Nau Deviyan

Vaishno Devi is nestled in the mighty Trikuta mountain 61 kilometers north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The shrine is visited all through the year, but the path is difficult during the winters due to snowfall.

As the legend goes, more than 700 years ago Vaishno Devi a devotee of Lord Vishnu, used to pray to Lord Rama and had taken vow of celibacy. Bhairon Nath, a tantric (demon-God) tried to behold Her. Making use of his tantric powers, Bhairon Nath was able to see Her going towards the Trikuta mountains and gave chase. It took Bhairon Nath nine months to locate Her, the reason why the cave is known as Garbh Joon. Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave with Her Trident when the demon-God located Her. On arriving at the Holy Cave at Darbar, she assumed the form of Maha Kali and cut off Bhairon Nath's head which was flung up the mountain by the force of the blow and fell at the place where the Bhairon Temple is now located. The boulder at the mouth of the Holy Cave according to the legend is the petrified torso of Bhairon Nath who was granted divine forgiveness by the benevolent Mata in his dying moments.

The Yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover 13 km. of terrain on foot to reach the Darbar. One kilometer away from Katra, is a place known as Banganga, where Mata quenched her thirst and at 6 km., the holy cave at Adhkawari. After 6 km. of trekking, the yatries reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months.

The journey amidst snow capped mountains and sprawling forests arise from within the holy shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi. There is a common faith among the folk that Goddess-Vaishno sends a 'Call' to her devotees and that once a person receives it, wherever he or she is, marches towards the holy shrine of the great Goddess. A supernatural power seems to draw them through the mountain and they climb up those great heights step by step, chanting 'Prem se bolo, Jai Mata Di'. There are images of three deities - The Mahakali, Maa Saraswati and Maha Lakshmi.

Chamunda Devi is a Shakti shrine, situated 10 km west of Palampur, on the Baner River. This colorful shrine has a wrathful form of Durga or Chamunda. The idol in the temple is considered so sacred that it is completely hidden beneath a red cloth. Here Lord shiva is present in the form of death, destruction & dead bodies along with Devi Chamunda. In the temple the devotees can see scenes from the Devi Mahatmya, Ramayan and Mahabharata. On either side of the Devi's image is Hanuman and Bhairo.

Devotees offer prayers, worship and give offerings for their ancestors. It is thought to be sacred to take a dip in Ban Ganga and to read and recite the writings of Shat Chandi. In the old days, people used to offer sacrifices also to the deity. The Goddess Chamunda was enshrined as chief Goddess with the title of Rudra in the battle between demon Jalandhra and Lord Shiva which made this place famous as "Rudra Chamunda".


Naina Devi - According to legends, Sati or Parvati was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha and later, became the consort of Lord Shiva. Once her father insulted Lord Shiva and unable to accept this, she killed herself. When Lord Shiva heard of his wife's death his rage knew no bounds and holding Sati's body he began stalking the three worlds. The other gods trembled before his wrath and appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu let fly a volley of arrows which struck Sati's body and severed it to pieces. At the places where the pieces fell, the fifty-one sacred 'shaktipeeths' came into being. It is believed that Sati's eyes fell at the place where this temple is situated. Therefore, this temple is called Naina Devi.

The word Naina is synonymous with Sati's eyes. Since then, devotees started visiting this temple. Once the devotee reaches the hill top, prasad can be bought from any of the various shops or it can also one's own offerings from home. After crossing the main gate, there is a big Peepal tree on the left side. On the right side of the temple there are idols of Lord Hanuman Ji and Ganesh Ji. After reaching the main entrance of the temple, there are two statues of lions.

Inside the temple, devotees have darshan of three deities. On the extreme left is Mata Kali Devi, the centre representing two Netras or eyes is Maa Naina Devi and to right side is idol of Lord Ganesh.


Mansa Devi (who fulfills the desires)

Mansa means desire and Meri Maiya who fulfills the desire of HER devotees, is popularly known as Mansa Devi.

Located a top the Shivalik-Hills near Hardwar the Mandir is easily accessible through Ropeway Trolley, as well as stairs and pedestrian path

The Main - idol, enshrined in the Mandir, consists of 5 heads (faces) and three arms of Meri Maiya. Pilgrims tie-up a thread around stem of an old tree for the fulfillment of their desires. One can easily see hundred of knots around it.


