Mata Kulwagishuri Temple in Kulgam

Background and Introduction of Mata Kulwagishuri Temple: 

The whole Jammu and Kashmir has been a pious land of temples, shrines, saints, seers and faquirs'. So kulgam is no exception to this very truth. In this pretext, 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. The "Kaval" (or Kawl) is a local stream that is a primary offshoot of the Veshaw River in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.  This temple 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.

(Main Entrance Gate of Kulwagishuri Temple)

              (Idol of Mata Kulwagishuri Ji)

                    (Inside Hall of Temple)

             (Small Park outside the temple)

       (Devotee meditating inside temple)

(Water of sacred pond flowing which is being used for fresh drinking water purpose)

(Sacred Pond/Nag/Chashma)

                       (Entrance of temple)

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 Hindus 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.

My recent visit to Mata Kulwagishuri Temple/Shrine

Few days back, I was feeling a little bored in my rented room in Qazigund. I thought it would be a good idea to visit a religious place and seek the blessings of God. I first shared the plan with my better half, but she could not join me as she was busy with household chores, as it was Sunday. I then discussed the plan with my cousin brother, and he agreed to accompany me. We decided to visit Mata Kulwagishuri Temple, an old and sacred religious place located at Bongam in Kulgam. We started our journey from Qazigund and travelled towards Kulgam through Devsar and the Chambgund Bridge. We reached the temple in around 45–50 minutes.

As soon as we entered the temple premises, I felt a sense of peace and positivity. The temple has a large hall and a properly constructed havan kund where devotees can perform havan. The Mata Kulwagishuri Trust has also constructed a building with rooms for devotees and visitors. It was particularly heartening to see that some PM Package employees are also staying there with their families. It was also good to see that the R&B Division Kulgam is carrying out repair and renovation work at the premises. Such efforts help in maintaining and improving the facilities at an important religious and cultural place. We spent around one to two hours at the temple. After offering prayers and seeking the blessings of Mata Kulwagishuri and we started our journey back to Qazigund. The visit was peaceful and refreshing and I returned with a feeling of satisfaction and inner calm.

Religious significance and 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.

         (Vivek Koul, blogger cum Journalist)

(Photo of Vivek Koul, blogger inside temple premises)

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