According to yet another legend, Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Raja Mantalai wished to marry Lord Shiva at this place. And, this marriage was solemnized in a temple near a pond. So, on the name of that pond, this place is called Mantalai, where Man means great and pond talai. ( Sudh Mahadev temple )
This year, Sudhmahadev fair is being held from 25th June. Thousands of devotees from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana tourists from abroad come to participate in this folk fair. Hundreds of locals also pour in this fair attired in their traditional dresses and costumes.
Situated in the lap of Siwaliks at an elevation of 1500m lies a historic Lord Shiva's shrine, called Sudhmahadev. It commands a scenic view of its surroundings on all sides and is located amidst sylvan setting of snow clad mountains and evergreen forests of pines. It is about 120 km away from Jammu city, 55 km in the north of Udhampur town and 23 km from Chenani. Sudhmahadev is not only popular for its Lord Shiva's shrine but has also remained famous for a Yoga Ashram of late Dhirender Brahmchari at Mantalai which is 8 km from Sudhmahadev. ( Harmukh Harmukuta ganga Gangabal region )
Every year, three days annual fair is organized at Sudhmahadev on Jyeshtha Purnima (full moon) of Bikrami era, which generally comes off in the month of May every year according to Christan era. Sometimes, this Purnima, however, falls in the month of June, coinciding with the Haarh Purnima. This year, Sudhmahadev's fair is being held with effect from 25th June. Thousands of devotees from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and tourists from abroad come to participate in this folk fair. Hundreds of locals also pour in this fair attired in their traditional dresses and costumes.
Sudhmahadev shrine has a temple that houses a black coloured marble idol of the Lord Shiva along with His consort the Goddess Parvati mounted on Nandigan (Bull) and huge trident (Trishul). This idol of Lord Shiva is called Aap Shambu (Swayambu Shiv Shambu) lingam. Sudhmahadev shrine is 2800 or 3000 years old and its temple is narrated to be built by the Raja of Chenani, Ram Dev about 500 years ago. This temple has dhooni which commemorates the spiritual attainment of Swami Baba Roopnath, who used to live in the temple and his dooni has been kept constantly burning eversince. ( Shiv Parvati Shrine )
Legends
Of the various legends regarding Sudhmahadev shrine, the most leading one relates to Sudheet or Sudanshu, who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva but in his fore birth he was demon. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, Sudhanshu used to meditate in the lush green forests of Sudhmahadev. In the vicinity of Sudhmahadev, Goddess Parvati, daughter of Raja Mantalai also used to worship the Lord Shiva. It is stated that one day Sudanshu approached Mata Parvati to pay his obeisance. Since Sudhanshu was demon in his fore birth, so his demonic appearance frightened Mata Parvati and she gave a loud shriek.
Hearing this shriek Lord Shiva who was meditating on the highest peak of Shivgarh facing Gaurikund got infuriated; He flung his trident to protect Goddess Parvati. The trident instantly struck on Sudanshu's head fatally. While Sudanshu was dying, he called on Lord Shiva again and again so Lord Shiva realized that he had committed a mistake by killing his devotee. Lord Shiva then himself reached the spot and offered Sudanshu to bring him in life again. Sudanshu did not agree and preferred to have salvation at the hands of Lord Shiva. With his sincere devotion, lord Shiva gave him a promise that his name would be prefixed to Lord Shiva's name at this place. Since then it has been called Sudhmahadev. The trident that struck Sudanshu stands installed near the temple. This trident bears inscription in Brahamai character of Gupt period and lingum lying inside the temple is the same where Sudanshu used to worship Lord Shiva.
According to yet another legend, Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Raja Mantalai wished to marry Lord Shiva at this place. And, this marriage was solemnized in a temple near a pond. So on the name of that pond, this place is called Mantalai, where Man means great and pond talai. . This talai is supposed to act as Havan Kund for performing various marriage ceremonies. This site is considered an ancient one as was evident from large number of pots herds of various types found allround there in the earth. There is another version that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married at Gaurikund. Gaurikund is a sacred perennial spring where Goddess Parvati used to go for bath. The legend of this site evinces that Goddess Parvati after taking bath used to worship Lord Shiva, mediating in a cave which is nearly 2 km from Sudhmahadev on the bank of stream fed by the water of Gaurikind. Devika, a famous and sacred stream of Jammu also originates from Gaurikind. It is believed that the Goddess Parvati herself flows as a stream or river in the serpentine manner and emerges at the shrines of Kameshwar Mahadev Udhampur, Purmandal and Uttar Behani in Jammu.
Sudhmahadev Fair
During the first day of three days of folk fair, the devotees first bathe in the Beenisangam called Budhisudhi rivulet, which gushes out from top of the Dhar Shivgarh and is considered an abode of innumerable saints. Thereafter, the devotees take bath in sin destroying spring (Pap Nashni Bauli) situated just at the entrance of temple, about which it is said that a holy dip in this spring shuns all evils. ( Buddha Amarnath in Jammu )
During the festival, long queues of pilgrims both men and women are seen at the site of this spring. The folk artists of surrounding villages turn up in large numbers to sing folk lores of areas highlighting various aspects of civilization with special reference to Lord Shiva. The tools of folk media like dance, song, flute, drum etc; are fully exploited with rhythm by small groups to promote cultural heritage of India. The stalls by various developmental agencies and merry go round add attraction to the festival.
The pilgrims after becoming free from baths, go to Lord Shiva's temple raising slogans, singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. Every pilgrim carries with him offerings like flowers, billpatri, dhoop, cash etc and a small pot of water to mount on Shivlingum. Several people perform yagna and distribute puddings sweets and other eatables to the poor.
