Malu Sharma
Purmandal, a place which has huge religious and mythological importance for Hindus has suffered official, political neglect and this is the reason it did not attain importance as a destination of pilgrimage tourism in Jammu region. About 30 kilometers south-east of Jammu, Purmandal village on the banks of Devika River, is also called as ‘Chhota Kashi’ for religious importance of the water source and historical significance of temples. Hindu people take pilgrimage to Purmandal and take bath in the Devika River or ‘Gupt Ganga’, as they believe bathing in the pious river cleanses soul.
But today, this ancient pilgrimage is in a pathetic condition and the revered temple complex has been reduced to a free abode for the cattle. The place stinks with cow dung and excreta scattered everywhere on the sands of pious ‘Gupt Ganga’, whose religious and historic importance has almost been forgotten.
It is pertinent to mention here that the temple complex situated on the banks of river Devika, dedicated to Lord Shiv and Parvati has a history of over 2500 years. According to Hindu mythology, a dip in holy Devika at Purmandal opens gateway to ‘Moksh’. This is why, the place is also called ‘Chhota Kaashi’, but it is unfortunate that the religious and mythological importance of Purmandal is neglected by the Governments and Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority, as a result of which, Purmandal, which has the potential of being a major attraction of pilgrimage tourism, has been neglected.
Kanhiya Kumar, a resident of Purmandal while talking to STATE TIMES said, “Purmandal has a potential to attract tourists but it has become a victim of neglect. It is unfortunate that the place lacks even basic amenities like toilets and washrooms. There is no proper facility for drinking water and the tourism department has failed to put up an eatery for the visiting pilgrims. The people from Jammu and its adjoining areas do come here during two and half months of ‘Manvas’ for certain rituals, but they too have to face difficulties due to complete absence of basic amenities. A huge footfall is witnessed here on Amavasya but the pilgrims, especially women coming here, face difficulties. The women are forced to take bath in open as the only shabby washroom for ladies is mostly locked.”
Dr Anand Kishore Shastri, a local shared, “Besides the Government, Dharmarth trust that exercises control over the temple complex has done little over the years to add on to the existing facilities for the pilgrims. Many people prefer to conduct the last rites of their loved ones at Purmandal at the banks of holy Devika due to the mythological beliefs, but they rue lack of basic facilities. There is a dire need of sheds, waiting areas, facility of drinking water so that people coming here can get basic facilities at least.”
Locals expressed resentment and concern over the non-cooperation of Surinsar-Mansar Tourism Development Authority due to which people visiting these shrines are facing numerous problems especially the women pilgrims face severe difficulties while taking bath in open areas. Locals appeal to the Government to immediately construct bathing Ghats and public conveniences near the banks of Holy Devika so that lakhs of devotees visiting these Shrines may not face these hardships.
Banarsi Dass, another local said, “The first thing that need to be done is to have direct transport facility from Jammu and adjoining areas to Purmandal. It is sad that there is no connectivity between Uttarbehni and Purmandal. Many people visit Uttarbehni and desire to visit Purmandal too but due to no transport facility visitors are not able to visit this place. So the most important thing is to start transport service so that people can easily visit this place. If these holy places of Purmandal are developed on modern lines with sufficient facilities for devotees, it will drastically change the socio-economic scenario of the region with increased footfall of devotees, besides, good number of tourists.”