THE BIRTH OF DEVIKA RIVER

Religious sanctity viz-a-viz significance of DEVIKA River.

            In the lap of Dhar Shiv Garh back hill of Sudhmahadev Tehsil Chenani Distt. Udhampur (J&K) on the meditation of Rishi Ved Vyas ji to create a water source to irrigated the un-irrigated and barren land of adjoining areas and also to act as a perennial source of drinking water of the people in vicinity A “Dhood Ganga” erupted/originated from the milk duckets of Mata Parvati, which flown through Gho Karn, Sudhmahadev, Haridwar, and Venisangam, whereat Venisangam to oppositely following river namely Devika & River Kullaser to Venisangam merged with River Tawi which is known as Suraj Putri “Toushi” originated from Kali Kundi glacier adjoining area of south west of Bhaderwah in Doda District, flowing from east side towards Jammu area.

Meaning of VENISUNGAM:- A compound of two words VENI & SUNGAM

            VENI means River

            SUNGAM means Confluence

            A place where confluence of three rivers namely DEVIKA, river KULLASAR and river TAWI took place.

            As per puranic versions aforesaid “Dhood Ganga” disappeared from a point near Venisungam and again erupted at Udhampur (called as Devika Udhampur), whereafter its again dis-appearance it again reappeared at PURMANDAL (Called as Devika Purmandal)  and its again disappearance from PURMANDAL and reappearance at UTTARVENI, PRAYAGRAJ and subsequently disappearance it and finally re erupted at Haridwar. The old people called this DEVIKA as gupat ganga also. Who-so-ever bathed in this river would become free from all kinds of sins. Lord Shiva himself manifested as Shiv Lingum at a number of places on the bank of Devika, so a great importance was attached to bathing in its water on special sarced days, for the purpose of obtaining moral cleansing by bathing in its water. It is believed that a holy dip at Sangam eradicates the sins committed during life time.

            Apart Venisungam has also an attached significance where upon BARAT of LORD SHIV on its way from Himalyas to Mantalai alongwith 33 kinds of Devtas had stayed there and had also took dip in the holy river of DEVIKA at Venisungam and thereafter Barat arrived at Mantalai where marriage ceremony of LORD SHIVA took place after performing “SATPATI” (Seven steps around holy fire) with Mata Parvati. Gouri Kund, Sudhmahadev,Haridwar, Mantalai and Venisangam are the Meditation (TAPP) places of Mata Parvati. River Devika is considered to be one of the most sacred rivers in our scriptures. In other words this river is called as Ganga od Duggar. Late Maharaja Ranbir Singh, a protagonist of Indian culture had planned to make a second Kashi in the area stretched from Purmandal to Uttar Vehini by erecting several temples and runnnjg a Sanskrit Pathashala at the bank of Devika, but his untimely death deprived the people of Jammu region of his so sacred plan. Brahmin Sabha J&K has also established its Head Office at Venisangam.

                                                                               BRAHMIN SABHA J&K (Regd.)

BASE HEADQUARTER OF BRAHMIN SABHA J&K

    IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS PLACE VENISANGAM

            Confluence of holy rivers is treated sacred according to Puranic literature. It is believed that a holy dip at Sangam eradicates the sins committed during life time. Allahabad (Prayag) is not only confluence of Ganga and Yammuna but of Sarswati, a sacred river as well which has since disappeared. The devotees all over the country and abroad throng to have a bath at the Sangam. Heavy rush is noticed during Kumbh melas.

            According to Neelmat puran, Dharamotra Puran, Ashtadhya and Mahabhashya, the rivers flowing through Madra Desh are very holy. These rivers are mentioned as Devika, Iravati Taushi, Chanderbhaga, Vipasha, Bhidya, Udya etc. The region between Ravi and Chenab rivers was known as Poorav Madra. Madra in fact was a Khatriya clan who also participated in Mahabhaata battle and on their name the region was called as Madrdesh. Devika originates from Shivgarh mount in the back drop of Sudhmahadev with small streams Mahishwari,Sahasdhra and Charnavati joining it following through Haridwar it joins Tawi at Venisangam. Tawi also known as Tau, Tawishi, Toshi originates from Kalikund. According to Neelmat Puran and other  legends “Toshi Toshit Bhaskara” Tawi is also known as Suryaputri. One more stream known as Bharathari originates from the top of Kullaser hill. They all join together at Venisangam.

