Bhaderwah: The Neglected Heritage
|
Swaran
Bawli (golden spring)
Situated at the bottom of
Aashapati peak of Kailash moun-tain range on Western side of Bhaderwah town, a
spring bowl made up of gold has religious importance for people of Bhaderwah. On
the first Sharadh following Navratras in the month of October/November
people take a dip in the icy cold water of the spring, which is covered by a
thick layer of snow to purify them from sins. Legend goes that there existed a
golden spring whence an old lady of Padha family would fetch water every day
for drinking as well as cooking purpose. One day she fell ill and in her place
her daughter-in-law went to fetch the water. When the young lady reached the
spring she was surprised to see that it was made of huge golden bricks. So that
nobody could see this golden spring bowl she covered it by her white dupatta
(head sheet) and went to inform her brothers about the precious spring. But by
the time they returned, the white head sheet had already turned into a thick
layer of ice. They tried to dig the bowl, but in vein and returned home tired
and exhausted. It is said that since then the bowl remains buried under snow
which does not melt even during hot summer days when there is no trace of snow
found in and around Ashapati hill.
An
English man had also tried to dig the bowl with the help of a large contingent
of labour, but the task could not be accomplished because serpents one after
another started coming out from under the snow sheet and before the greedy man
could understand as to what was happening a gigantic land slide occurred turning
the bowl place into a big heap of debris. Since then nobody ever tried to go for
the misadventure and the secret of the golden bowl remains buried for ever.
Shantan Dehra
On the Western side of Satangal Power House an
acient temple of Shantan Nag is situated on a hillock. Being surrounded by thick
devdar trees, the place offers fascinating scene. Though the small temple is
bereft of any idols there are some ancient shivlingams present in the
small ground around the temple. Recently, an ancient idol of Lord Surya
has been found in the temple yard that speaks volumes about thepast glory of the
temple.
Shantan Nag who is considered as one of many brothers of Vasuki Nag is supposed
to be a powerful deity.
If he
saves his worshippers from evil, he also punishes those showing disgrace to him.
Sant Ram was one of the poojaris of Shantan Nag. He used to perform pooja
of the Naag deity regularly. But when he became old his sons took the
pooja casually every one of the family perished. Today their house and land
have been occupied by some one else.
There
is yet another example that shows how powerful Shantan Nag has been. In the
vicinity of Shantan Dehra, there lives a Muslim family which flourished and
prospered in a phonetic manner as long as it paid obesince to the Nag in their
own way. But the hundred year old unity of this family of 80/90 souls fell like
a sand wall when its younger generation stopped respecting the holy deity. Today
the family stands shattered and fragm-ented in dozens of small families
quarreling and fighting with each other.
People though visit Dehra as and when they want his blessings, yet the main
function is held on Herai jater that falls in the month of
July/August every year when the priest amidst chanting of religious slogans
destroys the heap of burning charcoal in wajad called grehni. In the same
condition he makes a forecast about the coming events that generally turns true.
Seetla Mata Temple,
Rehoshra
Perched on a hillock called Rehoshra on the
Eastern side of Chinta valley is the ancient Seetla Mata temple. Till recently,
an old time dharamshala also existed here, but when militancy broke
militants loaded with communal frenzy burnt the ancient structures without
destroying the faith of people in Mata though. A grand temple is on anvil, which
will soon come up with money collected from the followers of the Mata. Poojaris
who belong to nearby village Sunarthao have been performing worship of the Mata
since time immemorial though during harsh winters the pooja has to be
abandoned when the hill is covered by heavy snow. There is an ancient idol of
Goddess Seetla in the temple. People both local as well belonging to adjoining
Chamba and Kathua throng in large numbers to pay obeisance to the Mata
throughout the year, but the main function is held on 8th
Navratra falling in September/October every year when hundreds of lambs are
sacrificed and their mutton distributed, cooked and eaten as prashad.
On
the nearby Jantroon Dhar about a couple of miles away from Rihoshra is a pond
of crystal clear water. It is situated at the highest portion of the hill where
chances of water coming from around are bleak. Still the pond remains full of
water throughout the year. Surprisingly, there is a thick sheet of grass spread
over the surface of the pond and holes have been made in the grass sheet through
which devotees hang themselves to have a dip of holy water. It is believed that
fairies bathe in the pond and to hide themselves from human eyes they have woven
the grass sheet over the surface of the pond. People in large numbers from the
surrounding villages reach for taking a dip in the holy water on full moon day
of Sawan( July-August) every year.
Subar Nag Temple
The ancient temple of Subar Nag on the sprawling
Subar pasture opens for Darshans on first of Baisakh(April 13) every
year. The location of the temple is such that Bhaderwah town though miles away
can be seen from here. The temple houses an ancient idol of Subar Nag. Like the
idol the temple of Subar Nag was also an ancient one which fell victim to the
frenzy of militants and was burnt during mid nineties when militancy was at its
peak. Now an RCC structure at the place of the ancient temple has come up here.
Thousands of devotees from surroun-ding areas including Chinta, Bhalra, Barasua,
Chirala and Bhlara throng thr holy place and celiberate Baisakhi every year.
Another festival is held in the temple on the annual Jater of Chinta
that falls in Bhadon( July). This day before dawn, people in large numbers
reach Subar Temple carrying wooden Mashals in their hands. These
Mashals are put one on another in the form of a camp fire that soon turns into a
big heap of glowing coal, which is destroyed by the priests bare foot amidst
chanting of religious slogans. During the process the pujaris make fore
cast, which generally comes true. It is also believed that the newly wed young
man whose Mashal reaches the compound of the temple first gets a male baby from
his wife due to the blessings of the deity Nag.
Thubu Nag Temple
Thubu Nag is yet another deity that is famous for
blessing his devotees with a male baby. Its temple is situated on a hill a
little above the Bhaderwah- Jai Road that separates Bhaderwah from Chinta
valley. Both the vallies can be seen from here. In the wee hours of the morning
following Malchey second annual jater of Chinta valley falling in the
autumn every year a large procession starting from Karai reaches Thubu Temple
and performs pooja there.
Nagni Mata Temple
On the right side of Bhaderwh-Jai pedestrian is
situated the temple of Nagni Mata, which is considered as sister of Thubu Nag.
People in large numbers in the form of procession converge at Nagni Mata Temple
every year on first Baisakh for paying obeisance to their deity Goddess. On this
occasion langer are organized and meat of the lambs that are sacrificed in
honour of the Mata is served as prasad.
Alalbani Temple
This is yet another ancient
temple in Bhaderwah locality. This temple which is situated on a hill top is the
only temple where ancient musical instruments made of Copper are played upon to
please the deity even today. The main festival is held on Janamashtmi. The
deity housed in the ancient temple is known for great spiritual powers. Some
years ago some one ventured to capture a portion of the temple land. When all
efforts, legal or otherwise failed, people of the area prayed before the deity
to punish the trespassers. It is said that since then no healthy child has born
in the defaulter family.
NEXT
>>
CLICK FOR THE PHOTO
GALLERY OF HINDU ART OF BHADARWAH
Copyright © 2006 www.bhaderwah.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Website designed, developed & maintained
by
G - Hosting & Software Solutions. Jammu
+91-9419216208,
+91-9797363355,
+91-9419616447
|
ABOUT US
| ADVERTISE
WITH US |
PRIVACY POLICY
| CONTACT US
| ©2006 www.bhaderwah.com
|