A Hindu Temple without Idol

[P.J.]

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A Hindu Temple without Idol

The famous temple of Shaktipeeth Jwalamukhi is 35 km from Kangra and 53 kms from Dharamshala. Dedicated to the "GODDESS OF LIGHT", the temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India.

There is no idol of any kind, the flame is considered as a manifestation of the goddess. An eternally burning and shining blue flame emanates from the rock sanctum and is fed by the priests with the offerings of devotees. The golden tower (dome) of the temple was a gift from the Emperor Akbar. Two important fairs are held here during the Navratras in earlier March/April and September/October. Hotel accommodation, Sarai's, rest houses and HPTDC hotels with modern facilities are available for visitors to the shrine.

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Himachal Tourism | Jawalamukhi temple

Indian Temples: Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra Himachal Pradesh


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[tbs]

A Hindu Temple without Idol

The famous temple of Shaktipeeth Jwalamukhi is 35 km from Kangra and 53 kms from Dharamshala. Dedicated to the "GODDESS OF LIGHT", the temple is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India.

There is no idol of any kind, the flame is considered as a manifestation of the goddess. An eternally burning and shining blue flame emanates from the rock sanctum and is fed by the priests with the offerings of devotees. The golden tower (dome) of the temple was a gift from the Emperor Akbar. Two important fairs are held here during the Navratras in earlier March/April and September/October. Hotel accommodation, Sarai's, rest houses and HPTDC hotels with modern facilities are available for visitors to the shrine.

.



Himachal Tourism | Jawalamukhi temple

Indian Temples: Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra Himachal Pradesh


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hi

i had a chance to visit JWALAJI MAA... i was not able go there....i went to kullu/manali area in himachal pradesh....a lot of punjabis

visiting every year....after vaishnavo devi mandir...jwalaji is famous for many kuladevis for north indians...especially punjabis....

many sardars visit regularly....when i was posted in chandigarh/himachal... i got a chance to visit...but for some reason...

i didnt get BULAVAA FROM JWALAAJI... even i heard..kangra king donated a lot of money to temple....even i heard that....a lot of

sulphur under the rock...still burning ....

 

[P.J.]

tbs Sir

Thanks for your Feedback

 

[Raji Ram]

Here is some more info from Wikipedia - Jawalamukhi


''Jwalamukhi is a famous temple to the goddess Jwalamukhi, the deity of flaming mouth, built over some natural jets of

combustible gas, believed to be the manifestation of the Goddess. Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch of Kangra, a great devotee

of goddess Durga, dreamt of the sacred place and the Raja set people to find out the whereabouts of the site. The site was

traced and the Raja built a temple at that location. The building is modern with a gilt dome and pinnacles, and possesses a

beautiful folding door of silver plates. Sati's tongue is believed to have fallen at Jwalamukhi and the goddess is manifest as

tiny flames that burn a flawless blue through fissures in the age old rock. In this temple there is a copper pipe through which

natural gas comes out and the priest of the temple lights this.


The temple located on a small spur on the Dharamsala-Shimla road at a distance of about 20 km from the Jwalamukhi Road

Railway Station attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year. No idol is located in the temple.The deity is worshiped

in the form of flames which come out from the crevices of the rock. They are natural jets of combustible gas. There is a small

platform in front of the temple and a big mandap where a huge brass bell presented by the King of Nepal is hung. Usually milk

and water are offered and the ahutis or oblations are offered to the sacred flames in the pit, situated in the centre of the temple

in between the floor pillars supporting the roof.


The deity is offered Bhog of Rabri or thickened milk, Misri or candy, seasonal fruits, milk. There is a mystic Yantra or diagram

of the goddess, which is covered with, shawls, ornaments and mantras are recited. The puja has different 'phases' and goes

on practically the whole day. Aarti is performed five times in the day, havan is performed once daily and portions of Durga

Saptasati are recited.


The temple was looted and destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1009.The Mughal Emperor Akbar, on learning about the legends

of Jwalamukhi, tried to douse the flames with a stream of water but could not succeed in doing so. Out of reverence, Akbar

offered a Gold umbrella to the Goddess, but the umbrella turned into an unknown metal suggesting that the Goddess did not

accept his offering.


Maharaja Ranjit Singh paid a visit to the temple in 1815 and the dome of the temple was gold-plated by him. Just a few feet

above the Jwalamukhi temple there is a six-feet deep pit with a circumference of about three-feet. At the bottom of this pit

there is another small pit about one and a half feet deep with hot water bubbling all the time.


The temple is identified as one among the 52 Shakti Peethas . It is also one of the most renowned temples of Goddess Durga.''

 

[sarang]

Himachal tourism is secular, and wikipedia appears to be hijacked by hindutvavadis. Let us hope all histortions are corrected.

 

[vgane]

We went to Dharamshala last year and visited Maa Jwalamukhi Devi..It is a beautiful temple..We do find the Jwala at 3-4 places inside the temple...

Himachal has several temples dedicated to Goddess..In Kangra District /Una District we have the Maa Brajeshwari Devi, Maa Chintpurni Deviand Maa Chamunda Devi temples and we we got a rare opportunity to visit all these temples during our Dharamshala tour and we were blessed by Maa

 

[P.J.]

Thanks Raji Madam, sarang Sir, vgane Sir for additional info

 

[prasad1]

Just for Information
Oachira Temple is the only idol-less temple in whole of Kerala. It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated under the gigantic Ficus tree still there. These trees are the points of worship in this temple apart from the Naga (cobra) idols nearby. One of the many rituals that this place has is the worship of bulls. They are decorated and can be seen in the premises of the temple in the abundance.

 

[mskmoorthy]

I think that Bheema Nagari Amman Temple (near Nagercoil) may also qualify as an idol-less temple
The goddess is worshipped as a combination of Turmeric and Kumkum.
Here is a link Bheema Nagari Amman Temple - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[P.J.]

Thanks Prasadji and msk Sir for additional info