Jwala Devi
Address
Middle Bazar, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001 Kangra Himachal Pradesh, IndiaMap
Description
Jwala/Jwala Ji is a Hindu goddess. The physical manifestation of Jwala is always a set of eternal flames, and the term Jvala means flame in Sanskrit. The temple is mentioned in the Mahabharata and other scriptures. There is a natural cave where eternal flames continue to burn due to natural gas deposits found underground seeping out from the rocks and is ignited by an unknown source. Several schools of Buddhism also share the symbolism of a seven-forked sacred flame.
Tales
According to legend, when Sati's body was divided into 51 parts, her tongue fell in the area of Jawalamukhi. It continues to be represented by the flames (or jyotis). Along with her tongue, the flames of Sati's yogic power also fell to the place. Some legends state that Sati's clothes also fell here; when they fell they were on fire and the fire never went out. Near this area, eternal flames continue to burn in a natural cave. Some say there are seven or nine flames for the seven divine sisters or the nine Durgas. Besides Vaishno Devi, Jwalaji (flame) or Jwala Mukhi (flame mouth) is probably the most ancient temple mentioned by the Mahabharata and other scriptures.
History
Raja Bhumi Chand, the progenitor of the ruling Katoch family of Kangra, first built the temple. The modern building of temple is with a gilt dome and pinnacles and possesses a beautiful folding door of silver plates, presented by Sikh Raja Kharak Singh. This silver door so struck Lord Hardinge that he had a model made of it. Maharaja Ranjit Singh presented the gilt roof in 1815 AD. The interior of the temple consists of a square pit about 3 feet deep with a pathway all around. In the middle, the rock is hollowed out over a primary fissure of a flame considered to be the fiery mouth of Mahakali. The flames escape at several other points from the crevics of the wall of the pit.
Features
Deities:
Timings:
All Week: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Summer)/ 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Winter)
Built:
1000 years ago
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