Ayodhya Nath Kerni
Twelve Jyotirlingum located at different places in India are regarded very famous and sacred. Many devotees from all over the country visit these shrines to pay their obeisance. Jyotirlingums are- Vishaweshwar at Kashi(UP), Kedarashewar in Uttarakhand, Mallikarjun at Kurnool (AP), Bhim Shanker in Sahyadri Hills (Maharashtra), Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain (MP), Somnath at Surat (Gujarat), Vaidyanath at Deogarh (Jharkhand), Shri Nagnath in Gujarat, Ghushmeshwar at Ellora, Shri Trambakeshwar at Godawari (Nasik, Maharashtra), Shri Ramashwaram at Setubandh (Tamil Naidu) and Omkareshwara at Narmada. Besides above there are lot many other Shiva temples of great significance located through out the entire country e.g. Shiva temple of Bhunsa (Nagod, MP), Shiva temple of Khoh (Satna Panna, MP), Lingraj temple of Bhubneshwar, Kandaria Mahadev of Khajurao (MP), Shiva Shrine of Amarnath (Kashmir), Dakheshwar Mahadev of Kankhal (Haridwar, Uttarakhand), Kotilingeshwara temple in Kolar (Karnataka), Kapileshwar Mahadev at Chennai, Manimahesh and in a small radius of Bharmour (HP) eighty four Shiva temples are located. As one looks around the Jammu region there are also many famous shiva temples oftenly visited by the devotees. Most ornate and beautifully composed Shiva temples are located at Jammu, Basholi, Bhaderwah, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Akhnoor, Reasi, Swankhan, Purmandal, Billawar, Chenani, Dushalla, Benisang and Sudh Mahadev.
Sudhmahadev is a small town located in the lap of lofty precipitous mountains called as Shivgarh. The peaks of the mountains remain capped with snow during winters and naturally convert to lush green meadows during summers. An atmosphere of serenity pervades the area of exotic beauty and natural bounties. Locals bring their cattle on the tops for the entire season in view of sufficient availability of green fodder. Gujjars have constructed their temporary houses on the tops to spend summer season with their cattle. A naturally grown product called ‘Karsor’ is used as vegetable and pickle is also prepared. The product is also supplied to market for sale. The small town Sudhmahadev is connected with road from Chenani at a distance of 23 Km in North east direction at longitude 75.21 E Lat 33.1 N Elev 1500 m.
The legend attached to the place of pilgrimage is very attractive and common among locals which states that once there lived a demon named Sudhanta near Nara (a secluded spot above Gaukaran where water falls from height). Goddess Parvati usually passed through one end of the forest to the other where she took a bath at the point called Gaurikund. On her return amid the forest she worshipped a Shiva lingum at the present location of temple. One day Sudhanta appeared with his demonic appearance before the Goddess. On seeing the demon with his dissolute and debauched intentions, Goddess prayed for the help of Lord Shiva and also could not avoid a loud shriek. Lord Shiva was busy in meditation on Shivgarh Mountain those days. Lord awoke from meditation and reached for the protection of Goddess Parvati. Lord hurled a big trident on Sudhanta fatally. The throw was so heavy that trident was broken into three pieces and thereby caused a terrible death of the demon. Lord Shiva also asked Sudhanta that life could be further extended to him if he wishes to be alive again. Sudhanta eagerly expressed that he was receiving salvation in the hands of Lord Shiva and his last desire was that his name could be kept alive. Lord Shiva fulfilled his desire by granting his name Sudhanta before own popular name Mahadev. With the passage of time the place came to be called as Sudhmahadev.
