Ancient countries are known for their rich cultural heritage. Ours is an ancient country with one of the great civilizations. In the course of history, cultural manifestations help people build their traditions and customs. Religion has been one of the most important cultural manifestations of human societies. A dispassionate look at our past will show that religion and mythology have formed essential part of our culture. Mythology is a much-debated subject but anyhow it has come to stay as the source of rich cultural fund for nations.
Jammu region enjoys considerably significant cultural heritage. It is but natural that in the course of her long history, some sites maintain their name and fame while others lose their identity. Our attention is focused on a heritage site in Samba district. We mean Purmandal and Uttarbahni sites, which are historically and culturally very significant to Jammu region’s cultural fund. The twin shrines of Purmandal and Uttarbahni are situated on the banks of river Devika. A mention of Devika will be found in many ancient histories and especially in Nilamata Purana. These works convey the legend of Devika and the twin shrines on its banks. Hundreds of thousands of people visit these shrines to pay obeisance to deities. The complex has the temples of Umapati Mahadeva, Lord Shiva, Raghunah ji and others. In fame and popularity, the twin-shrine complex is next only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori. According to tradition coming down from generation to generation, the twin shrine complex was built more than 2500 years ago. But Maharaja Gulab Singh and Ranbir Singh renovated the complex and created more structures during their reign. After the exit of Dogra ruling house, the complex fell into disuse and negligence. Now the present shape of the complex is dismal. It wears very shabby look and has lost its previous grandeur. It is a big loss to the cultural history of Jammu. Therefore revival of the entire complex and its restoration to original grandeur would be a service to the cultural heritage of Jammu region. That is what the Government should keep in mind.
Local people have some difficulties and some complaints Devika has as good a sanctity with devout Hindus as Ganga has. A dip in the waters of Devika is considered at par with a dip in the Ganges.
Main complaint of devotees is that there is no bridge over Devika at the site under discussion. Many leaders have come to the site and promised that a bridge would be built but it never happened. One cannot imagine the difficulties, which people have to face during the rainy season when Devika turns into a roaring ocean. The Government should not have made promises and raised the expectations of the people and then faltered at the eleventh moment.
One more demand of the people is about renovation and restoration of the temple complex.
We would suggest that the Government constitute a high power committee with membership from the expert representatives of Archaeological Survey of India to prepare the blue print for reviving the glory and prestige of the twin shrine complex. This will add to the rich fund of Jammu heritage. At the same time the State Tourist Department also should make necessary efforts so that it becomes a pilgrim tourist site in Jammu and naturally strengthens the economy of the local people. The project should be included in the plan for expansion of tourist industry in Jammu. We know that the twin shrine complex falls under Surinsar-Mmansar Development Authority. But keeping in mind the cultural significance of the site and its tourist potential it would be advisable to constitute a separate agency for its development and revival.
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