Rajinder Chand Anthal
Sudhmahadev Mela is one of the most important three day long religious event of Jammu Province. This year the Mela will start from 4th of June. Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, only the important religious rituals concerning the Mela will be performed with prescribed guidelines.
In the earlier days a long yatra was associated with the mela covering ancient Lord Shiva temples like Chenani, Mandir Dushalla, Benisang and Haridwar, etc., on the way but nowadays there is no road connectivity to these most sacred shrines and temples. So the mela has been confined to Gourikund, Sudhmahadev and Mantalai only.
The pilgrims reach Gourikund in the evening on the first day of the mela. They take bath in Gouri-kund and offer prayer in the temple of Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Goddess Parvati worshipped at this place inside a cave to get married with Lord Shiva. The pilgrims enjoy the cool breeze and scenic beauty of this place and also take bath in nearby cold water stream. Throughout the way to Gouri-kund the locals establish stalls of eatables and other items. Free langer is also provided at this place. After holy bath and prayer at Gouri-kund the pilgrims march towards Sudhmahadev throughout the night mostly on foot singing local folk songs and chanting slogans like Har-Har Mahadev. Groups of people from Doda, Bhaderwah, Ramban, Latti, Ramnagar, Udhampur, and Jammu assemble at Sudhmahadev in large number on the first night of the mela and take shelter in temple complex halls, private hotels and local houses, etc. The villagers are seen sitting on the roof tops playing flute and singing Dogri folk songs. There is great rush in the streets of Sudhmahadev and this small town remains alive during all mela days and nights. The villagers, ladies and outsiders make purchase of sweets, bangles and other items from shopkeepers, mainly from Jammu and Pathankot. The majority of the yatries have to pass the night under open sky at the mercy of God as no shelter sheds, toilets and separate bathrooms have been constructed at Sudhmahadev.
JUNE-4- June-6
On the second day of the Mela, people wake up early in the morning at 4’o clock and proceed towards a sacred waterfall called Nada for holy bath. This is the special occasion to have bath at this place on Purnima for spiritual attainment.
It is said that in order to remove sins of inhabitants of Duggar Pradesh, Kashyap Rishi worshipped Lord Shiva in enchanting atmosphere at this place and obtained ‘Vardaan’ from Lord Shiva that Goddess Parvati will appear at Sudhmahadev by the name of Holy Devika to wash the sins of humanity.
The pilgrims have to walk over a kachha pathway of about 3 kms by walking over rough terrain to reach this most sacred place. Pilgrims also take bath at Gou-karan temple on the same day. There are green mountain slopes on both sides of foot path and medicinal plants like timbroo and local herbs like karsod, etc grow there in plenty which the pilgrims collect during the return journey. Holy Devika rivulet originating from Nada flows down to Sudhmahadev alongside of footpath.
After holy bath the pilgrims turn towards Sudhmahadev for darshan of Lord Shiva in Shool Panishwar Shiv Ji Maharaj Temple. The main temple is built on a raised platform. Entry point is called Deodi. In the front portion of this temple there is a Haweli of Raja of Chenani now donated for public cause. In the temple complex, there are Samadhis of Nath priests of the temple some of which are alive and others usual. The trident of Lord Shiva broken into three pieces is buried deep in front of main temple. Legends say that Lord Shiva had thrown this trident from Kailash to kill a local demon called Sudhant, who was causing obstacles in the worship of Goddess Parvati. It is believed that this most sacred idol of Shiv-Parvati was discovered by a farmer while ploughing his field at some distance from the present temple and that place is known as Ambunij Tirath.
In front of main temple there is temple of Guru Gorakh Nath Ji to visit and worship. The black stone idol of Bharo Nath just adjacent to exit gate is next to worship. In the temple complex, the continuously burning DHUNI from thousands of years remains main source of attraction for the pilgrims where huge logs of wood are burnt daily but no ash is taken out. It is indeed a miracle. Main Pooja is held in Shool Panishwar Shiv Ji temple at Sudhmahadev. After the pooja the public have the darshan of Nandi and Shiv Rudri. Shiv Rudri is precious jewel which emits wonderful rays of light. It is said that it was stolen many times but each time it reached back in the temple due to some miracle of Lord Shiva. Thereafter the pilgrims proceeded towards Pap Nashini Spring. It is said that all the worldly sins disappear after a bath in this cold water spring. There is one ancient temple of Mall Devi adjacent to main bus stand Sudhmahadev constructed by Raja Gajender Chand of Chenani on the pattern of Sukrala Mata Temple. There is Som Tirath, Pandav Ser and Sat-Nada, etc., to be visited for holy bath on the same day.
In the afternoon, the pilgrims take the route to Mantalai. The pilgrims in large number take Holy bath in the water tank and offer prayer in the Temple of Goddess Parvati. It is believed that present large size Talab was Hawan Kund during the marriage of Lord Shiva. There are ancient archaeological sites at Mantalai and Barkot fort. Mantalai was brought on tourism map with the efforts of Swami Dharendra Brahamachari and large scale infrastructure was raised there in the shape of Airfield, Swimming pools, Hotels, Hostels, Goushala and Yoga Research Centre etc. Now the Government of India has sanctioned huge grants for the establishment of International Yoga University at Mantalai and the work is going on fastly. It is requested that the historical and religious importance of Mantalai may also be taken into consideration during the ongoing development works.
Keeping the religious importance and public sentiments in view, it is requested that the road connectivity be provided to all Yatra related temples to retrace and enjoy charms and religious fragrance of original Yatra route. Large size shelter sheds be constructed at Gaurikund, Sudhmahadev, and Mantalai with adequate parking facilities. Sufficient toilets be constructed on permanent basis at all the yatra points. Department of Tourism and J&K Dharamarth Trust should join hands for publicity and better management of this three days long mela. On the third day of Mela, grand Dangal is held in the Sudhmahadev Choughan with participation of reputed wrestlers from J&K and Punjab. Sudhmahadev Mela concludes on third day with great joy of religious attainments and spiritual fragrance.
Sudhmahadev Mela keeps alive great cultural and religious heritage of this region. It is the occasion of celebration and interaction between different faiths and beliefs of which the Shiv Bhakti is supreme. It is said that whosoever comes with devotion in the Mela will get the blessing of Lord Shiva.
(The author is former Zonal Education Officer and member ARC, University of Jammu)
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