The ancient temple of Jwala Ji ,built against a wooded spur, has a dome that was glided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Pilgrims consider an eternally burning flame emanating from a hollow rock in the sanctum to be a manifestation of goddess Devi.
The legend associated with the temple is that Sati – granddaughter of Brahma and wife of Shiva -immolated herself to punish her father for not accepting her husband Shiva.This story is where the rather horrific practice of“Sati” where a widow self-immolates herself on her husbands funeral pyre comes from. In his rage at loosing his wife, Shiva danced with her burned corpse on his shoulders and in doing so she fell into 51pieces and landed on earth,each of them a holy place of worship for Hindus.
The Jwala Ji of Kangra is said to be Sati’s fiery tongue
