Jwalamukhi Temple Fair 2025 - Sun, 30 Mar, 2025 – Sun, 6 Apr

The Jwalamukhi fair is held twice a year during the Navratri of Chaitra and Aswin. The devotees go round the Jwala Kund in which the sacred fire burns, making their offerings. The Gorakh Tibbi a centre of the Gorakhpanthi Naths is placed near the Jwala Kund. Folk-dances, songs, plays, wrestling matches and athletics are some of the important attractions of the fair. The Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra becomes the venue for the major fair.

In April and October, the people of the area who believe that the jets of the inflammable gas coming from the volcano are the sacred fires coming out from the mouth of their Goddess, worship the Goddess of the Jwalamukhi volcano in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh.

The Jwalamukhi Temple Fair is a vibrant festival held in the town of Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh, India. The fair celebrates the goddess Jwalamukhi, a manifestation of the divine feminine. It usually takes place in May or June and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists.

The highlight of the fair is the traditional worship and rituals performed at the Jwalamukhi Temple, known for its unique feature of flames that burn without any fuel. The fair includes various cultural activities, including music, dance, and local handicrafts, providing a lively atmosphere and a glimpse into the region's rich traditions.

The Jwalamukhi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Jwalamukhi, is a revered Hindu temple located in the town of Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is renowned for its unique and mystical feature: natural flames that burn continuously from the earth, which are believed to be the manifestation of the goddess.

Here are some key aspects of the temple:

1. Deity: The temple is dedicated to Jwalamukhi, an incarnation of the goddess Durga. She is depicted as the goddess of light and is believed to represent the divine feminine energy.

2. Unique Feature: The temple is famous for its flame-burning phenomenon, where natural gas emanates from the earth, and these flames are considered sacred. The flames are said to represent the goddess’s presence and are worshipped as a symbol of her power.

3. Architecture: The temple’s architecture is traditional, with a simple yet elegant structure. It features a silver-plated door and intricate carvings. The main shrine houses the sacred flames, which are the focal point of worship.

4. Pilgrimage: The temple attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. Pilgrims visit to offer prayers, seek blessings, and witness the miraculous flames. The temple is especially crowded during festivals and special religious occasions.

5. Festivals: The Jwalamukhi Temple Fair, held annually, is a significant event that draws large crowds. The fair includes various cultural performances, processions, and local crafts, making it a vibrant celebration of the local culture and religious traditions.

Jwalamukhi Temple

People come with red silken flags (dhwaja) to greet the Mother Goddess, ‘JwalaJi’. The fair is attributed to the worship of that Eternal Flame which is coming out of earth spontaneously and perpetually. One of the 51 Shaktipeeths of India, the temple of Jwalamukhi is in Jwalamukhi town, which is about 70 kilometers from Dharamsala.

The Jwalamukhi Temple, located in the town of Jwalamukhi in Himachal Pradesh, India, is a highly revered Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Jwalamukhi, who is a manifestation of the goddess Durga. The temple is famous for its unique feature: the natural flames that emerge from the earth, which are considered sacred and are believed to be manifestations of the goddess herself.

Key Highlights:

1. Sacred Flames: The most notable aspect of the Jwalamukhi Temple is the natural gas flames that burn perpetually from fissures in the ground. These flames, which are often described as a miraculous phenomenon, are worshipped as the goddess's presence.

2. Historical Significance: The temple has a rich history and is believed to have been built by the famous king of the region, Raja Bhumi Chand, around the 19th century. The flames have been burning for centuries and are regarded as a divine miracle by devotees.

3. Temple Architecture: The temple features traditional Himachali architecture, with a simple but elegant structure. The main shrine houses the sacred flames, and the surrounding area includes a number of smaller shrines dedicated to other deities.

4. Festivals: The temple is a focal point for various religious festivals, with the annual Jwalamukhi Temple Fair being the most significant. The fair attracts thousands of devotees and tourists, and includes cultural events, processions, and local crafts.

5. Pilgrimage: Pilgrims come from far and wide to visit the temple, seek blessings, and witness the sacred flames. The temple's serene and spiritual atmosphere makes it a significant place of worship and pilgrimage.

History

According to Hindu mythology, the Jwalamukhi Temple is associated with the goddess Jwalamukhi, a manifestation of the goddess Durga. The temple's flames are believed to be a divine manifestation of the goddess, representing her fiery energy. Various legends suggest that these flames are the result of a curse or blessing from the goddess.

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.

Legends

One legend says that Prajapati Daksha, the father of Sati once organized a great Yajna and invited all gods except Shiva. When Sati came to know of this, she pestered Shiva to go to Yajna. Shiva maintained that they should not go uninvited. Sati argued that it was not bad to go to parents or Gurus un-invited. Shiva did not agree for himself but allowed Sati to go. On reaching her father s house, Sati saw that no seat (assan) had been earmarked for Shiva, which meant a deliberate attempt to humiliate Shiva. She was so offended that she at once plunged herself into the havankund of Yajna. On hearing this, Shiva rushed to the spot and found Sati half burnt. Distressed Shiva carried the corpse of Sati, gyrated it from summit to summit. Apprehending a great calamity befalling, the gods ran to Lord Vishnu for help who then severed Sati s body into pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra. Places where the pieces fell, gave rise to fifty-one Shaktipeeths, the centres where the power of goddess is inherit.

Jwalamukhi Temple Fair

There is another legend associated with Jawalamikhi. A cowherd found that one of his cows was always without milk. He followed the cow to find out the cause. He saw a girl coming out of the forest, drank the cow s milk, and then disappeared in a flash of light. The cowherd went to the king and told him the story. The king was aware of the legend that Sati s tongue had fallen in this area. The king tried, without success, to find that sacred spot. Again, some years later, the cowherd went to the king to report that he had seen a flame burning in the mountains. The king found the spot and had darshan (vision) of the
holy flame. He built a temple there and arranged for priests to engage in regular worship.

It is believed that the Pandavas later renovated the temple. The folk song that "Panjan Panjan Pandavan Tera Bhawan Banaya" bears testimony to this belief. Raja Bhumi Chand, the progenitor of the ruling Katoch family of Kangra, first built the temple. Jawalamukhi has since times immemorial turned out to be a great pilgrimage centre. The Mughal Emperor Akbar once tried to extinguish the flames by covering them with an iron disk and even channelizing water to them. But the flames blasted all these efforts. Akbar then presented a golden parasol at the shrine. However, his cynicism at the power of devi caused the gold to debase into another metal. His belief in the deity was all the more strengthened after this incident. Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine round the year to satisfy their spiritual urge.

Rituals

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. During major festivals like the Jwalamukhi Temple Fair, special rituals and ceremonies are conducted. These can include elaborate processions, devotional singing, dance performances, and other cultural activities. The fairs and festivals add a vibrant and festive atmosphere to the temple complex.

Pilgrims often undertake a journey to the temple, sometimes traveling long distances. Once at the temple, they may walk around the sacred area or shrine as a mark of reverence and devotion. These rituals are designed to honor the goddess Jwalamukhi and seek her blessings. The temple’s unique feature of the eternal flames adds a mystical and sacred dimension to these practices, making them a central part of the worship experience.

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