Asia. The platform of the temple is set with a small dome and a square pit in the centre, where the sacred stone is found. Goddess Jwala Ji, who resides here, is also known as the deity of the Flaming Mouth; the pit where the flame burns is believed to be the mouth of Mahakali.

Jwala Temple Kangra Valley

PC: Ashish Gupta

History Behind The Legendary Temple

Out of the 51 Shakti Peeths, the legend of the Jwalamukhi Temple relates to Sati. She was born when gods concentrated their individual energies on the ground. They did this in order to get respite from the atrocities they were facing from the demons. This Adi Shakti girl was brought up in the house of Prajapati Daksha.

When Sati felt humiliated by her father for not inviting Lord Shiva at a yajna, she sacrificed herself in the fire of havan kund. Lord Shiva got so agitated that he carried Sati's burnt body and moved around the world. The gods approached Lord Vishnu to diffuse Lord Shiva's anger in order to save the world from a calamity. He then used his Sudarshan Chakra, which cut Sati's body into 51 pieces. Wherever her body pieces fell, it is believed to be the power centre of the goddess - a Shakti Peeth. Amongst all parts, it is believed that the tongue of the goddess fell in Kangra Valley.

Jwala Temple Kangra Valley

PC: Temple official site

The well-renowned Mughal Emperor Akbar had also visited the temple in response to the miraculous flame of Jwala Ji. The government of India with a team of reputed geologists tried analysing the source behind this eternal flame. It all went for a toss. The gods have their own ways to shimmer with the ultimate power that they possess.

The picturesque temple, built in the Indo-Sikh style, is a modern building whose dome is of gilt, gold and pinnacles and possesses a beautiful folding door of silver plates, presented by the Sikh Raja Kharak Singh. Do not miss the Shaiyan Arti of this wondrous shrine.

Visit this timeless beauty during the month of Navratri. The colours here will mesmerise you with their charismatic aura. Binding ourselves to religion and spiritualism is way beyond the scientific reasons that surround us.

Best Time To Visit Jwala Ji

Jwala Temple Kangra Valley

PC: Ashish Sharma

The entire year is the best season to pay a visit to this forever-lit Jwala Devi Temple. Summers are mild and light. Winters can get extremely cold. Carry heavy woolens to protect yourself from extreme temperatures.

How To Reach Jwala Ji?

By Air: Kangra is not served by an airport. Gaggal Airport in Dharamshala is the nearest airport to Kangra. The stretch extends to about 46 km. You can hire a cab or board a bus to commute.
Chandigarh airport is at a distance of about 200 km. Shimla and Delhi are situated about 212 km and 473 km away, respectively.

By Rail: The closest broad gauge railhead is Pathankot. It lies at a distance of 123 km. The nearest narrow gauge railhead is Jwalaji Road, Ranital; it lies at a distance of 20 km from the shrine. Taxis and buses are easily accessible from here.

By Road: The temple is well connected by road. State transport buses from the cities of Punjab and Haryana run frequently to Kangra. Taxis are also available.

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