Jwalpa Devi Temple (Uttarakhand) Explained

Jwalpa Devi Temple is a shrine dedicated to the goddess Jwalpa, a form of goddess Parvati.It's situated on the bank of Nawalika River, 34 km from Pauri on the main Pauri-Kotdwar road.^{[1] [2]}

The Anthwal family are the traditional priests and caretakers of this temple, as the present temple was constructed by the late Pandit Shri Dutta Ram Anthwal (the Anthwals, originally from village Aneth, being the landlords of the area).^[3]

Jwalpa Devi is Kuladevi of Thapliyal and Bisht clan.^{[4] [5]}

Festivals

Every year two Navaratris are held, Chaitra and Shardiya ones. A fair is also held on Basant Panchami.^[6]

Legend

According to Skandpurana, Shachi, the daughter of Daityaraj Pulom in Satyuga, had penned the austerity of Maa Parvati, the adhyaksh goddess of the Himalayas at Jwalpa Dham along the river Nayar to receive Indra as husband. Mother Parvati rejoices over Shachi's penance and fulfills her wish, appearing as Deept Jwaleswari, and the place was then named Jwalpa.^[3]

It is also said that Adi Shankaracharya visited and prayed in this temple, and the goddess appeared to him.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Jwalpa Devi Temple District Pauri Garhwal, Government of Uttarakhand India. 2022-02-09. en-US.
2. Web site: मनचाहा वर देती हैं ये देवी, शची ने इंद्र को पाने के लिए यहां की थी तपस्या. 2022-02-09. Amar Ujala. hi.
3. Web site: Ilamurugan. 2020-05-11. Hindu Temples of India: Jwalpa Devi Temple, Pauri, Uttarakhand. 2022-02-09. Hindu Temples of India.
4. Web site: Rawat . Alok . पौड़ी: सुयोग्य वर की कामना लेकर मां ज्वालपा देवी के दरबार पहुंचती हैं अविवाहित कन्याएं . www.abplive.com . 10 May 2024 . hi . 27 September 2022. "दरअसल ज्वाल्पा थपलियाल और बिष्ट जाति के लोगों की कुलदेवी है."
5. Web site: Samvedna . Gadh . #गढ़वाल में #ब्राह्मण #जातियों का #इतिहास . गढ़ संवेदना . 9 May 2024 . 10 January 2024. "गढ़वाली ब्राह्मणों की बेहद खास जाती जिनकी आराध्य माँ ज्वाल्पा है।"
6. Web site: Shilpa. 2019-11-23. Jwalpa Devi Temple, Pauri Garhwal. 2022-02-09. Bharat Temples. en-US.