Sanjeev Okay. Sharma
On prime of a hill, on the financial institution of mystic Tawi river in Jammu stands a fort housing the favored and revered shrine of Goddess Kali, standard in Jammu as ‘Bawe Wali Mata’. A lot earlier than the dawn, sounds of ringing bells, blowing of conch, Aarti (particular prayer in reward of the Goddess) and Vedic hymns from this Fort Shrine fill the air round symbolizing blessings of the deity and giving a peaceable soothe to each soul round.
Because the solar rises and strikes forward, go to of devotees begins on the shrine with their quantity rising steadily whereas on sure days like Tuesdays, Sundays and Navratras this quantity principally break all of the earlier information resulting in serpentine queues necessitating deployment of cops to take care of further vigil to stop any untoward incident by the hands of anti-social components.
The temple of ‘Bawe Wali Mata’ was in-built 1350 BC by Raja Bahu Lochan whereas the photo voltaic dynasty Kashtriya king put in the idol of Mahakali in it. Because the idol of Goddess is contained in the fort, the deity is often known as ‘Bahu Gadh Rani’.
Some researchers claimed that in 1820 AD, Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh had Darshan of the Goddess after which he ordered renovation and reconstruction of the temple. A few years again the temple was surrounded by lush inexperienced forests from nearly all the perimeters however presently human settlements have taken place adjoining the fort thereby decreasing the forest cowl round it. Because the forest cowl across the temple bought decreased, the animals, particularly monkeys, misplaced their pure habitat and consequently they made their intrusions into the temple advanced of Bawe Wali Mata as there was nothing left for them to eat as a result of wild fruits on which they used to rely earlier vanished away because the forests made means for human settlements.
Now, all through the day, the temple stays haunted by these simians who even snatch issues particularly Prasad from the visiting devotees. How near hearts is that this shrine in Jammu may be simply seen by standing on the Tawi bridge and watching passersby-pedestrians in addition to these on automobiles, as nearly everybody, whereas shifting by means of the bridge, bow his/her head in the direction of the Fort Shrine to pay respect to the deity and this act of bowing head has now turn out to be an integral a part of Jammu tradition. Amongst many issues contained in the fort is a pond with water and there are stairs manufactured from pink sandstone to enter the water physique. There may be magnificent work of pink sandstone on this pond. Whereas some individuals say that the pond was made in order that the individuals dwelling adjoining to the temple could gather water for his or her use, others have totally different views on this. The Fort Shrine is now an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument. A giant door manufactured from wooden referred to as ‘Deodi’ is the primary entrance to the shrine and a few cops stay stationed there to examine the devotees as issues manufactured from leather-based should not allowed contained in the temple. Contained in the temple lies sanctum sanctorum within the type of an idol of Goddess Kali, which legends say was introduced from Calcutta by the erstwhile monarch who constructed the Fort Shrine. The Goddess within the shrine is superbly attired with uncommon treasured garments, distinctive jewelry of gold, silver and treasured stones, flowers of many varieties and so forth.
A large copper bell hangs close to the shrine entrance which the devotees beat earlier than coming into the shrine to have Darshan of the Goddess. Adjoining the principle temple there are various different temples, some just lately constructed whereas others constructed many years again. At one aspect of the Fort lies the favored Bagh-e-Bahu Park from the place one could simply have a glimpse of most a part of the Jammu metropolis. Amongst many legends describing the glory of Bawe Wali Mata, the one highlighting the Goddess as a divine energy at all times safeguarding J&Okay may be very standard.
As per this legend, in 1965 Indo-Pak battle because the planes of enemy entered Jammu to bomb the Tawi bridge, the belligerent pilot solely noticed darkness all over the place amidst which appeared a bit woman in divine pink gown with (Jyot) lit earthen lamp in her fingers. Many extra such miracles are mirrored in Dogri people songs of Jammu particularly in Karaks. Tuesdays, Sundays and Navratras are particular days on the temple of Bawe Wali Mata as massive variety of devotees go to the shrine on lately to pay obeisance. Many visiting devotees bear ‘Jatars’ and ‘Chowkis’ of the Goddess whereas some go to carrying holy Chaddi. Pandit Mulkh Raj-priest on the temple knowledgeable that Mela Bahu Fort is organized on the shrine throughout Navratras twice a 12 months. Throughout Navratras and on different particular days many buses, mini-buses and different automobiles are specifically organized collectively by devotees from villages adjoining Jammu and in addition from different locations to go to the shrine whereas many different individuals manage Langars to serve eatables to the visiting devotees and stalls of particular dishes for these observing fasts additionally stays there in place. The time for opening and shutting of the temple throughout Navratras is 4 am and 10 pm respectively and the temple stays closed from 2 pm to three pm within the afternoon throughout lately. On Sundays and Tuesdays, the temple opens at 5 am and closes at 9 pm whereas on different days it opens at 6 am and closes at 8 pm. In between, it’s closed from 1 pm to 2 pm. Throughout particular days, many distributors go to this revered place to promote various things whereas girls and women principally get Mehandi utilized over their fingers whereas visiting the shrine. At shrine many individuals supply sure issues to the deity on getting their wishes fulfilled whereas others carry out ‘Kanjak Pujan’ for which many small women from the adjoining space go to the temple in order that the devotees could also be facilitated in performing the ritual. Pandit Mulkh Raj additionally knowledgeable that earlier goats had been sacrificed on the shrine however for the final some 150 years the apply has been abolished after the Goddess was happy by sure rituals to just accept the stay goat which is standard on the shrine as ‘Shili’. “Water with some rice, flowers and vermilion is rubbed over the again of the goat and when it shakes its physique it reveals that the sacrifice has been accepted by the deity,” the priest stated. Exterior the temple is a small market with most outlets promoting Prasad, eatables and different choices for the deity like Chunri, flowers, garlands, Dhoop and so forth.
Pooja (worship) on the shrine is completed by Baridars by taking turns with three clergymen remaining on the temple at a time whereas eight others keep at different adjoining temples to facilitate the visiting devotees. Pandit Mulkh Raj additionally knowledgeable that worship and different spiritual rituals on the temple had been carried out by Pandit Neelkanth Khajuria in the course of the rule of Maharaja Pratap Singh in J&Okay. As Pandit Neelkanth Khajuria had no son, he made his daughter’s son Vishwanath Mangotra as inheritor to the temple for performing worship and different spiritual rituals. Immediately the clergymen performing the worship and different rituals on the temple are from the dynasty of Vishwanath Mangotra. When requested about demand from sure quarters {that a} shrine board must be made for the temple as there may be lack of improvement, Pandit Mulkh Raj stated: “As the complete advanced of the shrine is presently below ASI, so none aside from ASI could make any improvement or change on the shrine space however nonetheless the place has all of the required amenities out there for visiting devotees.” He additional stated that those that are elevating pointless hue and cry have vested pursuits. Many volunteers additionally go to the temple to help totally different duties in the course of the particular days whereas totally different departments additionally press into service their groups for sure events. The temple remained shut for 2 years (2020 and 2021) due to nationwide lockdown triggered by lethal COVID-19 pandemic however now in upcoming Navratras of September 2022 enthusiasm is anticipated to revisit the shrine.
