Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Ranikhet Sightseeing - Bell the Jhula Devi Temple


Nearly 700 years ago, Chaubatia in Ranikhet was a dense forest full of Wild Animals. There were numerous instances of Leopards and Tigers attacking people and taking away their livestock. People felt harassed and were also very helpless at the same time. They thus thought of praying to Ma Durga for protection. It is believed that Ma Durga appeared in a shepherd's dream and asked him to dig up a particular place where he will find an idol and she wanted a temple to be constructed at the same site.


On digging the place, the same Ma Durga idol was found and the villagers constructed the temple and also installed the same idol in the temple. Soon after the people were freed from the harassment and roamed freely in the area. But that's not over, Ma Durga appeared again in someone else's dream and asked for a "jhula" for herself. Soon the idol was then placed on a wooden Jhula and Ma Durga got her new name, "Jhula Devi".


Jhula Devi is a very sacred spot in Ranikhet and people come from far off places to worship Ma Durga. The beauty of Temple lies in thousands of bells which you would see hanging from everywhere. These countless bells are surely a a testimony to the divine and healing powers of Ma Jhula Devi.


The sight is simply awesome...Honestly I have not seen so many bells put together anywhere else. So if your wishes are fulfilled by Ma (Which I am sure will be), make sure you add one more bell to this beautiful temple.


Jai Ma Durga...Jai Ma Jhula Devi!!!