About Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi)
A Shakti Peetha where Sati's tongue is said to have fallen — uniquely, the temple has no idol, only nine perpetually burning natural gas flames worshipped as the goddess. Set in the Kangra valley, 56 km from Dharamshala.
History
One of the 51 Shakti Peethas — Sati's tongue is said to have fallen here, and the goddess is worshipped uniquely as nine natural-gas flames (jwalas) emerging from a fissure in the rock. The temple has no idol, no carved deity — the flames themselves are Devi. Each flame has a name: Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vindhyabasini, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anjana Devi. The current temple was built by the 19th-century Sikh emperor Ranjit Singh after his successful Kangra campaigns; the gold-plated dome was a Ranjit Singh gift in 1841. The most famous historical episode: Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century, sceptical of the flames' divine nature, attempted to extinguish them by diverting a stream over the source. The water vanished but the flames continued. He returned, offered a golden parasol — and the parasol, legend says, transmuted to a base metal as he approached, signifying that the goddess had refused his offering. The cha rgement (offering of yog-prasad cooked over the flames) is unique to this temple in all of India.
Best Time to Visit
October to March, June
Entry fees in your currency
- VIP Darshan₹150$…
- Yog Prasad₹100$…
- Akhand Jyoti dedication₹500–₹2,500$…
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi)?
Free temple entry. Special pujas and bhog paid separately.
- VIP DarshanSkip-the-line; available at the temple counter₹150
- Yog PrasadOffering cooked over the natural flames₹100
- Akhand Jyoti dedicationSponsoring an oil lamp for varying durations₹500–₹2,500
- Open 5 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. all days
- Mobile phones not permitted in the inner sanctum
- Modest dress required; covered shoulders and knees
- Free dharamshalas run by the temple trust for overnight pilgrims
Plan your visit
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Travel Tips
- From Dharamshala: 1.5-hour drive (56 km); the most common base for visits
- From Pathankot: 2-hour drive (75 km); closest railhead
- Visit early morning (5–7 a.m.) — afternoons see queues of 1–2 hours
- Combine with Chintpurni (50 km — another Shakti Peetha) and Brijeshwari Devi at Kangra (44 km) for a 3-Devi day
- The Akbari kund (the diverted-stream pool) and Akbar's golden parasol are still on display in the courtyard
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Akbari Kund — Mughal emperor's failed water-diversion attempt, in the courtyard
- Gorakh Dibbi — small temple to Guru Gorakhnath, 200 m from the main shrine
- Tara Devi Temple — Sati's secondary shrine, on the upper level
- Chintpurni (50 km) and Brijeshwari Devi at Kangra (44 km) — Shakti Peetha trio
How to Reach Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi)
Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi) is located in Himachal Pradesh, India at coordinates 31.8761°N, 76.3225°E. You can reach Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi) by air (nearest airport in Himachal Pradesh), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi)?
- The best time to visit Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi) is October to March, June.
- What are the top travel tips for Jwala Devi (Jwalamukhi)?
- From Dharamshala: 1.5-hour drive (56 km); the most common base for visits. From Pathankot: 2-hour drive (75 km); closest railhead. Visit early morning (5–7 a.m.) — afternoons see queues of 1–2 hours. Combine with Chintpurni (50 km — another Shakti Peetha) and Brijeshwari Devi at Kangra (44 km) for a 3-Devi day. The Akbari kund (the diverted-stream pool) and Akbar's golden parasol are still on display in the courtyard.
