Devotees flock to Jayanti Devi Hill for ‘Panch Bhishma Fair’

The Jayanti Devi Hill, overlooking the town of Kangra, has come alive with chants of devotion as thousands of devotees gather for the Panch Bhishma Fair. Perched atop a 500-foot hill facing Kangra Fort, Mata Jayanti Devi Temple is one of the region’s most revered shrines, attracting pilgrims from across the country.

The five-day fair will continue until November 5, coinciding with Bhishma Panchak period of the Hindu month of Kartik. According to the ‘Puranas’ and other Hindu scriptures, the Bhishma Panchak fast — also known as ‘Panch Bhikhu’—is believed to absolve sins and carries great spiritual importance.

During the festival, the temple’s sanctum is adorned with elaborate decorations, and five sacred lamps are kept burning continuously for five days, symbolising steadfast devotion. The air reverberates with chants and hymns as devotees offer prayers to Mata Jayanti, a manifestation of Goddess Durga’s sixth arm, venerated as a symbol of victory since the Dwapar Yuga.

Women devotees play a central role in the observance, fasting through the five days, subsisting on fruits and offering prayers to the Tulsi plant, which they worship at home. The fair draws large crowds not only from Kangra but from distant regions, transforming the temple complex into a vibrant hub of faith and festivity.

Bhishma Panchak: Five sacred days of wisdom and devotion

As Pandavas awaited the Sun’s northward journey, Lord Krishna urged Bhishma to impart his wisdom to them. From a bed of arrows, Bhishma shared teachings on ‘Rajdharma’ and ‘Moksha Dharma’, guiding humanity on the paths of spiritual liberation.

On ‘Ekadashi’, Bhishma chose to relinquish his life, whereupon Lord Krishna declared the following five days as sacred. Since then, these days — known as ‘Bhishma Panchak’ — have been observed with deep reverence, symbolising Bhishma’s legacy of wisdom, duty and righteousness.