Chintpurni Maa

"Chinta" Means worry ……Tension or worries act as a slow Poison.
Maiya saves HER bhakts from it, giving elixir of life, by fulfilling their desires and hence rightly known as CHINTAPURNI. The sacred place belong to 'Chhinnmastika Devi ' i.e. the goddess without head.

It is also know as the Abode of Chhinnamastila. But the most popular name is CHINTAPURANI, Some parts of the holy feet of Sati are said to be fallen here, while Lord Vishnu used His Sudarshan Chakra to cut the corpse into pieces. The Shrine of Chintapurniis situated in Una district of Himachal Pradesh in northern India


Kalika Devi (A Symbol of death and destruction)

Kali is derived from the word Kaala which stands for two meanings - 1. time or age 2. darkness. It is believed that there was a state of total darkness before the origin of Universe; no life existed anywhere! Total Chaos! The age of death and destruction! Kali Maa is another roop (form) of Durga Maa. She was created by Durga Maa to help in the fight against demons. She is the ferocious aspect of Durga.

According to the Puranas, this image of Durga as Kali, so widely worshipped in eastern parts of India, owes its origin to the battle of Durga with Shumbha and Nishumbha. She is also known as the slayer of the demon Raktavija by drinking the drops of his blood and not allowing them to fall on the ground.

Actually, death is the cause of a new life and destruction is the cause of a new shape. This energy is represented as Meri Maiya Kalika. SHE produces the netherworlds and destroys them, to HER desire or will


Vajreshwari Devi " The Goddess of Power "
Popularly known as Kangrewali Mata this seat of deity is powerful, so much so, as to conquer the enemy. Vajra means thunderbolt and Meri Maiya, who bears it is known as Vajreshwari Devi

Jwala Devi
(who represents the energy of fire)
Nine Sacred - Flames, continuously burning without any fuel,or assistance may be seen erupting from a rock-side, now housed in the shape of a Mandir, here. This miracle of nature is worshipped as Meri Maiya known as JWALAMUKHI.


Shakumbhari Devi
(A Symbol of Botanical Energy)

Katha tells us that Meri Maiya helped the living creatures to survive only upon plants and vegetables, when no water was available on this earth, for full long hundred years. Hence, SHE was known as SHAKUMBHARI DEVI i.e. Meri Maiya who feeded upon vegetables.

Stating in terms of botanical-science, there exists a form of energy behind the growth of plants and vegetables; the evolution of this energy is caused due to the multiplication and compounding of atoms. The same energy has been worshipped as Meri Maiya SHAKUMBHARI in Katha

Here, Meri Maiya is represented by four idols. Bhramari and Bhima Devi are enshrined on the right side of SHAKUMBHARI DEVI is also known as Sheetla Devi. Actually all these names signify the same deity, who incarnated HERSELF with the different names in different ages.

In present context also, this aspect of worship is utmost relevant, because the world began to think about the importance of plants and trees only a few years ago, whereas, the Indian Culture had adopted the same thousand of years before, when the worship of SHAKUMBHARI DEVI was started.
This temple is situated at a distance of forty kilometres from Saharanpur ( a city in Utter Pradesh which is biggest state of India ) city in the Shivalik mountian range.

Jai Ambe Gauri

Jai Ambe Gauri maiya, jaa Shyama Gauri Nishdin tumko dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivji, Jai Ambe....

Mang sindur birajat, tiko mrigmadko, ujjvalse dou naina, chandravadan niko, Jai Ambe....

Kanak saman kalevar, raktambar raje, Raktapushp galmala, kanthhar saje, Jai Ambe....

Kehari vahan rajat, khadg khappar dhari sur nar munijan sevat, tinke dukhahari, Jai Ambe....

Kanan kundal shobhit, nasagre moti Kotik chandra divakar, samrajat jyoti, Jai Ambe....

Shumbh- nishumbh vidare, MahishaSur ghatia Dhumra-vilochan naina, nishdin madmati Jai Ambe....

Brahmani, Rudrani tum Kamala Rani, Agam-nigam bakhani. turn Shiv patrani, Jai Ambe....

