Panch Bhishma festival begins at Kangra :

1. Thousands of pilgrims today visited the Jayanti Mata temple on the first day of the five-day Panch Bhishm festival. The temple, situated on a hillock overlooking the lush green Kangra valley, remains a major attraction for the people, particularly during the festival. The temple is said to be as old as the Pandva period with a pindi of the Goddess.

2. Jayanti Mata is Kul Devi of members of the Gorkha community too. The pilgrims started climbing the hill from the wee hours of this morning, reciting Vedic hymns and singing bhajans.

3. This festival coincides with the celebration of marriage of “Tulsi” with “Saligram” and to remember the great warrior Bhishm Pitamaha.

4. The festival will culminate on November 12. A large number pilgrims from West Bengal too visited the temple and paid obeisance to the goddess on the occasion.

Jayanti Mata Temple :

Just in front of Kangra Fort is the temple of Jayanti Mata situated on a hill about 500 feet high. Jayanti Mata is considered to be a form of the sixth arm of Mother Durga. It is said that this temple of Mata in Kangra was built in Dwapar era. While Jayanti Mata is a symbol of victory, she is also Papanashini. According to mythology, the Pandavas have also resided here for some time. During the war of Mahabharata, Yudhishthra had a dream by mother Jayanti that he would win in this war and also instructed that the Pandavas should take the blessings of mother Chamunda.

The view of this area is something else during the Panchbhishma fairs. Thousands of people flock here to see the mother, not only in Kangra, but also from far-flung areas in these fairs that last for five days in the temple. To reach this temple built on the top of the mountain, there was a straight climb along the bumpy road, but with time, better paths have been built here. Facilities for devotees are also increasing constantly. From Old Kangra, the steps of Jayanti Mata Temple can be reached by road, after this, after walking a distance of about four kilometers, reach the temple.

History :

It is said that after the victory of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war, Lord Krishna took the Pandavas to Bhishma Pitamah. Lord Krishna requested him to impart knowledge to the Pandavas. Pitamah Bhishma, lying on the death bed, was waiting for the sun to be Uttarayan. On the request of Shri Krishna, the Pandavas gave knowledge of Raj Dharma, Varna Dharma and Moksha Dharma. The order of imparting knowledge by Bhishma continued from Ekadashi to the full moon date i.e. five days. When Bhishma gave complete knowledge, Lord Shri Krishna said that the five days which you have given knowledge, these five days have become very favorable from today. These five days will be known as 'Bhishma Panchak' in future. Since then the event has started in the Jayanti Mata Temple which continues unabated.

Importance of Bhishma Panchak fast :

The Bhishma Panchak fast is considered to be extremely auspicious and virtuous. This fast is liberating and beneficial from previously accumulated sins. Whoever observes this fast is always healthy and receives the blessings of the Lord. A fasting Bhishma Panchak should perform Yajnadi Karma for five days, following restraint and sattvikta. In this fast, there is also a law for shraddha and tarpan for the fulfillment of Ganga's son Bhishma.