Visit to Jwaala Temple in Himachal Pradesh, India

Sri Swamiji visited the famous "JWAALA TEMPLE" on 20th March 2005 in Himachal Pradesh state in the Himalayas.

Deciding suddenly on 19th afternoon to visit this famous shrine which is part of the Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas (18 seats of mother goddess), Sri Swamiji first flew to Kangra and from there drove to this shrine.

The famous Shloka of Adi Sankara "Lankaayaam Shaankari Devi" mentions JAWAALAAYAAM VAISHNAVI DEVI - meaning Vaishnavi Devi in the Jwaala temple. It is an unusual temple. There are no idols in the main shrine. Instead there are seven flames which have been burning since time immemorial. (click here to read Sri Swamiji's speech given in Delhi Ashrama upon returning from Jwaala temple on 20th March 2005).

The flames are mystical. They are burning on rocks. It are quite unique.The flames which change colors from blue to light blue to crimson to deep red are about 6 to seven inches long. The Shrine has one main flame on the back wall. One on the left side wall, two on the off centre of the back wall and three in a pit in the centre of the shrine. Sri Swamiji had Darshana of all the flames. After the Darshan, Sri Swamiji sat near the central pit and performed Homa to one of the flames by offering Ghee with Homa spoons.

Later Sri Swamiji performed Pradakshina of the temple and walked out to a Mantapa where Naivedyam (offerings) are given to Jwaala Devi. Sitting by the side of the pit, Sri Swamiji offered various fruit offerings. Interestingly, a lot of Ginger was offered as Naivedyam.

Later Kumari Puja was performed to nine young girls randomly chosen from among the devotee crowd. After receiving the Puja Prasad, Sri Swamiji left for Delhi the same evening from Kangra airport.

Entrance to the main temple
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Sri Swamiji in front of the Jwaala Devi Shrine
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The flame has been glowing ever since Sati Devi's (from Nataraja Dance time - Daksha Yajna) tongue fell in this place and it became the famous JWALA DEVI TEMPLe, part of the Ashta Dasha Shakti Peethas
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Sri Swamiji offering Naivedyam. The ginger in the plate were offered in the pit
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Kumaris receiving food after the Kumari Puja
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Sri Swamiji and the Kumaris
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A goat came around when Sri Swamiji was sitting before the Devi Darshan and ate an entire flower mala which Sri Swamiji had placed next to him after wearing a while
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