Narsingh Temple Ghagwal (Samba)

Narsingh Ji Temple Ghagwal

Dr Narinder Paul

Narsingh Ji temple is situated in the heart of Ghagwal town of the newly carved Samba District and lies at about 17 Km from the District headquarters. The temple lies at a walking distance both from the bus stop on National   Highway 1-A as well as railway station Ghagwal. By road this temple can be reached from Pathankot, Lakhanpur, Kathua, Jammu stations through a number of easily assessable transportation means. Besides, through rail route, it is also easily approachable both from Pathankot and Jammu railway stations as it lies close to the Ghagwal railway station and a number of trains take halt at this station.

 It is an ancient temple devoted to Lord Narsingh Ji and dates back to 1650 years ago. Literally, Nar- means Human being and Singh- means Lion. Narsingh is the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu in unified form with lower portion of body of the human being and upper portion of a sinhga (lion). It is believed that Lord Vishnu reincarnated itself in this form to free this earth from the cruelties of Hirnakashyapa- a Devil as he had taken blessings from Lord Bharama ji that he will never be killed either by a man or by an animal. To kill him, Lord Vishnu reincarnated itself half man and half animal which came to be known as Narsingh Avtar.

The main gate of the temple lies towards main bazar Ghagwal on Ghagwal-Sanoora-Rajpura road. After one enters the main gate, there is a pathway leading to the second gate. On the right side of the pathway there is a Naag Devta Mandir.  Towards the left side, there lies a big pond which earlier remained filled with clean water through out the year and people used to take bath in it before performing darshan in the temple but now the pond has dried up. It is encouraging that the work of revival of this pond is in progress.

The temple has deity in three different forms first Viraat Narsigh Avtar, Second Narsingh Roop and third Maa Annapurna. All the three forms are housed together at the temple. These three sanctorums have been placed below the naturally excavated idol of Narsingh Bhagwan with Maa Annapurna in the left hand side, Viraat Narsingh Avtar in the right and Narsingh Roop at the centre. Besides, idols of Sri Ram , Lakshman, Sita and Radha Krishan are also placed near these sanctorums. In addition to it, the main complex of the temple has temples of Shiv Parvati, Asth-Dasha, Mata Durga, Lord Dharam Raja and Lord Mahaveer ji Hanumaan.

Many legends have been associated with the origin of the sacred idols lying in the temple. One popular legend says that once upon a time there was a farmer. He had seven sons. One year due to drought crop yield reduced and grain production remained very low as compared to the previous years. While the heap of the produce was in the field, sons of the farmer began to quarrel over the share of the produce. Suddenly a divine girl came there and asked the reason for their quarrel. On hearing them, she blessed them to go to the heap of the grains and fill in the bags as they could. “This heap will never be finished.” Saying that she went away. The farmer’s sons stared filling the grains in the bags and lifting it to their houses. Days passed but the grains in that heap could not come to an end.

This news spread like a jungle fire. People from the surrounding areas also filled and carried the grains but the heap remained as such. The news reached the King’s darbar. He  was also requested to fill the grains for the godowns. His soldiers did so. All the godowns were filled with grains but the heap of the grains remained unreduced. The people began to worry over it. After consultations with the spiritual and elderly people, it was decided to dig the place where heap was lying. On digging, the natural sanctorum of Maa Annapurna appeared from below the field where the heap was lying. This natural sanctorum of Maa Annapurna is lying in the temple alone with Narsingh Roop and Virat Narsingh Avtar at one place in the temple today.  The natural sanctorum of Maa Annapurna is of the shape and colour of wheat grain. It has the images of all the foodgrains inscribed on it. As regards other two sanctorums, and idol of Narsingh ji Bhagwan, it is believed that they have been excavated below from the tri-species tree i.e. Pepal, Neem and Sehtoot growing in the intermingling from together in the premises of the temple complex. The sanctorum of Viraat Narsing Avtar is of the shape of lion head. 

