JAWALAMUKHI

Ancient legend speak of a time when demons lorded over the Himalayan mountains and harassed the gods. Led by Lord Vishnu, the gods decided to destroy them. The gods focused their strengths in an huge flame which rose from the earth. From the fire, a young girl look birth. She is regarded as Adishakti the first 'Shakti'.

Known as Sati or Parvati, she grew up in the house of Prajapati Daksha and later became the consort of Lord Shiva. Once her father insulted Lord Shiva and unable to accept this, she killed herself. When Lord Shiva heard of his wife's death his rage knew no bounds and holding Sati's body he began stalking the three worlds. The other gods trembled before His wrath and appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu let fly a volley of arrows which struck Sati's body and severed it to pieces. At the places where the pieces fell, the fifty-one sacred Shaktipeeths came into being.

Sati's tongue fell at Jwalaji (610m) and the goddess is manifest as tiny flame that burns flawless blue through fissures in the age-old rock. Even the Pandavas are regarded to have visited this sacred place.

Access : The airport at Gaggal is 46 km from Jwalamukhi. The closest broad gauge railhead is at Pathankot, 123 km away. Taxis and buses are available at both places. From Delhi the road distance is 473 km and from Shimla is 212 km.

Climate : In winter, the climate is cold but pleasant when woolens are required. During summer the temperature is hot and cottons are recommended.

Places of Interest

• Jwalaji Shrines : There are nine different flames within the temple and each signifies something different. It is said that centuries ago, a shephard saw the flames for the first time and Raja Bhumi Chandra, the ruler of the area had the original temple built. The Mughal Emperor Akbar installed a gold parasol and Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the dome gilded. Across the courtyard is Devi's bed chamber and above the temple is the shrine of Baba Gorakhnath.
• Nagini Mata( 4.5 km) : The site of a fair held in July / August, this is located on the hill above Jwalaji.
• Shri Raghunathji Temple (5 km) : Popularly known as Teda mandir, Rama, Laxman, and Sita are said to have stayed here and the first temple is supposed to have been built by the Pandavas.
• Ashtabhuja Temple(1 km) :This ancient temple has stone image of the eight-armed goddess.
• Nadaun (12 km) : Closely connected with the glory of Kangra erstwhile rulers, there are numerous old temples and remains of a couple of old palaces.
• Chaumukha (22 km via Nadaun) : There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a huge four faced image.
• Panj Teerthi And Mahakaleshwar (9 km and 28 km via Nadaun) : By the banks of the river Beas and closely associated with the exile of the Pandavas are these two sacred places. These are within a few hundred meters of each other.
• Bankhandi (36 km) : At the Bagulamukhi Mata temple is a stone image of the goddess. At the nearby Shiv temple is a Linga said to have been placed by the Pandavas.
• Haripur (45 km) :There are numerous attractive temples and an old fort.
• Mangarh (37 km) : On top a hill is this octagonal fort named after Raja Man Chand.

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CHINTPURNI

Sati's feet fell at Chintpurni (940m) and the devout come here to leave their worries and pray for boons. The legend goes that the temple came into being after the goddess revealed herself to Maya Dass, an ardent devotee. The temple is built around the Devi's pindi. Her image depicts her without a head, it is said that she cut it of to assuage the blood thirst of her companions. And hence the name, Chinnimastika Devi - 'The Goddess without a Head'.

Access : The closest railhead is at Hoshiarpur in Punjab 43 km away. From Jwalamukhi, the distance is 35 km. Taxis and buses are available at both places.

Climate : In winter, the climate is cold when woolens are required. It is hot in summer and cottons are recommended.


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CHAMUNDA DEVI

Chronicled in the Durga Sapt-Shati, the story goes that on the orders of Shamb and Ni-Shamb, two demons tried to harass the goddess Ambika. Enraged, Ambika knitted her brows and from the folds a horrifying from of Kali emerged. After a great battle, the goddess Kali slew the two demons, Chand and Mund. Delighted by Kali's achievement, Ambika declared that she would now be worshipped here as Chamunda a combination of the demons names. Chamunda Devi temple is at height of 1000m.

Access :The closest airport is at Gaggle, 28 km away. The nearest railhead on the narrow guage line is at Moranda near Palampur, 30 km. Taxis and buses are available at both places. By road, Chamunda Devi is 15 km from Dharamsala and 55 km from Jwalamukhi.

Climate : In winter, the temperature can get quite cold when woolens are required. It is hot in summer and cottons are recommended.

Places of Interest

• Palampur (14 km.), Baijnath (30 km), Andretta (26 km), Tashijong Monastery (25 km) and Bir (38 km).

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