Mata Bala Sundri Temple Nagri - Kathua

Mata Bala Sundri temple is a historic sacred temple which is located on the outskirts of Parole village. Mata Bala Sundri temple is around 13 kilometers away from the Kathua District. Mata Bala Sundri is also popular as Bala Ji Sundri. The Mata Bala Sundri Temple is covered by a grove of mango trees. According to the mythology, a Brahmin was cutting down the grass and then hit his sickle on a stone that started oozing blood out of it. Later, the mata came into his dream and ordered him to place a stone for worship under the banyan tree. Soon after the stone was considered to be the reincarnation of the sacred goddess and enshrined in the shrine. Several devotees came here during the popular festival of Hindus, Navratri. A big fair was held in this temple during the Navratri Festival. Bus service is also available from the Kathua district to reach Mata Bala Sundri temple.

(Mata Bala Sundri, Kathua)(source- jagran.com)

(Source- Facebook.com)

NAME OF GODDESS- Mata Bala Sundri

ADDRESS- Nagri-Parole, Jammu and Kashmir, 184151, India

AREA- Airwan, Parole, Khokhial, Saidpur, Kotpunnu.

CITY- Kathua

Vaishno Devi Temple during Navratri festival

 SHRI MATA VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE DURING NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

(Vaishno Devi Temple)(source-Google)

‘Navratri’ or ‘Navratra’ is a united word that means Nine Nights. ‘Nav’ means Nine and ‘Ratri’ means Night so together it means Navratri or Nine Nights. This festival is known as ‘Navratri’ in the Northern part of India. During the first three days of Navratri, the Goddess is blessed as a spiritual force known as Durga who is also called Kali to demolish all our immorality, defects, and impurities.

During the second three days of Navratri, the Mother Goddess is admired as a giver of spiritual wealth called Lakshmi, who is observed to have the power of bestowing on her devotees’ unlimited wealth. She is known as The Goddess of Wealth. And the set of the last three days of Navratri is consumed in worshipping of the Goddess of Wisdom, Mata Saraswati.

Though the yatra to the temple of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is the entire year event the one undertaken during the Navratri time it is considered to be the most favorable. To have extensive success in life, believers look for the blessings of all the three characteristics of the divine femininity during the period of nine nights in Navratri.

(Decoration of temple during Navratri)

(Source- Google)

(Aarti view of the temple)(source- Google)

To expose and highlight the heritage, regional culture, and traditions of the area during the time of Navratri the Jammu and Kashmir State Tourism Department has going to introduce the Navratri Festival as an annual event which is going to be held for all nine favorable days of the Navratris.

During the Navratri period, a large number of devotees and tourists pay their homage to the deity. During the time of Navratri, this festival exposes the religious traditions as well as the famous culture of the Jammu Region among the millions of devotees who visit the Vaishno Devi Shrine.

(Crowd during Navratri)(source- Google)

A ‘Shobha Yatra’ was departed in Katra Town, the base camp for the devotees who came to visit the temple of Vaishno Devi. According to the officials, complex arrangements have been made by the local administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for the pilgrims. On the way to the temple, sanitation facilities, and requisite water facilities have been administered. Special food will be provided at Shrine Board eateries for the devotees who are fasting in Navratri. During the Navratri celebration, tight security has been commenced on the way to the temple.

(New route to the temple)(source- Google)

(Vaishno Devi Shrine Board)(source-google)

Peer Kho Cave

 PEER KHO CAVE- the oldest one

(Peer Kho Cave Temple)(source- Google)

The Peer Kho Cave is a temple that is raised as the highlight in the tourist places list of Jammu and Kashmir. As per the archaeological records, the Peer Kho Cave Temple was established in the fifteenth century when Raja Ajaib Dev was under rule. Peer Kho Cave temple is one of the other well-known Shiva temples in the Jammu region. Acacia forests and igneous rocks set out as the backdrop to this cave temple. These trees make the environment more acceptable for God’s worship. Even though various famous legends are connected to the Peer Kho Cave Temple. The antiquity of the temple cannot yet be dated with confidence. Some people considered that this is one of the oldest historic places in the Shiwalik Region. The story of the temple goes that the Jamvant who is the bear God who played a key role in helping Lord Rama in conquering the Demon Ravana in the populous epic Ramayana had cogitated in the Peer Kho Cave temple for a long duration. That is why this temple is also called the Jamvant Cave. It is widely believed that the Shiva Lingam was established naturally in the cave of Peer Kho Temple and the people of the Jammu region began worshipping it conscientiously with a lot of respect.

Peer Kho Cave is situated around 3.5 kilometers away from Jammu City. This cave temple is located on the busy circular road but this temple is easily attainable from different corners of Jammu City.

Inside the temple, there are two natural caves each of the caves is having a depth of about 20 to 30 feet. Peer Kho Cave temple experiences the huge inundation of devotees which grows during the celebration of Shivratri and other Hindu Festivals. The Aap Shambu Temple, The Ranbireshwar Temple, and The Panjbakhtar Temple are the other temples that are situated in proximity to the Peer Kho Cave Temple.

Entry fees- None

Timings- From 5 am to 7 pm

Famous for- The splendid sight of spirituality where sadhus are totally in their zone and being the oldest temple in the Jammu city.

(Peer Kho Cave)(source- Google)