The Narsingh Bhagwan and Maa Annapurna be-seated in the temple have been believed to have agriculture importance. When ever farmers sow their crops, they put the seed in the well prepared fields in the name of Narsingh Bhagwan. They have faith that Narsingh ji Bhagwan will ensure good germination of their crops, ensure good crop stand, protect their crops from all natural calamities and ensure bumper yields. Moreover, after the harvest the grains are filled before offering some part of their newly harvested produce to Narsingh Ji Temple. Besides farmers also purchase the milch animals after the name of Narsingh Bhagwan and dedicate the milk of their cattle for first few days to the Narsingh Ji temple after parturition. In addition to it newly born children especially male are offered before Narsingh Ji Bhagwan and then purchased by the parents from the temple Mahant with the belief that the Bhagwan will protect the children through out his life from all evils.

The main festival celebrated in the temple is the Kumb Mela which is conducted during the time of Kumb Mela at Haridwar, Ujjain, Nasik and Prayagraj. Devotees throng the temple during the month of December every year when Rathakhara Mela is celebrated in Ghagwal town with religious fervour and gaiety as well as great pomp and show for a week. On the occasion of Janamasthmi a grand festival cum mela is held at the temple  for eight days. Daily numerous devotees  throng the temple  to perform darshan of the Narsingh Ji Bhagwan. The langar at the temple complex is run 24 hours for the devotees.

The temple Mahant is accorded the status of Maha-Mandaleswar, the Gadhi also known as Amarnath Jammu-Kashmir Nagar Khalsa. The Mahant Gadhi is also situated in the temple premises. A higher secondary school is also being run by the present temple Mahant Bairaghi Sri Ajay Dass ji Maharaj. The temple complex also has Samadhis of the former Mahants of the temple. Prime among is the samadi of Nar Hari Dass Ji Maharaj .

(The Author is Agriculture Extension Officer)

