Ancient legends speak of a time when demons lorded over the Himalaya mountains and harassed the gods. Led by Lord Vishnu, the gods decided to destroy them. They focused their strengths and huge flames rose from the ground. From that fire, a young girl took birth.She is regarded as Adishakti the first "Shakti".
Known as Sati or Parvati, she grew up in the house of Prajapati Daksha and later became the consort of Lord Shiva. Once her father insulted Lord Shiva and unable to accept this, she killed herself. When Lord Shiva heard of his wife's death his rage knew no bounds and holding Sati's body he began stalking the three world's.

The other god's trembled before his wrath and appealed to Lord Vishnu for help Lord Vishnu left fly a volly of arrows which struck Satis body and several it to pieces. At the places where the piece fell, the fifty one sacred "shaktipeeths came into being.

Sati's tongue fell at Jwalaji (610m) and the goddess is manifest as tiny flames that burns flawless blue through fissures in the age old rock. Even the Pandavs are regarded to have visited this sacred palace.

Places of see in Jwalamukhi

Shri Raghunathji Temple (5km):
Popularaly known as Teda Mandir it stands at a tilt after the earthquake of 1905. Rama, Laxman, and Sita are said to have stayed here and the first temple is supposed to have been built by the Pandavas.

Jwalaji Shrines:
There are nine different flames within the temple and each signifies something different. It is said that centuries ago, a cowherd saw the flames for the first time and Raja Bhumi chandra the ruler of the area had the original temple built. The Mughal emperor Akbar installed a gold parasol and Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the dome gilded. Just above the Devi's temple is the shrine of Baba Gorakhnath and across the courtyard her bed chamber.

Nagini Mata (4.5km):
The site of a fair held in July August this is located on the hill above Jwalaji.

Ashtabhuja Temple (11km):
This ancient temple has stone image of the eight armed goddess. Other smaller shrines adjoin this.

Nadoun (12km):
Closely connected with the glory of Kangra erstwhile rulers there are numerous old temples and the remains of a couple of old Palaces here.

Chaumukha (22km via Nadaun):
There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a huge four faced image.

Panj Teerth and Mahakaleshwar (9km and 28km via Nadaun):
By the banks of river Beas and closely associated with the exile of the pandavas are these two sacred places. They are within a few hundred meters of each other.

Bankhandi (36km):
here, at the Bandlamata temple there id a stone image of the goddess. At the nearby Shiva temples is a "linga said old fort"

Mangarh (37km):
On top a hill is this octagonal fort named after Raja Man Chand.