| Simultaneously
the whole surrounding forest caught fire, and the people, thinking the 'Mahant' must be an
evil spirit, who had enraged the goddess, called in brahmins who found out the truth. It
is said that the stones are still black from the fire, which consumed the forest.
The place having been purified, a temple was built and
a brahmin priest appointed. A variation of these local lore holds that a saint, named
Balgir, practicing penance on the bank of Giri River, was inspired to establish a
sanctuary here. He brought the Devi from a sacred
place. Here usual puja is performed twice daily, morning and evening, by a priest
permanently attached to the temple. The priest offers 'Bhog' every Sunday morning and on
the first day of the month "Sankrant" in addition to the usual incense. The fair
is held on the "Durga Ashtami" (eighth day of bright half) in Asauj. The
offerings are generally simple, but, some times, if the purse of a devotee allows, even a
goat is sacrificed. The income is expended on the maintenance of the temple, which also
owns about three bighas of land, cultivated by the priest.
The people of the area regard the Devi as the family deity.
When a cow or a buffalo calves, a small portion of the ghee is offered to the Devi before
the family starts using any part of it. In the case of illness, a vow is made iri the name
of the Devi and, on recovery, the vowed offerings is made. Jawala Mukhi temple is visited
by a large number of pilgrims. |
