Worship of the female energy in the hills is as old as our Sanatan civilization. The Adi Shakti is worshipped in her different manifestations in both Jammu Region and Himachal Pradesh. Himachal is known as Dev Bhumi and is home to five Shakti Peethas along with other Devi Temples. Hundreds of Shakti Shrines many of which are cave shrines abound in Jammu, a province with ten districts. Himachal and Jammu overlap in areas of culture and language. Historical and literary sources establish that Devi Pujan or Shakti worship is an age-old practice in this northern himalayan region. Adi Shakti or supreme feminine divine is attributed with the powers of creation, nurturing and even destruction. The worship of Shakti is considered a must for peace and prosperity. For the Dogras of Jammu, a martial race, Shakti must also be invoked for victory in battles.
Shakta Traditions in the Northern Himalayas
A large part of Jammu Region sits under the shadow of the Trikuta Mountains, abode of Mata Vaishno, a form of Durga. In fact, if there is anything that has been universally identified with this region, it is the Vaishno Devi cave shrine with its holiest of holy Pindis of MahaLakshmi, MahaKali and MahaSaraswati. Vaishno Devi attracts a high volume of religious tourists, even more than the better promoted and picturesque Kashmir Valley. From Sukrala Mata in Kathua district, bordering Punjab to the Bhadrakali in Bhaderwah in Doda district and Machhail Mata in Kishtwar which is district closer to the Kashmir valley, the region is steeped in Shakti worship.
Sheetla, Cheechi, Bhoomeshwari, Kalka, Sarthal, Pingla, Chountra, Mangla and many more are worshipped as divine mothers. Bawe Wali Mata temple dedicated to Goddess Mahakali is the presiding deity of the city of Jammu. Jammuites believe that it is she who protects the city. The same role of the protector is attributed to the Shakti swaroopain the Mahamaya Temple located on a hilltop, in a forested area bordering Jammu city. Many sub-regions have their own presiding deity and devotees believe that the Supreme Mother watches over and protects them.
The feminine divine has also been acknowledged as a fierce warrior and her blessings are sought during battles. The war cry of Jammu Kashmir Rifles, which earlier was the State Force of the Dogra kingdom of Jammu Kashmir, is “DurgeMata ki Jai”. One of the greatest warriors of India the master of white out operations and mountain blitzkriegs Dogra General Zorawar Singh, who was whose Janmabhoomi was Himachal and Karmabhumi Jammu, was also a Shakti worshipper.
Details of Shakti Puja are also found in the folk songs and ballads sung in the local language Dogri. One of the balldsdescribes how even Bhagwaan Ramchandra worships the Devi –
Kshatri Brahman Sibharde, Puja Paath karai; Ramchandra Mata ji Sirbhada Lachhman da bhai
Comments are closed.