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| Mata Pingla Devi |
Jammu and kashmir abound not only in splendid natural beauty but also in religious places which attract thousands of devotees. We get spirtual bliss at these centres.These places are also located in small towns,sleepy villages and hemlets all over the state. Ramnagar,38 Kms from Udhampur is out of such small town which have several popular sacred places. Besides the locals, the people from other parts of the other state visit these shrines and temples to seek spirtual bliss and divine blessing.
The important religious places of Ramnagar includes temple of Lord Shiva at Dalsar village about 4 Kms from Ramnagar town. Lord Narsing Ji Maharaj in Ramnagar Town Near Sheesh Mahal and the Pilgrimage of "Mata Chountra Devi" is Yet another place near Ramnagar which is becomming popular in recent years.
The cave Shrine of "Mata Pingla Devi" is situated on a hillock at village Pinger on Udhampur Ramnagar road, about 16 Kms from Ramnagar and 22 Kms from Udhampur City. The Distance of 6 Kms from Village Kaghote (Kougha) to the cave is covered by foot. Though it is very hazardous trek yet it doesnot deter the devootes from going for the Yatra with religious fervor and high spirits.On way to the shrine,one observes the scenic beauty and the natural fauna. It is these beautiful surroundings,scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere amidst the green pine trees makes one to walk on with high spirits on this difficult trek. In the beginning there is a bridge on a Nallah from where steep ascend starts.
There are many legends associated with this shrine . According to one of the most popular legends, shepherds of Pinger village used to go in a jungle for grazing their cattles. A girl used to provide them food daily. She had warned them not to disclosethis to anybody. The parents of These sheephards one day followed them and found a girl serving them food. On disclousre of this secret, the girl disappeared in the cave. According to another legend some hunters saw a lion entering in to the cave. They burnt wood one the mouth of the cave. The lion came out from the cave after piercing the big rodk and the hunter were astonished to see all this. They Entered the cave and saw mata there. Light comes in the cave from the hole. There is a natural made small stone pot with cooking spoon on it. It is believed that this is the same pot in which Mata used to cook food daily for the shepherds. In this pot, water fall from the rock which is given "Charnamet" to devotees. It is believe if one enters the cave empty stomach and tries to push the pot with one finger he will feel a slight movement of the pot.
The Cave is very wide and about people can be accommodated at a time but the entry in the cave is very narrow .Some years ago, Only a few peoples know abot the exixtence of this place but 4-5 years ago several of devotes of Mata decided to start a yatrawith “Akhand Jyoti” for world peace and national Integration. This Pilgrimage has now become popular. A committee of people under the Chairmanship of DC Udhampur wa set up for this purpose. Mr. O.P Jandial Organised this Yatra in the year 1986. Then The D.C took keen interest. Several arrangements were made for this yatra. The first time when this yatra started. Justice Mr. K.K Gupta judge of the Higher court of Jammu and Kashmir lit the Akhand Jyoti at Durga Bhawan Ramnagar. Now this Yatra has become an annual feature during Navratras. This Yatra continues for ten days and several devotees from different part of the state took part in this yatra. One of the significant part of the pilgrimage is that people of all communities took part in this yatra and give their full co-operation to make it is a success. The Hindu, Muslim and Sikhs have also been made members of the committee. It has come to be a strive of national integration and communal harmony. The Yatra is ceremounously taken from Ramnagar with “Akhand Jyoti” and was kept for public for Darshan. Shoba Yatra of this jyoti is also taken throughout Ramnagar. Whole the Town is well decorated on that day. Next day the jyoti is carried to Pingla Devi in the form of colourful procession. The devotees accompanied this yatra chainting bhajans and Kirtan on their way. Free Langar arranged by the committee at Bhawan and nearly 20 to 30 thosands people visited to holy cave on first navratra and abot 40 or 50 thousand people visit during ten days yatra. Every year Yatra start from the first week of October.
No doubt, this shrine is located amidst splendid natural beauty but inspite of this natural wealth and beauty, the state govt. has nothing for the development of this beautiful religious tourism destination of Ramnagar area. Nearly 50 Thousand yatris visits during Navratras only but no medical facilities available. No public latrines, No sheds and even no benches are available throughout the track at the top . A Sarai has been constructed at the Shrine by devotees. Mata Vaishno devi Shrine Board can contribute a lot in improving the condition of this Shrine.
