Jwalamukhi Temple( Shakti Peeth) in Kangra Himachal Pradesh

Here is Some information about Jwalamukhi Temple( Shakti Peeth) in Kangra Himachal Pradesh india.

Location: Kangra valley in the lap of Shivalik range

Built in: 1809

Built By:Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch
Dedicated to:Goddess Jwalamukhi
Entry: free
Photography: Allow
Temple Timing: 5:00 Am to 10:00 Pm
Significance: One of the 51 Shakti Peethas

Attraction: Nine flames that are burning without fuel
Visiting Timing: 30 Mins
Best time to Visit: April to Oct
Nearest Railway Station:Ranital,Chandigarh

Nearest Air Port: Chandigarh airport

Jwalamukhi Temple in Himachal Pradesh is one amongst the 51 Shaktipeetha of the country which is considered extremely sacred for the Hindus. It is located around 30 kms to the south of the Kangra valley in the lap of Shivalik range and is dedicated to Goddess Jwalamukhi, the deity of Flaming Mouth. The history of the Jwalamukhi Temple reveals that the great Mughal emperor Akbar visited it and tried to douse of the flame of the temple. However, when he was unsuccessful, he willingly submitted to the power of the goddess. He presented a gold chhatri (umbrella) for the goddess which is said to have turned into copper when he turned around to have a look at it before leaving.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh paid a visit to the temple in the year 1809. His son, Kharak Singh gifted a pair of silver plated folding doors to the temple while Ranjit Singh himself gave the gilt roof. Moreover, in the princely era, the work of the temple was managed by the Raja of Naduan. He himself appointed the temple priest. After independence, things changed a lot. The pujaris are now appointed and paid by the government. A part of the money collected by the temple is used to improve the facilities for the visiting pilgrims.

Histroy of Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra

In 1809, Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited the temple and after dyeing his hand in saffron, stamped an agreement in the temple premises with Raja Sansar Chand-the local ruler. Later after tasting success in the Afghan war, Maharaja Ranjit Singh gilded the roof of the Jwalamukhi temple as a thanksgiving. His son Kharak Singh, presented to the temple a pair of silver plated folding doors. It is recorded that in 1835 the temple had a score of the most beautiful dancing girls. Today all that has changed. While improved and faster modes of travel (there are daily flights to the Kangra valley and more than 500 buses and 200 cars/taxis touch Jwalamukhi each day during the peak Navratra-Nine Sacred Nights season) have ensured greater number of pilgrims than ever before, the administration of the temple has undergone a sea change.

In princely times, temple affairs were guided and supervised by the princely state of Nadaun. The raja (ruler) took upon himself the task of deputing particular Pujaris (priests) for daily rituals. After India gained Independence and the break-up of the feudal system, the pujaris of Jwalamukhi administered temple affairs to their advantage-and the detriment of pilgrims. As a result, in March 1987, the state government enforced an Act which empowered it to take over the administration of the temple. Under the new system, the Temple Officer-who is a government official-ensures that the 102 poojaris at the temple perform the rituals on a daily rotation basis. 40 percent of the temple's daily collection goes to the pujari on duty on that particular day. The remaining 60 percent is spent by the Government on improving and developing facilities for pilgrims and the poor and needy.

Other Temples in Himachal Pradesh

Chamunda Mata Temple
Jwalamukhi Temple
Shri Naina Devi Temple
Baijnath Temple
Bajreshwari Devi Temple
Chintpurni Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Chaurasi temple,
Raghunath temple
Chattari temple
Bijli mahadev temple
Prashar temple
Bhimkali temple
Hadimba temple
Syamakall Temple
Shikari temple
Jhakhu Temple
Hatkoti Temples
Shikari temple
Shringi Rishi temple
Renukaji Temple
Rewalsar temple
Badol Devi Temple
Naras Devi Temple
Triloknath Shiva Temple

How to Rich Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra

By Rail:The nearest railhead is a narrow gauge one at Ranital, 20 km away. The Chandigarh airport and railway station are at the distance of about around 200 km. Trains from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar leave at 2.15 h, 4.50 h, 8.50 h, 9.35 h, 13.10 h, 16.00 h and reach Jwalamukhi road in 3 h and from there by bus to visit Jwalaji.

By Road:The Jwalamukhi temple is also well connected by road. State transport buses from cities of Punjab and Haryana are available.Taxis are also there to take you to the Jwalamukhi temple. Frequent buses pass through Kangra, distance 54 km and takes 2 hour. Kangra is 36 km away from Jwalamukhi. Buses are also coming from Pathankot (123 km), Mandi (171 km), Manali (281 km). Simla (321 km), Palampur, Joginder Nagar and from several places of North India.

By Air: The Nearest Airpot is Chandigarh airport.