Shudmahadev Temple

Shoolpaneshwar Sri Sudhmahadev Shrine: The abode of Lord Shiva
Dr Narinder Paul
Lord Shiva has always revealed itself at remote and far-flung places full of natural beauty and divineness. Often Lord Shiva prefers the hilly places and uniqueness of these places have attracted the devotees of Shiva to explore these with great enthusiasm and religious fervor. One of such places of great importance for the devotees is Sudhmahadev which lies in the Chenani Tehsil  of Udhampur District at a distance of 50 Km from the District Headquarters and 110 Km from Jammu. This beautiful place is located at an altitude of 1225 m above sea level. The temple at Sudhmahadev is believed to be 2800 years old and is a pilgrims’ destination. The important attractions at Sudhmahadev are Lord Shiva’s giant trident, Lord Shiva’s natural idol, Paap Nasini Bowli, Gauri Koond, Mantalai etc.
Lord Shiva’s black coloured Aapshambhu statue: The temple at Sudhmahadev has natural bluish black marble lingum of Lord Shiva inside. The lingum has three faces believed to be of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh mounted on nandi with Parvati maa and Ganesh ji. It is believed that this statue was found from below the earth by a farmer while he was tilling his fields in the vicinity of the temple. He informed the king of the same. The king ordered to shift it to Chennai to erect a temple over it. But the statue got fixed at the present place and could not be removed. Finally temple was constructed over it at Sudhmahadev. Earlier temple had only one gate. But keeping in view the heavy rush of the pilgrims during the mela, a second opening has been made recently in the temple.
Lord Shiva’s holy trident: In front of the temple of  Suhdmahadev, the tall holy trident of Lord Shiva is erected. The trident has three distinct broken parts; upper portion, middle portion outside and lower portion inside the earth. It is believed that Lord Shiva had hurled this trident on Devil Sudhanth and this killed him. The trident got broken and so it was left by lord Shiva there. People generally tie red cloth to this trident as it is believed that it fulfills all their wishes. Many legends are locally popular which explain the origin of the trident (trishul) at this place. A well relied legend explains that Sudhanth was stern devotee of Lord Shiva. One day he saw Mata Parvati who was meditating hard for Lord Shiva. He approached her to pay obeisance but his demonic look frightened Mata which led to her shriek hearing which lord Shiva thought her in trouble and threw his trident hardly aiming at the place from where sound came. Thereafter, Lord heard the sound of om namah shivaey. He realizsed that he might have killed his own devotee. He appeared at the place where he saw dying Sudhanth. He offered to revive his life but later refused and preferred to die at the hands of Lord Shiva. He was however blessed by Shiva that his name will be prefixed with the name of Mahadev and the place will be called Sudhanth Mahadev which later on came to known as Sudhmahadev.  Another legend however says that Sudhanth devil approached meditating Mata Parvati with bad intention which led to his death by Lord Shiva. He begged pardon for his sin. Lord Shiva not only forgave and offered salvation to him; but also blessed with the prefixing of his name before Mahadev’s own name.
Guru Gourakh Nath’s Ji Temple: Just opposite to the Lord Shiva’s temple in the premises of Sudhmahadev, there is temple of Guru Gorkh Nath ji believed to be constricted after the construction of the main temple. It has white colored marble idol of Guru Gorkh Nath Ji. Towards its left side there is statue of Nandi Ganji below which there is “Garbhjoon”. It is believed that passing below the idol of Nandi Ganji  relieves one of the sins and paves the way to attain salvation.
Live Samadhi of Baba Roop Nath Ji: In the temple premises there is live smadhi of Baba Roop Nath Ji who had attained smadhi here. Besides, there is a continuous Dhooni (Eternal flame) which has been constantly burning ever since Baba Roop Nath Ji is said to be living in the temple. The Dhooni explains the spiritual attainments of Baba and is still kept constantly burning. Devotees take sacred ash from the dhooni as prashad (Bhiuti).
Mortal remains of Sudhanth Devil: The mortal remains of Sudhanth Devil who was believed to be killed by Lord Shiva by his giant trident have been placed towards the left side of the main temple. Those who pour water over the Devotees pour water over the mortal remains of Sudhanth devil after pouring water over Shiv lingum.
Statue of Kaal Bhairab Nath: Opposite to the divine trident there is a tall black coloured statue of Kaal Bhairavh believed to be excavated from below the earth who is also worshipped by the devotees.
Paap Nashini bhowli: Sudhmahadev has spring by the name of Paap Nashini bowli. It is called so because taking a bath in it relieves the devotees of all their sins and inculcates the spirit of devotion for Lord Shiva. Devotees take bath in the bhowli so as to purify them before entering the temples premises. On the occasion of mela, people establish friendship bond at this pious place by exchanging their turbans and take pledge to help each other throughout life.
Gauri Koond: Lies at about 2.5 Km before Sudhmahadev village on Chennani- Mantalai road. Goauri Kund bus stop has 4-6 shops. The temple lies at about 500 meter distance at steep high elevation from the road. The hilly path leading towards the temple is 5 feet wide and is cemented with stairs at many places. The passage is full of natural beauty and wild vegetation, natural sweet water streams flowing from within the hills. The legend associated with Gauri Koond is that Mata Parvati, the daughter of King Himanchal of Chennai worshipped and meditated hard at this place for a very long time to get Lord Shiva as her husband. The top hill is also considered as the origin of the Devak stream which flows a few kilometers downstream and disappears mysteriously. It is also believed that Mata Parvati used to take bath in the waters of the spring before worshipping Lord Shiva. As such the spring is highly scared to the Shiva’s devotees.
Maantalai: situated at a distance of 8 Km from Sudhmahadev on Sudhmahadev-Latti road. It is quite enchanting hilly resort situated on the top of the hill. Numerous tall deodar trees add to its natural beauty with the surroundings full of cool and fresh air. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati got married at this place. On the bank of the pond there is Arpaneshwar Mahadev Temple devoted to Lord Shiva. It also has ashram of Yog Guru Late Swami Dharendra Brahamchari which is now in ruins.
A three days annual fair is held at Sudhmahadev on the full moon night of “Sawan” (During the month of June) to worship the trident and lord Shiva. On the occasion, several langars are organized by the voluntary organizations. Besides, governmental agencies also make full arrangements for the pilgrims. There remains a heavy rush at the place during mela.
(The Author is Agriculture Extension officer)