350 yrs Old Balram Temple in Jammu: Those who tie Rakhi to Lord Krishna’s elder brother Balarama get marital happiness

Malu Sharma

The 350 yrs old temple is built for the deity Balrama who is the elder brother of Lord Krishna and he is regarded as one of the avatars of Sheshnaga. Lord Balrama is considered as the God of fertility and agriculture. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
There are only two temples of Lord Krishna’s elder brother Balarama (Balabhadra) in North India. One is in Vrindavan, Mathura while the other is in Dhaunthali situated on the banks of Surya Putri Tavishi river in the temple city of Jammu. This historic temple, more than 350 years old, was built by Maharaja Ranveer Singh of Jammu. It is a belief that every wish sought here with devotion is fulfilled within a year. It is said that Maharaja Ranveer Singh had brought the idols of Lord Balarama and his wife Mata Revati from Vrindavan in Mathura to Jammu.
According to an old legend, it is believed that one day the king saw snakes in his dream and this process continued for several weeks due to which the king thought of consulting a priest. After narrating the whole story to the priest, it is said that the priest advised the king to construct a temple at this particular area. As soon as the construction of the temple was started, the snakes in the dreams started to disappear.
It is believed that the people who have Kaalsarpa Dosha in their kundils can get rid of it by worshipping Lord Balrama. The temple is known for doing Kaal Sarp Yog Pooja which is done to counter the agonies in the life. The puja is supposed to be done for 21 days by reciting different mantras.
The name Balram was given because of the fact that the deity believed to have great strength. The puja ceremonies are organised in the temple especially on Raksha bandhan because it is said that Lord Balrama was born under Shravana Nakshatra in Shraavana purnima or Raksha bandhan . The maintenance of the temple is done by Dharmarth Trust.