            To its north east side is located the village Bain-Sara with few residential houses and fertile fields. The village is located in the vicinity of BAIN-VENISANGAM. Bain-Venisangam village is located smugly at the foot of a hill amidst the incredible beautiful field. There are only three residential houses and a shop at Venisangam but existence of eight conventional water mills are much fascinating. They are arranged in such a sequence that water utilized by one can be passed on to other so on. The flour ground by water mills is very favorite to local residents. Despite availability of electricity operated Chakki in each village, they prefer to carry grains bags on shoulders and come to flour mill on foot. Venisangam is also connected by road with Chenani via BAIN-BESHTY PMGSY road. The distance is nine kilometers and some portion of road has not been black topped yet.

            There has been a tremendous change in the status of Venisangam during past forty years. There existed a Narsingh temple and Lord Shiva Temple at that time but there has been lot of change and improvement in infrastructure facilities. The construction of road, Sarai, bridge and many temples have changed the position.

            In the western portion of Venisangam, the temples are situated in the order from left to right. The temple is old and idols of Shiv-Parvati carved on stone slab are in the temple. The temple is east faced. A Shiv lingum is also inside small temple. Two stone carved bulls are also outside the door of temple on a concrete basement. The next is covered space provided with a Haven Kund. In the eequence come old temple of Narsingh in which idol of God Narsingh is shown as catching the Hirankashyap on his thighs. The idol is carved on a stone slab with a fine art of carving. Below the idol of Narsingh, Shaligrams are arranged in three rows. The puja articles such as bell, water pot, dhoop, flowers, etc. are systematically kept in a copper plate so as to perform puja ritually. Next to Narsingh temple exists a big hall provided with two doors. Some cooking utensils and ration is stored in this Sarai so as to arrange Bhandara at intervals. Sarai is south faced and adjacent to it is a hall that has been constructed by a devotee to facilitate the devotees. Next to Sarai is a small temple of God Satnarayana the idol of God Satnarayana exists inside the temple. The temple has been provided with a small door and a verandah. The devotees from surrounding village come on full moon days to perform puja and offer parsad to God Satnarayana. Durga temple next to this temple is west faced. The idol of Durga sitting on lion has been postured in sanctimonious smile. The temple is newly built and strikingly attractive. The next temple is west faced on a Vishvakarma temple which was constructed during the year 1971. The year of construction has been shown above the small door of temple. Inside the temple, idol of Vishavkarama is placed. The devotees, particularly, masons and carpenters of the surrounding keep fast on Vishkarma day and visit the holy site to offer the prayers.Nest to Vishvkarama temple, there is a stone boulder on which idol of Hanuman is carved. This idol has been existing over long time. The ravages of time have not changed it. A temple has now been constructed over it. The temple is west faced and idol of Hanuman is in it.

            After crossing over the newly constructed small bridge one enters the eastern part of Venisangam. A Lord Shiva temple of historical importance enhances the beauty of Venisangam.The temple is south faced and Shiva-Parvati are postured sitting over Nandi (bull). A brass vessel with a brass stand has been placed over Shiva Lingum. The pot is filled with the water by devotees and water filled in the pot lasts for hours; when it becomes empty, the pot is again filled with water.

            A Nandi chiseled on local stone has been placed opposite the door of temple. There is a big hall facing towards the temple with open front. A back door faces towards river Tawi. It is such a position wherefrom one can enjoy the glimpses of natural grace. There are two samadhis and one kund available in the hall. The samadhis pertain to two saints who had gone to Samadhi when they were alive. These samadhis are now called as Guru-Chela Samadhi. On the occasion of Shivratri and other pious days after queuing for a quite long time one is let into the mandir for the darshan of Lord Shiva. Outside the Shiva temple premises, one more Ganga temple has been constructed by a devotee.

            A takri inscription is also existing on a big boulder on the left hand side near the stream which is understood to have the reference to the last rites of a mahant completed here. At present road available to Venisangam from Chenani (vis Bain-Baishty PMGSY Road) needs immediate repair and black topping so that it is convenient to visit by the devotees. Brahmin Sabha J&K also arranges annual Maha Mail of all Brahmin Bradries here in the month of November (second Sunday) every year and Parshuramji Jayanti in the month of May every year.