Kashmiri Pandits are living in the 35th year of their forced and involuntary exile from their native place Kashmir. But thank God that this microscopic minority community has almost preserved their traditions, customs, rituals and in fact their culture and heritage. The Kashmiri Pandits have made Jammu, their second home and Jammuites deserve all praise and pat at their back for having embraced Kashmiri Pandits with open arms. The KP’s have constructed the replicas of their shrines and temples in Jammu and other places of India but their shrines and temples still exist across the length and breadth of Kashmir, but their places of worship are in ruins and some are in very dilapidated conditions. Kashmiri Pandits have the cherished dream and vision of having a homeland in Kashmir called Punn Kashmir and the community has declared in way back 1991 in the significant resolution called Margdarshan resolution that Punn Kashmir should be carved for 7 lack Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir where these original inhabitants of Kashmir should be settled. The original Bhadrakali temple exists in north Kashmir district of Handwara and devotees still visit this shrine especially on the auspicious days but the usual rush of devotees is otherwise absent due to the turmoil .
The Badrakali Temple at Phallianwala in Jammu is not just a place of worship—it is a living testament to the rich spiritual heritage and cultural identity of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Nestled in the outskirts of Jammu city, near the Tawi River, this sacred shrine holds a deep religious significance and emotional connect for displaced Kashmiri Pandits who have made Jammu their second home after being forced to flee the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s. Badrakali, also known as Bhadrakali, is one of the fierce and powerful forms of Goddess Durga. She is revered as the protector of righteousness and the destroyer of evil. In Kashmiri Shaivism and Hindu traditions, Badrakali is venerated as an incarnation of Shakti—the divine feminine energy.
The temple dedicated to her at Phallianwala is a symbol of spiritual continuity for Kashmiri Pandits, who brought with them their deities, customs, and traditions when they were uprooted from their homeland.
While the original shrines dedicated to Badrakali and other deities in Kashmir still exist, many are now in ruins or inaccessible due to political turmoil. In this context, the Badrakali Temple in Jammu has emerged as a beacon of hope, resilience, and devotion. It serves as a spiritual refuge where the displaced community gathers to reconnect with their roots and preserve their cultural identity. Phallianwala is situated on the western side of Jammu, not far from the Tawi River and the Jammu airport. It is a serene and quiet area, offering the perfect backdrop for a temple dedicated to a goddess known for both her fierce form and motherly compassion. The temple stands as a modest yet powerful symbol of faith amid the bustling development of the region. Surrounded by greenery and often echoed with devotional chants and the ringing of bells, the Badrakali Temple exudes an aura of spiritual calm. Devotees often report a feeling of peace and divine energy when they visit, further reinforcing its importance in their spiritual lives.
The temple was built with the collective efforts of the Kashmiri Pandit community settled in Jammu, particularly after the exodus from the Valley in the early 1990s. In their new environment, they felt the urgent need for a place that would not only serve as a spiritual center but also as a cultural hub where traditional festivals, rituals, and communal gatherings could be held. With contributions from community members and support from local well-wishers, the Badrakali Temple came into being. Its architecture, though simple, reflects elements of traditional Kashmiri Hindu temple design—marked by sanctity, symmetry, and spiritual symbolism. The main sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) houses the murti (idol) of Goddess Badrakali, adorned with red and saffron cloths, garlands, and ornaments. Her depiction with weapons in multiple arms signifies her role as a fierce protector, while her serene face offers comfort and blessings to her devotees.
Navratri, particularly the Sharad Navratri in autumn and Chaitra Navratri in spring, is celebrated with great fervor at the Badrakali Temple. During these nine days, the temple witnesses a large influx of devotees who observe fasts, perform special pujas, and participate in devotional songs (bhajans) and dance rituals (jagarans). Another important celebration is Kher Bhawani Mela, a festival deeply rooted in the Kashmiri Pandit tradition. Although the original Kher Bhawani temple is in Tulmulla, Kashmir, the spirit of the festival is kept alive at temples like Badrakali, where people gather to pray, light lamps, and remember the spiritual legacy of their ancestors. Another important celebration is Kher Bhawani Mela, a festival deeply rooted in the Kashmiri Pandit tradition. Although the original Kher Bhawani temple is in Tulmulla, Kashmir, the spirit of the festival is kept alive at temples like Badrakali, where people gather to pray, light lamps, and remember the spiritual legacy of their ancestors.
Rituals like havans (fire rituals), group prayers, and community feasts are a regular part of temple activities. These not only fulfill religious functions but also foster a sense of unity and cultural pride among the displaced community. More than a place of worship, the Badrakali Temple at Phallianwala serves as a nucleus for preserving and promoting Kashmiri Pandit culture. Language classes, religious discourses, youth programs, and cultural events are often organized in the temple premises. These initiatives aim to keep the younger generations connected to their roots and aware of their heritage. In an age of rapid modernization and identity dilution, such temples play a vital role in maintaining the thread of tradition. They are repositories of oral history, ritual knowledge, and communal memory.
The Badrakali Temple is a shining example of how faith can serve as a bridge between the past and the future. For the Kashmiri Pandit community in Jammu, it is more than bricks and mortar—it is a living flame of belief, resilience, and spiritual continuity. The temple not only honours the divine mother in her fierce form but also stands as a tribute to the strength of a community that has endured displacement, loss, and hardship, yet continues to thrive with dignity and devotion. As efforts continue to develop and preserve such temples, it is important for civil society and local authorities to recognize their cultural and historical value. Protecting and promoting these spiritual centres can contribute significantly to communal harmony and cultural pluralism in Jammu and Kashmir. In conclusion, the Badrakali Temple at Phallianwala is a sacred monument of hope—rooted in ancient beliefs, nurtured through communal solidarity, and blossoming as a centre of spiritual and cultural rejuvenation in contemporary times.We are indebted to Badrakali mandir trust,the people who donated generously for the construction of the temple and the Jammu’ based well wishers due to whom this grand temle dedicated to Badrakali was built .May Goddess Badrakali destroy the evil forces and protect the righteous people and make the dream of Pannun Kashmir a reality in very near future and this is our great prayer to this deity and may She fulfil this wish of the exiled Kashmiri Pandits.

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