Chaunsath yogini gavat, nritya karat Bhairon, Bajat tab mridanga, aur bajat damru, Jai Ambe...

Tum ho jag ki mata, tum hi ho bharta, Bhaktan ki dukh harta, sukh sampati karta, Jai Ambe....

Bhuja char ati shobhit, var mudra dhari, Manvanchhit phal pavat, sevat nar nari, Jai Ambe....

Kanchan thal virajat, agaru kapur bati Malketu men rajat, kotiratan jyoti, Jai Ambe....

जय महालक्ष्मी आरती

महालक्ष्मी आरती


ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जयलक्ष्मी माता,
तुमको निस दिन सेवत, हरी, विष्णु दाता
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता

उमा राम ब्रह्मानी, तुम हो जग माता,
मैया, तुम हो जग माता,
सूर्य चंद्रमा ध्यावत, नारद ऋषि गाता.
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता.

दुर्गा रूप निरंजनी, सुख सम्पति दाता,
मैया सुख सम्पति दाता
जो कोई तुमको ध्याता, रीधी सिद्दी धन पाता
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता.

जिस घर में तू रहती, सब सुख गुण आता,
मैया सब सुख गुण आता,
ताप पाप मिट जाता, मन नहीं घबराता.
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता

धुप दीप फल मेवा, माँ स्वीकार करो,
मैया माँ स्वीकार करो,
ज्ञान प्रकाश करो माँ, मोहा अज्ञान- हरो.
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता.

महा लक्ष्मीजी की आरती, निस दिन जो गावे
मैया निस दिन जो गावे,
दुःख जावे, सुख आवे, अति आनंदा पावे.
ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता.

श्री अंबा मां की आरती

जय अंबे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी ।
तुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
मांग सिंदूर विराजत, टीको मृगमद को ।
उज्ज्वल से दोउ नैना, चंद्रवदन नीको ॥ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
कनक समान कलेवर, रक्तांबर राजै ।
रक्तपुष्प गल माला, कंठन पर साजै ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
केहरि वाहन राजत, खड्ग खप्पर धारी ।
सुर-नर-मुनिजन सेवत, तिनके दुखहारी ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
कानन कुण्डल शोभित, नासाग्रे मोती ।
कोटिक चंद्र दिवाकर, राजत सम ज्योती ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
शुंभ-निशुंभ बिदारे, महिषासुर घाती ।
धूम्र विलोचन नैना, निशदिन मदमाती ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
चण्ड-मुण्ड संहारे, शोणित बीज हरे ।
मधु-कैटभ दोउ मारे, सुर भयहीन करे ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
ब्रह्माणी, रूद्राणी, तुम कमला रानी ।
आगम निगम बखानी, तुम शिव पटरानी ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
चौंसठ योगिनी मंगल गावत, नृत्य करत भैंरू ।
बाजत ताल मृदंगा, अरू बाजत डमरू ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
तुम ही जग की माता, तुम ही हो भरता ।
भक्तन की दुख हरता, सुख संपति करता ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
भुजा चार अति शोभित, वरमुद्रा धारी ।
मनवांछित फल पावत, सेवत नर नारी ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
कंचन थाल विराजत, अगर कपूर बाती ।
श्रीमालकेतु में राजत, कोटि रतन ज्योती ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…
श्री अंबेजी की आरति, जो कोइ नर गावे ।
कहत शिवानंद स्वामी, सुख-संपति पावे ॥
ॐ जय अंबे गौरी…

Jwala Devi Temple

Jwala Devi is one of the major 'Shakti Peethas' of India. Jwala Devi Temple is located at a distance of 34 kms in south of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. Even from Dharamshala, it lies at a stretch of 56 kms and moreover, it is easily accessible by the regular buses from both the places. For a convenient journey, one can opt for private taxis that are available throughout the state. The temple is dedicated to Jwala Devi (form of goddess), who is the presiding in the form of flames. Due to this fact, the goddess is also referred as the 'Flaming Goddess'.

Positioned besides a cliff, Jwalamukhi Mandir is built on a wooden platform in the Indo-Sikh style of architecture. The structural design of the temple is simple, but the religious aura makes it undoubtedly divine. The dome and spire of this temple are covered with Gold. The main door of the shrine is plated with silver. In front of the main shrine, there is a huge brass bell that was presented by the King of Nepal.

