KOLKANDOLI TEMPLE (NAGROTA)The temple of Kolkandoli is located in Nagrota, 13 km away from Jammu. According to legend, mother goddess appeared as a small child in Nagrota and practiced spiritual austerities for 12 years. During those times, mother used to play with little children. One day, a girl child felt thirsty, the divine child gave a bowl (Kol) and when it was shaken, water gushed out. It was believed that Kolkandoli temple was built by Pandavai. This temple has been considered to be gateway to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Pilgrims worship the mother goddess in the form of a single pindi which is believed to have emerged on the day when mata left Nagrota for Trikuta Mountain. Adjacent to this shrine, there is a temple of Gandeshwara Mahadeva, dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a holy well opposite the Shiva temple. Water from the well is supposed to have healing properties. |