Baglamukhi, or Bagala, represents the female aspect of a personification of the mahavidyas, a collection of ten Tantrik deities in Hinduism. Devi Baglamukhi dispels the misconceptions and delusions of her devotees with her cudgel. The term ‘Bagala’ originates from ‘Valga,’ which means bridle or to rein in, evolving into Vagla and then Bagala. Baglamukhi is one of the ten forms of the Devi, embodying a powerful, primeval feminine force. Major temples dedicated to Baglamukhi can be found at Shri Bagalamukhi Shaktipeetham in Shivampet, Narsapur, Telangana, the Baglamukhi temple in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, Buglidhar and Ghuttu in Uttarakhand, Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam, the Baglamukhi temple in Lilitpur, Nepal, and Banghandi in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. She is revered as the goddess of power, protection, and triumph over obstacles. The name Bagla signifies bridle or rein, while Mukhi means faced or facing. Thus, Baglamukhi symbolizes her ability to restrain or control negative forces and adversaries. Maa Baglamukhi is a highly respected Hindu goddess, recognized as the eighth Mahavidya—Great Wisdom - in the Dasha Mahavidya tradition. She is celebrated as the deity of power, protection, and victory over challenges. In the Satya Yuga, it is believed that a great storm began to wreak havoc on creation. The god Vishnu was troubled and undertook austerities to please goddess Parvati on the banks of Haridra Sarovar, the lake of turmeric.
The Devi is known by 108 different names, with some referring to her by as many as 1108 names. In North India, she is mostly called Pitambari, whose associations are the colors yellow and gold. She is depicted as sitting on a golden throne supported by exquisitely carved pillars and has three eyes signifying imparting supreme knowledge to her devotees. Bahalamukhi is the form of Devi as she emerged from the lake, and with her peace, she quelled the chaos. One version recounts, a demon named Madan received Vak-Siddhi, which made his words true, and he used to harass and kill people using his powers. The Gods prayed to Bagalamukhi for help. The goddess then pulled out the demon's tongue, rendering him powerless. Thereafter, Madan requested that the goddess allow him to be worshipped alongside her, and she honored this desire before finally defeating him. Bagalamukhi is herself closely connected with yellow, wearing yellow dress and ornamentation. Her intense relationship with this color is illustrated in various texts, as yellow has a place of utmost importance in the puja ritual. Yellow items are offered while devotees are dressed in yellow and seated on yellow cloth. Her names or mantras are chanted with a rosary composed of yellow turmeric beads. Yellow color stands for the sun, gold, the earth, and fire; it signifies auspiciousness, plenitude, and purity. Turmeric (yellow) is also a marriage-related color, which is why Goddess Bagalamukhi is also called Pitambhara Devi.
She is revered as the bestower of supernatural powers (Siddhis) and magical abilities (Riddhis, meaning good fortune, prosperity, and wealth). In the Bagalamukhistotratram, a section of the Rudrayamala (a well-known Tantra text), hymns celebrate the powers of Goddess Bagalamukhi. She is one of the ten Mahavidyas, representing the fierce feminine energy in Hinduism. Goddess Bagalamukhi is the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe. She embodies Aadi Shakti, the life force that underpins the existence of everything. Without this vitality, survival is impossible. She is the unmatched power and the eighth Mahavidya. Bagalamukhi Devi dispels the devotee’s confusion and illusions with her club.
Shri Bagalamukhi symbolizes the backside of Shiva. The only temple of Bagalamukhi is along the River Rambir, on the Jammu-Akhnoor Road, near Muthi Camp. The rectangular temple painted in brilliant yellow is dedicated to the goddess Bagalamukhi. There is a small image in yellow in a small hall below of Devi Bagalamukhi, along with her ornaments. Other than the temple walls painted in yellow-lime—indicative of Bagalamukhi's penchant for these colors and the reason many devotees visit wearing yellow—the temple has multiple deities, which include Ganesh, Shiva, Shani Dev, Hanuman, Rama, Sitaji, and Lakshmanaji, and there sits a statue of Sai Baba besides idols of Mata Kali and Jagatamba. The temple has a large yard for conducting Hawans. Sometimes, a langar is provided to devotees. Because of its location, drivers, conductors, and passengers often stop here simply to eat Prasad. Unique in that it is the only temple of Goddess Bagalamukhi, it attracts many prone to presenting yellow ladoos to the Goddess, which are often made of besan (gram flour). Since she is known as the remover of obstacles and the grantor of happiness, people pray for her blessings of strength, health, wealth, and prosperity. God bless Bagalamukhi to destroy all hurdles hampering the growth of Jammu and Kashmir, benefiting the populace to live in peace and prosperity.
(Vivek Koul).
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