Many scriptures describe the Devika River as either the holiest river in existence, or, as some call it, the Ganges of Duggar. Even though Devika is located and flows through Jammu (in J&K state), many scholars have provided conflicting views as to what this river really is, where it came from and where it is going to. According to the Dr. Vasudeva Sharan Agrawal, "Devika is the sacred river of 'Madra Desha' - the old name for what we now call the land of Dogras; it begins its course in the hills of Jammu at 'Sahashra-dhara', which is located near the Suddha Mahadev temple, flowing through 'Jammu' and into 'Western Punjab' (present day 'Pakistan') and eventually meeting up with the Ravi River in Pakistan."
According to Dr. P. V. Kane, a winner of the Bharat Ratna award, this river should be placed next to Wullar Lake in Kashmir Valley - contrary to Dr. Agrawal's view of the river located under the earth's surface except for the monsoon. Nandu Lal Day, in his book, "Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Medieval India," identifies the river with Saryu. However, the references to Devika and Saryu in the Vana and Anushasana Parava of the Mahabharata provide strong evidence that these are two distinct rivers located in separate areas.
The Vamana Purana has two references for the river Devika Tirtha; this is supported and confirmed in another reference from Varah Purana. In Varah Purana, there is an additional expression about the river, "Devika, the name of a God, emerged from the ocean to allow the Gods to perform their penance early in the morning before it ultimately joined with Gandaki," creating a connection between the river Devika and the river that joins Gandaki. The reference presents a significant ambiguity in terms of distinguishing the actual rivers by their name or identifying the actual river with a particular name. However, based on the majority of views, there is no confusion regarding which river is referred to as Devika because all views confirm that Devika is merged with the river that is called Ravi; therefore, there is only one merging river, which is called Ravi, and all views confirm Ravi as the appropriate river.
The translation of the Martanda Purana indicates that the river Devika is identified as the small river Degh, in support of the arguments put forth by Mr. Jagannath, which have been endorsed by Dr. Kane. There are also references to a river Devika in the 'Prabhasa Mahatmya, ' which has a river with the name of Devidaka, flowing from Mulasthan (Multan) to the Indus. These sources will need additional study to provide adequate identification of the river Devika described in the Nilamata purana.
While the Visnu Dharmottara Puranas mention the Devika River in passing, a statement found in the Vamana Purana makes clear that “Umadeviti Madreshu Devika ya Saridvara”. This means that “Uma/Parvati turned into a River Devika” which now exists as a river with the name Duggar in the region of Madradesha. The paninis and Patanjali refer to this same river in the two oldest Sanskrit grammars — Ashtadyayi and Mahabhasya respectively (Devika Kulodbhav ah shalayah). The grasses growing on the shores of the Devika were of the finest quality. According to the Visnu Dharma Sutra. The vratya class will rule over the areas surrounding the rivers Sindhu, Devika, Chandrabhaga and the Vitasta (Jhelum).
The previous reference is just one purana where the presence of the river has been established. Other Purana’s references to the river Devika include The Brahmanada Purana, The Vayu Purana, The Narada Purana, The Visnu Purana, The Skanda Purana, The Padma Purana, The Brihadaranyakupanisad and The Kathopanised. It thus can be concluded from all these references combined that Devika river is one of the holiest rivers in India, and that Devika is the river that is now in the Jammu area (known as Duggar or Madra Desha in ancient times). The references made by Panini, Patanjali, the Visnu Dharmottara Purana, and the Nilamata Purana are correct. Thus, as mentioned before, the references of all the incorrect scholars will be nullified automatically. The origins of the river are from Sahasra-Dhara, near Suddha Mahadeva, and flows south-west into Pakistan (roughly 50 miles). God Shiva describes how the river originates from Sahasra-Dhara.
yatra devi mahagouri Pradurbhuta sahasradha.
yasmat girivarat jata, devika jyoti rupini.
Devi Mahagauri (Parvati) manifests in the form of a thousand petals. My beloved consort Devi Parvati manifests herself as the river Devika for the betterment of mankind. She is energy that continues to flow through me as my life force. This is why she is referred to as my Ardhangini (partner in spirit).
ya shaktirmama sharirastha dehardhmashrita..
madagaya madra prithivim sapta sagar mekhalam.
Because the river was modeled after me, and since I am her energy, and in effect, she is the energy, even if she just made the decision as my partner to create the shape of the river ‘Devika’ to help the People of the Great Country of Madra, The River 'Devika' starts from it's beginning to reach the Pilgrimage Town of Purmandal at approximately 27 km North East of Jammu City, where it only appears above ground at a few specific places along the way. At Purmandal, the river is small; the only time you see real water there is during the Rainy Season, is when there is very little flowing over (above) ground; when people want to bathe there, they have to dig holes in the ground for water to come to, so for this reason, newer commentaries from the Great Commentators of Panini for the Best of his Work (ASHTADHYAYI - LIKE The Commentary BY World-renown VAMANA & JAVADITYA) that stated “DEVIKAYAM = WATER & THUS DEVIKAM= DEVIKA WATER) show that only through digging that which is being Called/Refers to as DEVIKABHAVAMUDAKA or DEVIKA WATER can we get Water at DEVIKA r. In addition all other Rivers we recently learned about do not have defined shapes like DEVIKA River from which WATER comes out; thus only DEVIKA AK-DEVIKA. And when anyone goes out to Gold or wet sand all over every time he finds out that water is inside of it, by digging into DEVIKA at which he can find WATER then and can drink DEVIKA WATER but for only so long until he can no-longer drink DEVIKA WATER.
The mid-20th century's "Uttar vahini" (meaning "northern flowing") in northern India was the result of changing times and the spread of Hinduism. In ancient times, there were no large cities or big rivers in this area; the people lived in small villages and communities. The people of this period were also very religious. When the people of the Haryana region began establishing shrines to the gods of nature, it became known as the "land of temples." In the end of the first half of the 20th century, the temples constructed in this region would be primarily used by the Rajputs of the Ganges Valley. The temples would serve as a focal point for both the Rajputs and the rest of Hindu society. The temples in this region would allow for an increasing interaction between people, a coming together of different groups of people. The temples would also serve as an example for future generations to follow. In addition to constructing temples and shrines, the Hindu people would build many temples dedicated to the same gods. It would also be a way of celebrating their beliefs and practices. The end of the 19th century was characterized by people converting to Hinduism from other religions, and many of those people moved to the Haryana region from other areas.
The Help Us Rebuild project is an effort to help promote the heritage and culture of the region. The project is directed by members of the Dogra community and includes members from all backgrounds who wish to help promote the heritage of the region. Members of the Dogra community believe that it is very important for the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to support their heritage, culture and traditions and to create an environment where future generations may thrive. Members of the Dogra community want to create a better future for the region of Jammu and Kashmir, and for the children and grandchildren of those who have lived and died in this area.
(Writer:- Vivek Koul, Owner of this blogger site)
Link to some older blogs:
1. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/04/all-about-celebrating-hanuman-jayanti.html
2. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/09/food-adulteration-in-india-has-become.html
Excellent article
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