One of the 51
Shaktipiths of India, the temple of Jwalamukhi is in Jwalamukhi town which
is about 70 kilometers from Dharamsala. Jwalamukhi is a famous temple of
Goddess Jwalamukhi, the deity of flaming mouth, believed to be the
manifestation of the Goddess Sati. The building is modern with a gilt dome
and pinnacles, and possesses a beautiful folding door of silver plates. The
Devi appears in the form of nine different flames. The principal one is
believed to be Mahakali. The other eight flames at different places in the
temple represent the following Goddesses Annapurna, Chandi, Hing Laj, Vidhya
Vasini, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Sarswati, Ambika and Anjana.
History
In princely times, temple affairs were guided and supervised by the
princely state of Nadaun. 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.
Puja
The deity is- offered Bhog of Rabri or thickened milk, Misri or candy,
seasonal fruits, milk and arti is done. The puja has different 'phases' and
goes on practically the whole day. Arti is done five times in the day, Havan
is performed once daily and portions of "Durga Saptasati" are
recited.