The trident contains the inscription engraved on its shaft which is not fully legible. The writing contains three lines which are partially deciphered by Jagan Nath Agarwal ” Sudhmahadev Inscriptions of the son of Vibhunag ” (VI Paper series 194 Hoshiarpur 1967). The name of Vibhunag also appears in another trident inscriptions at Gopeshwar (Chamoli Uttrakhand) Sudhmahadev Inscription on trident is believed to be pertaining to Gupta period. According to Aggarwal Sudh Mahadev was fully developed as a place of pilgrimage during third century AD. The language of inscription is Sanskrit and script contains Brahmi characters brought into use during Gupta period in north-west region. The trident already existed at Sudhmahadev much before Gupta period. Possibility cannot be ruled out that some naga ruler who visited Sudhmahadev during that period may have got engraved the inscription on trident. The translation of the partially read inscription is ” Success has been attained in the year five of his own rule————–by the son of (Maharaja) Vibhunag the Lord of ——world—— but those who perish.”
In the genealogy of Chenani kings there happened to be two kings named Ram Chand. Ram Chand-I was the son of Mir Chand and Ram Chand-II son of Kedar Chand, last king who ruled the Jagir till 1947. During the period of Ram Chand-I who ruled for thirty years about five hundred years back, Shiva temple of Sudhmahadev was constructed. Once king Ram Chand-I thought to know the depth of trident. He ordered his men to dig up the trishul and digging work was carried out for two days. During the night in a dream the king had the instructions from Lord Shiva to immediately stop the digging. He also sought the advice during the dream to prepare a sword of the iron piece but automatically fallen from the trident. The sword will foretell him of the victory or defeat during a war. In case sword is placed under all the weapons and comes up automatically then there will be victory otherwise defeat. This sword was being used by some of later generations and presently whereabout of it are not known.
In view of constant inflow of devotees repairs, renovations and maintenance of temple continues since its construction. Considerable additions were also made. The marble flooring was done during 1939 by a Shiva devotee. There is a small temple of Guru Gorakhnath just opposite to Shiva temple having provided with the marble idol of Gorakhnath. A small Ganesh temple has also been constructed to its north side. Nandigans are erected at different points. A havan kund is held in the centre of a hall to offer oblations to the deities.
There are two live Samadhis of Baba Roopnath and Baba Bhoop Nath. Both the above mehants have gone to Samadhi while living. The samadhis of other Mehants are Baba Mangal Dass,Manbasa Nath,Bhandar Nath, Champa Nath, Vaikunth Nath,Balak Nath,Shiv Nath,Nurat Nath,Mishri Nath,Gopal Nath and Dhuni Nath. The fire lit by Baba Roop Nath still continues. Dhooni remains burning. The ashes are never removed from Dhooni despite burning a large quantum of wood. The small kund never gets filled with ashes inspite of burning of fire round the clock.
For past few years the management of the Shiva temple has been taken over by the Dharmarth Trust. The maintenance of temple is being carried out properly and regularly. A big hall was constructed for the convenience and stay of devotees. The utensils and other facilities are being provided to the devotees who organize Bhandara.
On the full moon day of Jyeshtha month each year a mela is organized for three consecutive days. Thousands of people gather from the area around and far away places to celebrate the festival. Many buses are provided direct from Jammu to Sudhmahadev and back on Mela days for the conveyance of devotees. Arrangements for plying of buses from Udhampur are also made.The stalls are arranged to impart knowledge of increasing agricultural production and growing of various vegetables since the area around is most suitable for growing vegetables.
During the night, folk lore, playing of flutes and beating of drums followed by dance by the locals dressed in best Dogra attire reflect the inherited culture of the region. The Dogri classical songs called ‘Bhakh’ are also sung by the groups of singers during night. Though a considerable change has occurred in the dress and fashion for few years yet the inherited old fashion could be traced among only some locals during the festival. After mid night devotees start proceeding to Nara where water cascades down the mountain side under which devotees receive the holy bath and again return to mela venue. There are other significant holy spots located near by : Gaurikund, Gaukaran, Pap nashini Bauli, Haridwar and Budhsudh etc. The mela concludes after three days. A wrestling match is also organised during the festival where wrestlers from local area and far away places participate.
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