Pracheen Bhairav Temple to host grand Bhandara on Nov 24: Mahant Romil Sharma

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Situated in the heart of Jammu at Chowk Chabutra, the historic Pracheen Bhairav Temple is set to witness its grand annual Bhandara on 24th November 2024, following the traditional Pooja and Hawan on Kaal Bhairav Ashtami on 23rd November 2024.
This centuries-old temple, where Lord Bhairav resides in the form of a natural Pindi, has become a spiritual center for thousands of devotees from across the region.

The temple, which had been unattended for several years, began to receive attention over 15 years ago when Mahant Romil Sharma took it upon himself to start daily Pooja and cleaning rituals.
Since then, the temple has witnessed remarkable growth, and the annual Bhandara has evolved from a small gathering with a few kilograms of rice and Daal to one of the largest Bhandaras in Jammu, drawing thousands of devotees each year.
“This year, the Bhandara will be celebrated with much fervor, where the entire Chowk Chabutra and Dhounthly Bazar will be colourfully decorated and illuminated to mark the occasion,” Mahant Romil Sharma said.
Devotees come to seek the blessings of Lord Bhairav, the Fifth Rudra of Lord Shiva, and to overcome the negative effects of planets such as Shani and Rahu in the Indian zodiac.
Mahant Romil Sharma emphasized that performing Pooja at the Pracheen Bhairav Temple is believed to nullify the adverse effects of these planets, which are often addressed through costly gemstones, especially during tough times.
“The temple holds special significance due to an unusual incident several years ago when construction debris was accidentally dumped near the temple, causing the Pindi of Lord Bhairav to be thrown into a nearby pond,” said Mahant Romil Sharma.
According to Romil, the contractor who was responsible for the work dreamt of Lord Bhairav that night, asking him to restore the Pindi to its original location. The next morning, the contractor recovered the Pindi from the pond and placed it back at Chowk Chabutra, even constructing a temple around it, Mahant Romil said.
As the Bhandara approaches, Mahant Romil Sharma has encouraged the people of Jammu, irrespective of caste, colour, or creed, to participate in the event and seek Lord Bhairav’s blessings.
He also suggested that lighting oil lamps at the entrance of homes and shops on 22nd, 23rd, and 24th November would help keep the evil effects of unseen forces away.
The Pracheen Bhairav Temple, through its continued efforts, has grown into an iconic spiritual destination, and the annual Bhandara remains a key highlight for the people of Jammu.