Mata Kulwagishuri Temple in Kulgam

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Background and Introduction of Mata Kulwagishuri Temple: 



(Sacred Pond/Nag/Chashma)



                       (Entrance of temple)


Whole Jammu and Kashmir has been a pious land of temples, shrines, saints, seers and faquirs'. So kulgam is no exception to this truth. The Kulwagishori temple/shrine is a very famous and sacred shrine in south Kashmir. It is situated in the Bongam area of Kulgam and in the vicinity of the river Kawl and historic Vishaw. It is located at the most scenic natural beauty. There is a stone statue of Mata Kulwagishori in the temple building and devotees used to visit this shrine from far and wide of Kulgam before militancy and migration. Kashmiri Pandits have much faith and belief in Mata Kulwagishori shrine. It is historically, culturally and religiously very famous so much so that it is believed that Kulgam had derived its name from Kulwagiswari  and it is rightly so and thus both Indus and Muslims attach much importance to this holy shrine and revere it. Kulwagishori means the Goddess of speech as Kulwagishori. It a Sanaskrit word and denotes  deity of speech. At present there is a big Dharamshalla in the shrine premises where Package employees are staying at rent. There is a small spring in front of the temple which is considered sacred by the people. It is also believed that there is a golden fish in the spring. The KP Baradari under shree Arjan Nath Bhat and one Zutshi Sahab who  are looking after this shrine and early hawan is also solemnised to propitiate goddess and seek her blessings. It is an old temple in Kulgam and is dedicated to Goddess Kulwagishori.

Relevance of this temple with KPs: 

Kulwagishori temple is an important temple of Kashmiri Pandits and is one of the pilgrimage destinations of KP’s in south Kashmir district headquarters of Kulgam.The temple stood closed for seventeen years and it was repaired and renovated by the KP Baridari Kulgam. This important temple of Kashmiri Pandits was damaged by militants. It is an ancient temple and some say that it is 400 years old and so is historically significant for the Kashmiri Pandits. Before migration Kashmiri Pandits and Dogri speaking Kashmiri Rajputs used to pay obeisance at the feet of Mata Kulwagishori temple and it is believed that wishes of those who visit the shrine are fulfilled.The renovation and restoration of this temple was done by the Mata Kulwagishori Prabandak Committee with the cooperation of the All Party Migrant Coordination Committee. But today there is no security concern and devotees are visiting this temple without any sense of insecurity.A maha yagya was also performed for the first time after militants damage it. However now annual hawan is solemnised for peace, security, normalcy and progress of Jammu and Kashmir and hundreds of the devotees take part in hawan, seek blessings and partake prasad after the Puranauthi of the hawan.

Kulwagishuri Temple as a symbol of universal brotherhood and communal harmony: 

It can be said that return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits is not possible without the cooperation and willingness and support of the majority community. The government should take Muslim community into confidence before embarking on the noble and needed plan of the return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits.The bridges of divide can be eliminated with the involvement of Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims in the reopening of the temples such as Wagishori temple and other such important temples of Kashmiri Pandits. Let us bridge the divide between the two communities so that Kashmir once again becomes a paradise on earth. Kulwagishori temple is in fact a symbol of communal harmony and mutual amity between the two communities of KPs and KMs.

(Vivek Koul, owner of this Blogger site)

Link to some older Posts:

1. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/01/saint-swami-mirza-kak-ji-mystic-saint.html

2. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2026/01/sharda-mata-shrine-in-udhampur-history.html

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