- Know about the Jawala Ji Temple, a Shakti Peeth, in Kangra. Also
the myth of Akbar and the Golden Umbrella and Maharaja Ranjit Singh
contribution of gold.
About Jawala Ji Temple
According
to Himachal
government site, “A total of nine flames are ignited in the temple, which represent the nine Goddesses – Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vidhya Basni, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi.”
Pandit Rajmani Tugnait of the Himalayan Institute
calls Jawala ji, a Tantric site in this book Tantra Unveiled.
1.
Location: Jawalamukhi, Kangra District, Himachal. It is 34 kms from Kangra.
2.
Deity: Goddess Jwala (the Eternal Flame).
3.
Significance: A Shakti Peetha. Here the tongue of Goddess Sati fell.
4.
Unique Feture: No murty. Only a set of natural, eternal flames emerging from
the rock.
“The birth anniversary of Mata Jwala ji in murthy form is celebrated every year on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi date of Falgun month.”
There
is a story, considered to be part of folklore, of Mughal King Akbar visit to
Jwalamukhi. First the legend -
1.
Akbar heard of the miraculous flame at Jawala Ji and decided to witness it
himself.
2.
In awe, he offered a golden umbrella (chattar) as a royal gift to the goddess.
3. However, according to legend: "The goddess did not accept Akbar’s offering. The gold umbrella turned into a base metal, a sign of divine rejection."
4.
The umbrella was never installed above the flame and is believed to have been
kept aside in the temple complex.
The Historical Truth -
|
Element
|
Status
|
Details
|
|
Akbar visited Kangra region
|
Likely.
|
He led campaigns in the hill regions.
|
|
Visited Jawala Ji mandir.
|
Possible
|
No official record, but part of local oral
tradition.
|
|
Golden umbrella donation.
|
Not
documented.
|
No reference in Akbarnama or Mughal records.
|
|
Metal turning into brass.
|
Symbolic.
|
A powerful spiritual metaphor, not scientifically confirmed.
|
|
Metal umbrella at temple.
|
Exists
|
Material is brass
or copper, not gold. Origin unknown.
|
Association of Maharaja Ranjit Singh with Jawala Ji Mandir
In the early 19th century, Ranjit Singh sent a golden canopy (chattar) to be placed over the main flame at Jawala Ji. This gold canopy wa Commissioned by royal
artisans from Amritsar or Lahore.
His contributions to Jawala Ji reflect his belief in Shakti worship. He had donated gold to Jawalamukhi, Hari Mandir
(called Golden Temple now) and Kashi Vishwanath Mandir. He had willed the Kohinoor Diamond to Jagannath Temple, Puri.
It is believed that his son Kharak Singh offered silver-plated doors to
Jawala Ji. These doors are intricately designed with sacred motifs. While three
silver plated doors exist, the temple priest Shri M Sharma says there is no
written record of who the donor was.
All below pictures provided by temple priest Shri M Sharma.
To read all articles
by author and To see all albums
on Himachal
To see only albums of Kangra
1. Kangra Valley and
2. Dharamshala
Travelogues Himachal and Masrur Temples
1. The Best of Spiti
Valley and Kinnaur in 15 days
2. Ten Off Beat
places in Himachal Pradesh
3. Masrur Rock-cut temples in Kangra
About Author - Vikas Sharma-Jugadu Engineer: From Ideas to Impactful Solutions,
Amplified by Voice Jugadu Engineer was
born from a singular vision: to transform abstract engineering concepts into
tangible, real-world impact. What began as a humble idea has rapidly blossomed
into a trusted partner for start-ups
and NGOs seeking not just solutions, but genuinely impactful results.
Check his U Tube Channel.
Visit his website
eSamskriti is grateful to
travellers/bloggers whose temple photos it has used to showcase Masrur Temples.
Credits given as well.