SHYAMA KALI-MANDI

There are nine flames in the temple with the following names :

Mahakali, Unpurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Bindhya Basni, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anjni Devi.

The story goes that every year an exodus of pilgrims used to be led to the sacred site by one Dhianu Bhagat, a great devotee of Jawalaji. Emperor Akbar became suspicious of such exodus from Delhi every year and got an enquiry made and was told of the truth of the nine flames burning day and night.

It is said the Emperor visited the place and had the temple covered with thick metallic plates and yet the flames re-appeared through the plates. Emperor Akbar was satisfied and gave an umbrella of solid gold to the goddess. It is said because of the pride of the ruler the goddess turned the umbrella of gold into an alloy of eight metals (ashtdhatoo). This umbrella is still there.

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