"I do not know how to thank Bhat sahib . God bless him and his family where ever he is . In fact it was he who gave employment to my son .He was from this village khrew . He was a very senior officer in state bank of India ."
said Ghulam Nabi who met us at Village khrew and who joined us on foot to the Hill top shrine of Jwala ji .
The temple is located on Zabarwan mountain range on a small hillock overlooking Khrew Village . A flight of about 350 devri stone steps up from the base takes you to the shrine .The temple is in fine kashmiri wooden architecture with Blck stone image Jwala ji inside . Khrew is about 20kms from srinagar .Even though the area is undergoing rapid developments on account of location of various cement Industries , the road from Athwajan to Khrew and finally to Wastarwan continues to be in a bad shape. The shocker of my car had to be replaced after this journey. we returned from pamore . That road is in better shape.
This shrine is dedicated to Fire Goddess Jwala ji .Jwala ji is Ishta devi of many kashmiri Pandits .kashmiri Pandits organize a fair at this shrine on 14th bright fortnight of Ashada ( June - July ). Yellow rice or TAHAR ( a kashmiri tradition ) and SHOOSHNOR ( Lamb's lung ) are offerred to the deity . As per Twareekhe- Hassan , occasional flames sparked in this temple from time to time .Some elders from the village Khrew also confirmed having seen the flames in early sixties .
Kalhana makes clear mention of springs of the area .We also saw a well maintained spring in Khrew .
" Here on the twelfth of the dark half of Jyeshta , he will come for the pilgrimage of TAKSAKA ; ____ "
(Taranga I canto 220 Taksaka Naga is nothing but the sacred spring at ZEWAN ( Jayvana ) .This Spring is believed to be the abode of patron saint of the saffron fields which grow in the neighbourhood. )
The temple is in good shape . It was also informed to us that a Brahmin from nearby village Lodhoo visits this temple for Puja once a week.
Mohd sultan a resident of Lodhoo added
" See those cement factories and see the smoke rising from them. It comes down on us and these saffron fields "
That was a story on Jwala ji temple of Khrew which we visited in september 2009.
Sab Ki Pujaa Ek Si , Alag Alag Hai Reet.
Masjid Jaaye Moulavi , Koel Gaaye Geet .
Barkhaa sab ko Daan De ,Jitni Jis ki Pyaas .
Moti Si Yeh seep me , Maati Me yeh Gaas.
( Nida Fazili )
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