One of the most Powerful temples in Jammu City is this Mahakali temple. Our cab
driver was citing an incident to narrative the Power of the Goddess. During the 1971
war Pakistan war planes were going to target the bridge across the Tawi River which
would mean that the city of Jammu would be totally cut off from rest of the country.
The city people prayed to Maa to save their city. While the war planes were flying over
the city looking to bomb the bridges all they could see was only river water and no bridge
but saw a lady in red saree walking with a lamp in her hand along the banks.
So it seems the planes flew back without targeting the city.
Hearing this we wanted to go and seek the blessings of Maa
Kali.
The temple is situated within the Bahu Fort and hence derives its name Bawe wali (meaning
the resident of Bahu fort) Mata Temple. The devotees are made to walk through
shopping lanes to reach the Fort entrance and through which you enter and at the end
of the lawn you climb up the stairs to reach inside the Fort and go to the temple.
The main sannadhi has Kali mata (calcutta Kali). On the right is the idol of Vaishnodevi
Mata and the left has the Ashtras of Kali as the manifestation of Kali. On the side is the
Siva Lingam and Vishnu and Brahma. The small santum sanctorium vibrates with such
positive energy and because of this Power attracts lot of her devotees. The other sannadhis
include separate Lingam, Ma, etc. Originally there were animal sacrifices done in the
temple. But nowadays it is symbolic and a goat is tethered to the pole and people pay
a small amount to denote their sacrifice which goes towards its upkeep.
The Bahu Fort overlooks the mighty Tawi River. The surrounding forest area has been
converted into a beautiful park known
as
the “Bagh-e-Bahu”. Influenced by the Mughal gardens, the park provides a
fantastic view of Jammu city. The fort was built by Raja Bahulochan around 3000
years ago. The temple is considered to
be second only to the Mata Vaishnodevi
temple.
Legend and History
The temple is believed to have been built during 8th century
in 1822 a little after the
Maharaja Gulab Singh came to power. As per local
folklore, it is believed that around
300 years ago, goddess Maha Kali appeared
in Pandit Jagat Ram Sharma’s dream
and spoke about her appearance in the form
of a Pindi or stone buried on the hill top.
Shortly after that a stone was found
and a temple was built on the hill. The black stone
that is symbolic of the
goddess is said to have been got from
Ayodhya by the kings
belonging to the Solar dynasty, Raja Bahu Lochan and Raja
Jambu Lochan much
before the temple was constructed.
Saneeshwaran temple on the way tothe fort
Towards the fort entrance
Maa kali
Maa Kali in the center flanked by Vaishnodevi ma on the right and the Ashtras of devi on the left
Photo courtesy temple page in FB
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