In the early times, people tried to explore the fact behind these burning flames, but nothing substantial was made out. These flames are burning due to some natural jets of combustible gas. The temple came to be known as the Jwala Devi Mandir. In this temple, there is no idol because the Goddess is considered to be residing in the form of flames. This temple has nine ceaseless flames that are named as Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vindhya Vasini, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi respectively.

Inside the shrine, there is a pit where several flames are burning. The offerings are made to the Goddess in this same pit. The 'Aartis' at different intervals of the day, are the main attraction of this temple. Usually, an offering of Rabri or thickened milk is made to the goddess. In the temple complex, there are several small shrines including Gorakh Dibbi and Chaturbhuj Temple. These blue flames are coming out from the fissures in the ancient rock.

Being an important pilgrimage of the Hindus, devotees come to this temple in large numbers. During the days of Navaratri, the temple is thronged by countless number of devotees. Colorful fairs are also organized for the period of Navaratri in March-April and Sep-October. 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.

Legend behind the Temple
Jwalamukhi refers to the deity with flaming mouth. As per the legends, the mouth of Sati fell here at the time of self-sacrifice. Ever since, the Goddess occupied the place and she manifested in nine flames. After years, one day Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch, a resident of Kangra and a great devotee of Goddess Durga, dreamt of the holy place.

He sent his men to locate the place. With the grace of the Goddess, the site was found and Raja started constructing a temple. It is believed that Pandavas also contributed in the erection of this temple. However, the construction of this temple was completed in the 19th century, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his son, Kharak Singh, gave the Gold and Silver for the dome and door respectively.

Legend about Akbar, the Mughal Emperor
During the ruling period of Akbar, he learned about the legends of Jwalamukhi. In a fit of anger, he tried to douse the flames with a stream of water. The great power of the Goddess, still kept the flames burning. Realizing the power of Jwala Devi, Akbar came with his army to this temple. He brought a Gold umbrella (Chatra) for the Goddess, but on offering, the umbrella turned into an unknown metal suggesting that the Goddess didn't accept his offering.

Jwalamukhi Devi Temple

Jwalamukhi Devi Temple

Google Translate My Page
	Gadgets powered by Google

Recognized as one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of India, the Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, tended by the followers of Goraknath, is set against a cliff. 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.
Dedicated to the "Goddess of Light", the Jwalamukhi temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in Northern India. The temple located on a small spur on the Dharamshala-Shimla road at a distance of about 20-kms from the Jwalamukhi Road Railway Station attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. In this temple there is a copper pipe through which natural gas comes out.
After Daksha Yoga Bhagna, Lord Shiva placed the burnt dead body of Sati on his shoulders and started wandering about in a state of madness. To save the world from the destructive wrath of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu started cutting the limbs of the dead Goddess Parvati one by one. The places where they fell became sacred centers for the worship of Shakti. The tongue of Sati fell at the place where the temple of Jwalamukhi is situated. The flames that come out of the openings in the earth?s surface are regarded as the manifestations of the fallen tongue of Sati and are worshipped as "Jwalamukhi Devi" (Goddess, who emits flames from her mouth).

Legend

It is said that Guru Gorakhnath once visited Jwalamukhi. The Jwalamukhi Devi requested Guru Gorakhnath to receive her hospitality. Gorakhnath refused to have food even if cooked and served by the Devi as people visiting her were not all strict about their food. On the Devi's repeated request Gorakhnath agreed to cook khichiri (rice and dal mixed and boiled with some condiments and served with ghee) at her place but said he would go round begging for alms as usual and on return would cook khichiri himself. He asked the Devi to keep water boiling so that he could straightaway cook without wasting time.

The Jwalamukhi Devi agreed and kept the hot water boiling but Guru Gorakhnath has not yet returned. The Devi waited and waited and then sent her disciple Naga Arjan to trace the Guru. Naga Arjan failed and started meditating on the top of the Jwalamukhi range. He has not returned also.

The Devi then deputed another disciple Bhim to find out the whereabouts of Gorakhnath and to bring him back. Bhim traced Gorakhnath at the confluence of the Rohini and Tapti rivers. This place has come to be known as Gorakhpur. The Guru had a begging bowl, which would never get filled up though maunds of rice and dal (lintels) might be put into it. Similarly he cooked khichiri with five seers of rice and dal and the food would never be exhausted though thousands ate.



