| Jwalamukhi
Temple is situated 30 km south of Kangra valley. Dedicated to Goddess
Jwalamukhi, there is a copper pipe in this temple through which natural
gas comes out and the priest of the temple lights this. This flame
is worshiped as a manifestation of the goddess Jwalamukhi. The nine
flames have been named after Goddesses - Mahakali, Unpurna, Chandi,
Hinglaj, Bindhya Basni, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi.
These flames burn continuously without any fuel or assistance and
may be seen erupting from a rock-side.
Ancient
legends speak of a time when demons lorded over the Himalaya mountains
and harassed the gods. Led by Lord Vishnu, the gods decided to destroy
them. They focused their strengths and huge flames rose from the
ground. From that fire, a young girl took birth. She is regarded
as Adishakti-the first 'shakti'.
According
to another legend, the Goddess appeared in a dream to a Brahmin
in far away South India, and directed him to proceed to the hills
of Kangra in the shadow of the Dhauladhars and search for small
tongues of flame leaping from the ground. The Brahmin, it is said
responded discovered the sacred spot and in due course of time,
erected a temple.
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