Rajinder Chand Anthal
rajinderchandanthal100@gmail.com
Narsingh Bhagwan is the fourth Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Narsingh ji is believed to be the strong protector of his devotees and destroys all evils to restore dharma. This Vishnu Avatar is prayed for strength, courage and prosperity. Narsingh Bhagwan is worshipped as a prominent God in Duggar. In all erstwhile twenty two hill states of Duggar, there are many temples of Narsingh ji, but this temple of Choti Wale Narsingh in Chenani area is unique and most miraculous Temple.
Pertinent to mention that Narsingh Bhagwan is worshipped in majority of houses in Duggar from centuries and the Puja room is called Thakurdwara. The Puja of Narsingh ji requires certain principles to be followed which present households find difficult in busy life schedule. So gradually the Thakurdwaras were shifted to nearby temples for proper worship, yet some people still practise proper puja and offer BHOG to Thakurji at home. The story of Narsingh Avatar and Bhakt Prahlad becomes more relevant concerning Chenani because in Purans, there has been mention of visit of Bhakt Prahlad to Benisangam and Sudhmahadev for holy bath in DEVIKA and worship in Shri Shool Panishwar Mahadev Temple, Sudhmahadev.
Situated in village Gharian-Khund (Bouns) at a distance of about fifteen kilometres from Chenani Town on Patangarh road, this templeof Choti Wale Narsingh along with many other temples tell about strong footprints of religious glory and past way of life of residents of this backward area.
Nestled in green surroundings, this area receives heart pleasing winds from nearby Deodar trees. The residents consist of big landlords belonging to Thakkar Community and well established Gaddi families. Although very near to Chenani, this area was part of Jammu state and not part of Chenani Principality. River Tawi was the border line between the two. This area was difficult to reach in the past as it had administrative connection with Ramnagar. Due to all these reasons, this area remained isolated, but some religious wonders of this vast area like Budha Kedar Nath Temple, origins of Bharthari rivulet from Kulasar on the visit of Gopi Chand and Bharthari (who are immortal saints in kalyuga) and Temple of ancient Kalika Mata Matlowa justify the religious attainments and faith of people of this area, yet there remains great scope of research on these miraculous temples and wonderlands here.
Misru Ram, Head of Gaddi Community tells that he has learned from his forefathers that this miraculous Shaligram of Narsingh ji was there in the Puja room of one Thakkar family from ancient times and the ancestors of this family had noticed that upper portion of this Shaligram is moving upwards very slowly through the years like a human Shikha (CHOTI), hence this specific Shaligram was named Choti Wale Narsingh. As the time passed, people from far off places started visiting this house for the Darshan of Choti Wale Narsingh Bhagwan Shaligram. Finding it difficult to arrange due puja of Narsingh ji with proper rituals at home, the Thakkar family decided to install this miraculous Shaligram at some separate Thakurdwara for the convenience of all devotees.
Accordingly, this Shaligram of Choti Wale Narsingh was installed in separate Thakurdwara (Temple) alongside a water spring in bouns habitation and a priest was engaged for regular Puja as per prescribed spiritual rituals. After this, many other persons of this area also shifted their Shaligrams to this Thakurdwara as it was difficult for them to follow strict rules of Narsingh Bhagwan puja in changing lifestyle and multiple domestic engagements. In this way, there was a huge collection of Shaligrams in the Thakurdwara of Choti Wale Narsingh Bhagwan, having different shape but same religious essence.
Ashok Kumar Prabhu, teacher of this area who has good knowledge of religious traditions also told a similar story but insisted that these miraculous things are the creation of God and existing from Aadikaal in this Shiv Bhumi.
This miraculous Shaligram has been kept in the centre of huge collection of Shaligrams and wrapped in yellow cloth with a long silver cap on its Shikha (CHOTI) duly covered in a ‘Chandi ki Chatter’. The Pujaris and others confirm that the Shikha (CHOTI) of this Shaligram is increasing in length at a very slow speed and they authenticate their observation with self realisation. This temple is visited by hundreds of devotees from all adjoining areas and the merciful Narsingh Bhagwan fulfills their desires. It is believed that Narsingh Bhagwan is the Lord of justice and Dharma.
This place reveals heart pleasing sacred vibrations in nearby unexplored serene valleys which have more enchanting stories to tell. A largely attended Mela is held at this place on 27 December every year, when thousands of people from far off places come to have darshan of Choti Wale Narsingh Ji and to seek blessings for goodness, affluence and prosperity for all.
(The author is former Zonal Education Officer, Chenani)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