This year, Sudhmahadev fair is being held from 25th June. Thousands of devotees from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana tourists from abroad come to participate in this folk fair. Hundreds of locals also pour in this fair attired in their traditional dresses and costumes.
Situated in the lap of Siwaliks at an elevation of 1500m lies a historic Lord Shiva's shrine, called Sudhmahadev. It commands a scenic view of its surroundings on all sides and is located amidst sylvan setting of snow clad mountains and evergreen forests of pines. It is about 120 km away from Jammu city, 55 km in the north of Udhampur town and 23 km from Chenani. Sudhmahadev is not only popular for its Lord Shiva's shrine but has also remained famous for a Yoga Ashram of late Dhirender Brahmchari at Mantalai which is 8 km from Sudhmahadev. ( Harmukh Harmukuta ganga Gangabal region )
Every year, three days annual fair is organized at Sudhmahadev on Jyeshtha Purnima (full moon) of Bikrami era, which generally comes off in the month of May every year according to Christan era. Sometimes, this Purnima, however, falls in the month of June, coinciding with the Haarh Purnima. This year, Sudhmahadev's fair is being held with effect from 25th June. Thousands of devotees from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and tourists from abroad come to participate in this folk fair. Hundreds of locals also pour in this fair attired in their traditional dresses and costumes.
Sudhmahadev shrine has a temple that houses a black coloured marble idol of the Lord Shiva along with His consort the Goddess Parvati mounted on Nandigan (Bull) and huge trident (Trishul). This idol of Lord Shiva is called Aap Shambu (Swayambu Shiv Shambu) lingam. Sudhmahadev shrine is 2800 or 3000 years old and its temple is narrated to be built by the Raja of Chenani, Ram Dev about 500 years ago. This temple has dhooni which commemorates the spiritual attainment of Swami Baba Roopnath, who used to live in the temple and his dooni has been kept constantly burning eversince. ( Shiv Parvati Shrine )
Legends
Of the various legends regarding Sudhmahadev shrine, the most leading one relates to Sudheet or Sudanshu, who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva but in his fore birth he was demon. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, Sudhanshu used to meditate in the lush green forests of Sudhmahadev. In the vicinity of Sudhmahadev, Goddess Parvati, daughter of Raja Mantalai also used to worship the Lord Shiva. It is stated that one day Sudanshu approached Mata Parvati to pay his obeisance. Since Sudhanshu was demon in his fore birth, so his demonic appearance frightened Mata Parvati and she gave a loud shriek.
Hearing this shriek Lord Shiva who was meditating on the highest peak of Shivgarh facing Gaurikund got infuriated; He flung his trident to protect Goddess Parvati. The trident instantly struck on Sudanshu's head fatally. While Sudanshu was dying, he called on Lord Shiva again and again so Lord Shiva realized that he had committed a mistake by killing his devotee. Lord Shiva then himself reached the spot and offered Sudanshu to bring him in life again. Sudanshu did not agree and preferred to have salvation at the hands of Lord Shiva. With his sincere devotion, lord Shiva gave him a promise that his name would be prefixed to Lord Shiva's name at this place. Since then it has been called Sudhmahadev. The trident that struck Sudanshu stands installed near the temple. This trident bears inscription in Brahamai character of Gupt period and lingum lying inside the temple is the same where Sudanshu used to worship Lord Shiva.
According to yet another legend, Goddess Parvati, the daughter of Raja Mantalai wished to marry Lord Shiva at this place. And, this marriage was solemnized in a temple near a pond. So on the name of that pond, this place is called Mantalai, where Man means great and pond talai. . This talai is supposed to act as Havan Kund for performing various marriage ceremonies. This site is considered an ancient one as was evident from large number of pots herds of various types found allround there in the earth. There is another version that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married at Gaurikund. Gaurikund is a sacred perennial spring where Goddess Parvati used to go for bath. The legend of this site evinces that Goddess Parvati after taking bath used to worship Lord Shiva, mediating in a cave which is nearly 2 km from Sudhmahadev on the bank of stream fed by the water of Gaurikind. Devika, a famous and sacred stream of Jammu also originates from Gaurikind. It is believed that the Goddess Parvati herself flows as a stream or river in the serpentine manner and emerges at the shrines of Kameshwar Mahadev Udhampur, Purmandal and Uttar Behani in Jammu.
Sudhmahadev Fair
During the first day of three days of folk fair, the devotees first bathe in the Beenisangam called Budhisudhi rivulet, which gushes out from top of the Dhar Shivgarh and is considered an abode of innumerable saints. Thereafter, the devotees take bath in sin destroying spring (Pap Nashni Bauli) situated just at the entrance of temple, about which it is said that a holy dip in this spring shuns all evils. ( Buddha Amarnath in Jammu )
During the festival, long queues of pilgrims both men and women are seen at the site of this spring. The folk artists of surrounding villages turn up in large numbers to sing folk lores of areas highlighting various aspects of civilization with special reference to Lord Shiva. The tools of folk media like dance, song, flute, drum etc; are fully exploited with rhythm by small groups to promote cultural heritage of India. The stalls by various developmental agencies and merry go round add attraction to the festival.
The pilgrims after becoming free from baths, go to Lord Shiva's temple raising slogans, singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. Every pilgrim carries with him offerings like flowers, billpatri, dhoop, cash etc and a small pot of water to mount on Shivlingum. Several people perform yagna and distribute puddings sweets and other eatables to the poor.
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