Shrine’s History
The Jwala Devi is one of the most popular Hindu temples. It is situated on a small branch line on the Shimla to Dharamshala road and at twenty kilometres from the Jwalamukhi road. The temple is in a town known as Jwalamukhi in Kangra district. This temple is visited by lakhs of devotees every year. Many curious people also visit this place to view the nine flames that have been burning for centuries without any fuel. This temple also has a copper pipe through which natural gas is pushed out continuously. The Jwala Devi Temple is one of the fifty-one Shaktipeeths in India. The beautiful temple is set against a cliff. The dome of a temple is aureate is of gold and has pinnacles. It also has a picturesque folding doorway of silver plate which was gifted by Sikh Raja Kharak Singh. The temple has an Indo-Sikh feel to it.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
There was once a time when devils dwelled over the Himalayas and hassled the gods. Lord Vishnu and other gods decided to defeat and destroy them finally. The gods transformed their energy into huge flames of fire. The devils were destroyed but a girl was born from the fire. The girl came to be known as Goddess Parvati or Sati. After death, the pieces of Satis body fell in 51 places. Her tongue fell at Jwalaji and the deity manifested itself as tiny flames that burn blue through cracks in the ancient rocks. The Pandavas have been known to visit the holy shrine on their voyage.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road One can easily reach Jwala Devi Temple from Kangra by road. Frequent buses or cabs can be hired. The way from Kangra to the shrine is flanked by beautiful hills on both sides. By Rail The nearest railway station from Katra is the Udhampur railway station. Taxi and cab services are available from the railway station to Katra. By Air Located at 50 kilometers, the Jammu airport is the nearest to Katra. Jammu is well connected with major airports in India. It’s easy to get a cab from the Jammu airport to Katra as regular taxi and cab services are available.
Shrine Timings
Visiting Hours – 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Extra Information About this Shrine
Best Time to Visit Vaishno Devi can be visited all through the year. However, May through July and the festivals of Chaitra and Sharad-Ashwin attract the greatest number of visitors. December and January are the time for snowfall.