Jaya Devi Temple, Bijbehara
| Jammu Kashmir Now | The facts and information abou 14-Jan-2019 |
The shrine of Mother Goddess also known as Jaya Devi Asthapan is located on the Jaya Plateau. It is considered as one of the earliest Shakti sathals of Kashmir. In context of this Shakti Sathal it is appropriate to quote the meaning of a verse given in Vijeshwar Mahatam, Vitasta Mahatam and Amrish Mahatam. “The Goddess whom Devtas venerate day and night, on whose orders awful enemies are vanquished, who is blackish in colour, whose hands are decorated with Shankh, Chakara, sword and a Trident, whose head is decorated with crescent, who travels on a lion, with whose light the universe shines, I prostrate before the Mother who is called Jaya Devi”. Vijeshwara Mahatam describes that anybody who worships Mata Jaya Devi is bestowed with blessings as desired by the devotee. Because of this Shakti sathal Vijeshwar Kheshtra came to be known as “Sidhi Kheshtra”.
A grand Bhawan in the earliest times existed on the plateau where devotees thronged to pay obeisance to mother Goddess. This shrine also fell victim of political turmoil and it was totally damaged during the rule of Sikander. The rehabilitation of the Pandits during the rule of sultan Zainul abidin resulted in the reconstruction of this place of worship, but the grandeur and grace of ancient period could not be restored. Mata Jaya Devi is the Isht Devi or patron Goddess of thousands of families in and outside the valley. The shrine was renovated by the Hindus of Bijbehara during the Dogra rule in Kashmir. It re- emerged as a centre of religious and cultural activities. A nine day festival on Navratra in spring was celebrated up to 1989 in the picturesque premesis of the shrine. Similarly, the devotees paid obeisance to Mata Jaya Devi on Ashad Shukulpaksha Ashtami every year. This day is considered as the day of appearance of the Goddess in Vijeshwara. It would be apt to quote the translation of the shaloka (verse) in vitasta Mahatam regarding the greatness of Mata Jaya Devi “Mother Goddess is the giver of prosperity and peace of mind, She enhances mental capacities of her devotees, She is the giver of Yog Sidhi, She appears in different forms such as Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Rudri, Parvati, Shakti, Kalyankari, Let us prostrate in total surrender before Her.” It was for this reason that devotees in large numbers used to visit this shrine throughout the year till 1990.
The faced the wrath of fundamentalists, who desecrated it, stoned idols and broke the compound wall in 1986.