Monday was a big day, she kept a plate of yellow rice out in the balcony…not on the roof. its an offering to a god, birds and now some squirrel too. I come from a family of fire worshipers.
Monday was the day of my family’s Isht Devi – Jawalaji of Khrew, a place about 13 miles from Srinagar.
Here the temple dedicated to this volcanic goddess is built atop a 200 feet high hillock. I read that the kul devi cult arrived in kashmir in around 12th century with the rise of Shakti worship.
[Read more here]
I have never been to the place, but I have been told that the temple is actually in forest area and in old days big cats used to haunt the trails. I read that the last great volcanic flame, no less than two feet, was last recorded here in 1962. A six feet stone kept in the temple has turned black, facing fire all this time. It is holy.
My father's family is from Khrew.. As a child I remember making very frequent trips to Jwala Bhagwati, the prasad that was supposed to be offered was always "Teher and charvan" … Eating the teher and charvan after offering to the goddess on the top of the hill used to be heavenly…
Anshula, you are right 'Teher and charvan' was the prashad offered at the temple. In my family on shivratri puja and for the birthday morning pooja, a separate plate is kept for her. I do hope I get to visit Khrew someday. I was planning for this year, but now maybe next year.