Famous Temples jn Jammu (contd)
Bawe wali mata da Mandir
An eighth century temple of the Goddess Mahakali popularly known as Bawe wali Mata is confined to the Bahu Fort. The Bahu Fort is considered as one of the most mighty and sacred shrines of the Jammu city.
The Bahu Fort which was demolished time and again, was eventually reconstructed by Maharaja Gulab Singh in the early 19th century after he had seen the Goddess Mahakali in his dream instructing him to build the temple immediately. Its renovation was then restarted during the reign of Maharaja Ranbir Singh son of Maharaja Gulab Singh who ruled the Jammu and Kashmir state between 1856 to 1885. As a matter of fact, the idol of the deity was installed long ago but the temple housing the image was built up afterwards by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the first Dogra ruler of whole of the Jammu and Kashmir State. Mahakali temple dates back to 3400 BC, and is one of the oldest temples in India together with Mahamaya Temple
The Mahakali temple houses a black stone coloured idol of the Goddess Mahakali. The Dogra rulers as well as Jammuites held it in high esteem.During Navratras, the people have to wait for at least 4 to 6 hours or even more for having darshan of the Goddess Mahakali.
According to Archaeological Survey of India sources, the temple structure belongs to the 8th century AD and even earlier than 8th century AD.

                                                   Bawe Mandir in Bahu Fort Complex

Garba greh: Jai Bawe Wali Mata di