The revered Jwalamukhi Temple, nestled in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is renowned for its spiritual significance to Hindu devotees. Unlike other temples that contain idols, worshippers at this shrine pay homage to an all-encompassing flame representing Goddess Jwalamukhi herself. This sustaining fire radiates a sense of holiness and brings serenity to those who visit it.
Jwalamukhi is one of the sacred 51 Shaktipeetas, where it’s said that Goddess Sati’s tongue descended. According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Vishnu used his Chakra to cut apart Sati’s body into pieces, her tongue fell at this particular site and formed Jwalamukhi. Inside the temple lies a copper pipe from which natural gas escapes; priests then ignite it with a spark for an impressive blue flame experience!
According to legend, Lord Shiva vanquished Jalandra the demon whose fiery maw represented Jwalamukhi – with ‘Jwala’ meaning Flame and ‘Mukhi’ standing for Mouth. Allegedly originating from where his mouth used to be, nine flames are ignited in the temple bearing their respective Goddess- Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj , Vidhya , Basni , Mahalakshmi , Saraswati , Ambika and Anji Devi’s names – never ceasing to burn day after day!
Believed to have been revealed in a dream by Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch of Kangra, a devoted servant of Goddess Durga, the site was discovered and upon it he built Jwalamukhi Temple. Strikingly adorned with its golden dome and silver folding door, this holy place stands as an architectural marvel for modern times.
The Jwalamukhi Temple is a part of the 51 sacred Shaktipeeths. As per Hindu mythology, all Gods pooled their collective energy onto the Earth in order to protect themselves from demons and out came Goddess Sati who was raised by Prajati Daksha, later marrying Lord Shiva. However tragedy fell upon her when Prajati Daksha organized a yajna where everyone was invited but not Shiva which caused immense humiliation for Sati resulting in her leaving her home behind. She decided to take revenge by immolating herself in the yajna. With this action of her’s,Lord Shiva became extremely furious and carried her corpse around the three worlds.
Angered by Lord Shiva’s actions, all the deities contacted Lord Vishnu for assistance. He then decided to take action and used his Sudharshan Chakra to sever Sati’s body into 51 pieces which scattered across different places – these locations are known as Shaktipeeths and viewed as powerful centers of worship dedicated to Goddess Sati.
The goddess Jwalamukhi is an embodiment of Maa Durga and marks the place where Sati’s tongue fell. It is believed that tiny flames emanate every day from ancient crevices in the rocks, manifesting her presence.
During his sleep, Raja Bhumi Chand had a vision of an auspicious location. Thus he decided to search for this place and discover its hidden secrets. To commemorate the discovery, he constructed a temple at Jwalamukhi known as ‘Jwalamukhi’ Temple; honoring its mythical superpower that provoked awe in people’s hearts.
Legend has it that Mughal Emperor Akbar once visited the temple, attempting to extinguish the already-eternal flames. In humble submission to Goddess, he presented her with a gold umbrella before departing – yet when he turned back as if tempted by curiosity, this offering was said to magically transform into copper! The history of such tales is what makes an awe-inspiring visit here even more incredible.
By Flight
For your pilgrimage to Jwalamukhi temple, the closest airport is Guggal which lies 46 kilometers away. Indian Airlines offers three weekly flights from Delhi to Dharamshala. To make your journey convenient, taxis are available at the Airport for a hassle-free transfer to the much-visited Hindu holy site.
By Rail
Located at a distance of 123 km, Pathankot is the closest Station to Kangra. Moreover, you can enjoy an adventurous mountain-train ride from this Railway Station as well. Local bus and taxi services are available outside the station for your convenience!
By Bus
Every day, there are buses available from Pathankot to Jwalamukhi temple for those wishing to make the pilgrimage.
