Navratri Commences with Devotional Zeal at Jammu’s Ancient Shrine of Bawe Wali Mata

Jammu 22 September :- The commencement of the nine-day Navratra festival has raised a tide of piety in Jammu, with the historic Bawe Wali Mata Temple experiencing a sea of pilgrims on its inaugural day. Located in the ancient Bahu Fort, the temple itself is not only a site of religious worship but a representation of the wealth of heritage found in the region and is said to have been originally formed in the 8th century and subsequently restored by the Dogra dynasty.

For pilgrims, a journey here is a supplication for divine intervention, as they believe that Goddess Kali, the presiding goddess, can fulfill wishes and offer protection. This belief is succinctly encapsulated in the local legend that attributes the goddess’s intervention in protecting the city from air attacks during the 1971 war. In preparation for the huge turn-up, the authorities have gone ahead to make elaborate special arrangements, such as erecting several stalls for religious materials and souvenirs, to provide for a seamless and rewarding experience for the thousands that have gathered to pay their respects.