The important religious places of Ramnagar includes temple of Lord Shiva at Dalsar village about 4 Kms from Ramnagar town. Lord Narsing Ji Maharaj in Ramnagar Town Near Sheesh Mahal and the Pilgrimage of "Mata Chountra Devi" is Yet another place near Ramnagar which is becomming popular in recent years.
The cave Shrine of "Mata Pingla Devi" is situated on a hillock at village Pinger on Udhampur Ramnagar road, about 16 Kms from Ramnagar and 22 Kms from Udhampur City. The Distance of 6 Kms from Village Kaghote (Kougha) to the cave is covered by foot. Though it is very hazardous trek yet it doesnot deter the devootes from going for the Yatra with religious fervor and high spirits.On way to the shrine,one observes the scenic beauty and the natural fauna. It is these beautiful surroundings,scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere amidst the green pine trees makes one to walk on with high spirits on this difficult trek. In the beginning there is a bridge on a Nallah from where steep ascend starts.
There are many legends associated with this shrine . According to one of the most popular legends, shepherds of Pinger village used to go in a jungle for grazing their cattles. A girl used to provide them food daily. She had warned them not to disclosethis to anybody. The parents of These sheephards one day followed them and found a girl serving them food. On disclousre of this secret, the girl disappeared in the cave. According to another legend some hunters saw a lion entering in to the cave. They burnt wood one the mouth of the cave. The lion came out from the cave after piercing the big rodk and the hunter were astonished to see all this. They Entered the cave and saw mata there. Light comes in the cave from the hole. There is a natural made small stone pot with cooking spoon on it. It is believed that this is the same pot in which Mata used to cook food daily for the shepherds. In this pot, water fall from the rock which is given "Charnamet" to devotees. It is believe if one enters the cave empty stomach and tries to push the pot with one finger he will feel a slight movement of the pot.
The Cave is very wide and about people can be accommodated at a time but the entry in the cave is very narrow .Some years ago, Only a few peoples know abot the exixtence of this place but 4-5 years ago several of devotes of Mata decided to start a yatrawith “Akhand Jyoti” for world peace and national Integration. This Pilgrimage has now become popular. A committee of people under the Chairmanship of DC Udhampur wa set up for this purpose. Mr. O.P Jandial Organised this Yatra in the year 1986. Then The D.C took keen interest. Several arrangements were made for this yatra. The first time when this yatra started. Justice Mr. K.K Gupta judge of the Higher court of Jammu and Kashmir lit the Akhand Jyoti at Durga Bhawan Ramnagar. Now this Yatra has become an annual feature during Navratras. This Yatra continues for ten days and several devotees from different part of the state took part in this yatra. One of the significant part of the pilgrimage is that people of all communities took part in this yatra and give their full co-operation to make it is a success. The Hindu, Muslim and Sikhs have also been made members of the committee. It has come to be a strive of national integration and communal harmony. The Yatra is ceremounously taken from Ramnagar with “Akhand Jyoti” and was kept for public for Darshan. Shoba Yatra of this jyoti is also taken throughout Ramnagar. Whole the Town is well decorated on that day. Next day the jyoti is carried to Pingla Devi in the form of colourful procession. The devotees accompanied this yatra chainting bhajans and Kirtan on their way. Free Langar arranged by the committee at Bhawan and nearly 20 to 30 thosands people visited to holy cave on first navratra and abot 40 or 50 thousand people visit during ten days yatra. Every year Yatra start from the first week of October.
No doubt, this shrine is located amidst splendid natural beauty but inspite of this natural wealth and beauty, the state govt. has nothing for the development of this beautiful religious tourism destination of Ramnagar area. Nearly 50 Thousand yatris visits during Navratras only but no medical facilities available. No public latrines, No sheds and even no benches are available throughout the track at the top . A Sarai has been constructed at the Shrine by devotees. Mata Vaishno devi Shrine Board can contribute a lot in improving the condition of this Shrine.
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