THE ETERNAL FLAME OF DEVI

“Jwala ji” Kangra in the lap of the Shivaliks in Himachal, about 50 odd kilometers from Dharamshala. Jwala ji or Jwalamukhi is one of such unique places where there have been Flames burning out of nowhere from the time it is known. The Nine Flames signify the Nine Devis of the “Navaratri”. These flames have been burning for ages, non-stop without any fuel The Eternal Flame of the Devi.

- Pradeepta Pradhan

Many of us know that the Shakti Peethas are holy places or energy centres where the Devi resides. One such Shakti Peetha is the “Jwala Ji” Kangra in the lap of the Shivaliks in Himachal, about 50 odd kilometers from Dharamshala. Jwala Ji or Jwalamukhi is one of such unique places where there have been Flames burning out of nowhere from the time it is known. Such places are found outside India, in Nepal and as far as Baku in Azerbaijan.

Fire is central to the Faith and worship for almost every religion; With the Parsis worshiping fire as God and other religions recognizing it as one of the objects to please God. That is the reason some light candles, some diyas and some offer sacrifices to Fire. The Idea of Eternal fire also therefore does come across religions with the concept of “Akhand Deep” and the ever-burning flame of the “Church of the Holy Sepulcher” in Jerusalem. Jwala Ji is a place where there are nine flames which burn with a Bluish tinge at the base of the flames. The Nine Flames signify the Nine Devis of the “Navaratri”. These flames have been burning for ages, non-stop without any fuel - The Eternal Flame of the Devi.