Jwalamukhi Devi Temple

Google Translate My Page
	Gadgets powered by Google

Recognized as one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of India, the Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, tended by the followers of Goraknath, is set against a cliff. 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.
Dedicated to the "Goddess of Light", the Jwalamukhi temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in Northern India. The temple located on a small spur on the Dharamshala-Shimla road at a distance of about 20-kms from the Jwalamukhi Road Railway Station attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. In this temple there is a copper pipe through which natural gas comes out.
After Daksha Yoga Bhagna, Lord Shiva placed the burnt dead body of Sati on his shoulders and started wandering about in a state of madness. To save the world from the destructive wrath of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu started cutting the limbs of the dead Goddess Parvati one by one. The places where they fell became sacred centers for the worship of Shakti. The tongue of Sati fell at the place where the temple of Jwalamukhi is situated. The flames that come out of the openings in the earth?s surface are regarded as the manifestations of the fallen tongue of Sati and are worshipped as "Jwalamukhi Devi" (Goddess, who emits flames from her mouth).

Legend

It is said that Guru Gorakhnath once visited Jwalamukhi. The Jwalamukhi Devi requested Guru Gorakhnath to receive her hospitality. Gorakhnath refused to have food even if cooked and served by the Devi as people visiting her were not all strict about their food. On the Devi's repeated request Gorakhnath agreed to cook khichiri (rice and dal mixed and boiled with some condiments and served with ghee) at her place but said he would go round begging for alms as usual and on return would cook khichiri himself. He asked the Devi to keep water boiling so that he could straightaway cook without wasting time.

The Jwalamukhi Devi agreed and kept the hot water boiling but Guru Gorakhnath has not yet returned. The Devi waited and waited and then sent her disciple Naga Arjan to trace the Guru. Naga Arjan failed and started meditating on the top of the Jwalamukhi range. He has not returned also.

The Devi then deputed another disciple Bhim to find out the whereabouts of Gorakhnath and to bring him back. Bhim traced Gorakhnath at the confluence of the Rohini and Tapti rivers. This place has come to be known as Gorakhpur. The Guru had a begging bowl, which would never get filled up though maunds of rice and dal (lintels) might be put into it. Similarly he cooked khichiri with five seers of rice and dal and the food would never be exhausted though thousands ate.


Getting there and around

By Air- The nearest airport at Gaggal in Himachal Pradesh is 50 km from Jwalaji.Chandigarh Airport is about 200 Kms .Airport at Shimla is about 160 Kms. The distance from Kullu airport in Himachal Pradesh is about 250 Kms. National & International Airport is at the national capital Delhi is about 480 Kms.

By Rail - The nearest narrowgauge railhead is Jawalaji road Ranital at a distance of 20 km from the shrine.The nearest broadgauge railhead is Pathankot at a distance of 120kms.Chandigarh Rly Station is at a Distance of 200 Kms.

By Road - Motorable roads connect this Shrine from Delhi, Chandigarh & Dharamshala. Taxis can be hired from these places.This all is hilly area with a beautiful scenic view all along the valley. Frequent state transport bus service is available from all important cities of Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi and J & K. The shrine is well connected by road. Frequent bus and taxi services are available. Deluxe coaches are also available at various places.

Accommodation

There are a number of dharamshalas, guest houses and hotels of varying quality in and around Jwala devi temple.

jawala ji history

Jai Jwala Maa The best known Jwala Ji shrine is located in the lower Himalayas in Jawalamukhi town of the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh state of India, about 55 kilometers from the larger town of Dharamsala. The temple style is typical of Jwala Ji shrines, four cornered, with a small dome on the top and a square central pit of hollowed stone inside where the main flame burns endlessly.  An annual fair is held in the environs of the temple every July/August.
The temple had an associated library of ancient Hindu texts, many of which were translated from Sanskrit into Persian at the orders of Firuz Shah Tughlaq when the Delhi Sultanate overran the Kangra area. According to legend, when Sati's body was divided into 51 parts, her tongue fell here. This is represented by the flames.