History
Etymology
This rocky area was named as Jhandewala during the 18th century due to the presence of a large Prayer flags. [2]
Discovery of idol
Shri Badri Das, a prominent textile merchant from Chandni Chowk and a devout follower of Vaishno Devi, frequently visited this serene landscape for meditation. It is said that during his spiritual practices, Badri Das experienced a recurring intuition that an ancient shrine lay buried near one of the local springs. This premonition was later reinforced by a dream in which he felt guided by a divine power to uncover the site. Following these visions, he commenced an excavation near a waterfall identified in his dream, eventually discovering an ancient idol of the Vaishno Devi situated deep within a cave. Since the idol’s hands were damaged during the excavation, Shri Badri Das decided to leave it in its original place out of respect for its historical value. He then installed a new idol directly above it with full rituals. On this occasion, a massive flag was hoisted atop the temple. Being situated on a hill, the flag was visible from great distances, leading the temple to eventually be known as Jhandewala Temple. [3]
Hindu Jat and Muslim riots of 1924
During the British Raj, Muslims had built a slaughterhouse close to the temple. In May 1924, on the day of Bakri Eid, the Muslims of Pahari Dhiraj slaughtered a cow - which is revered by the Hindus as sacred - in the slaughterhouse close to the Jhandewala temple. This angered the Hindu Jats of Sadar Bazaar, which led to riots among the Jats and Muslims between 11 July and 18 July, resulting in loss of life and property. Muhammad Ali Jinnah repeatedly requested Mahatma Gandhi and Indian National Congress (INC) to stop the Jats, but Gandhi and INC were unable to control the situation. Riots were eventually stopped by the police. [4]
2025 Demolition Drive
On November 29, 2025, a significant demolition drive was carried out by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in the Jhandewalan, specifically affecting the ancient Baba Pir Ratan Nath temple-dargah complex located near the RSS headquarters. The action involved the removal of structures cited as illegal encroachments, including a langar hall and several residential units. The demolition led to widespread local protests, with residents and devotees alleging that the site held over 800 years of historical significance and that no prior legal notice was served. [5] [6]
Religious celebrations
The daily worship at the temple follows a regulated schedule of five Aartis, with timings adjusting between summer and winter seasons. The day begins with the Mangal Aarti at 5:30 AM (Summer) or 6:00 AM (Winter), where dry fruits are offered as bhog. This is followed by the Shringar Aarti at 9:00 AM, during which devotees offer cheele, chane, milk, and coconut. At noon, the Bhog Aarti takes place, featuring a meal of rice, dal, and roti. Evening rituals commence with the Sayam Aarti at 8:00 PM (Summer) or 7:30 PM (Winter), where chane is offered. The day concludes with the Shayan Aarti at 10:00 PM (Summer) or 9:30 PM (Winter), with an offering of milk before the temple closes. The temple premises open at 5:00 AM in the summer and 5:30 AM in the winter. The shrine remains closed for a break from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, although this closure is suspended on Sundays, Tuesdays, and during Ashtami. The temple hosts specific weekly and monthly events. A Havan and Kirtan are performed daily in the morning. On Tuesday evenings, a special Kirtan is held. A Jagaran is performed on the Ashtami of every Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) starting at 10:00 PM. [8]
Festivals and pandemic response
The temple is a major center for Navratri celebrations in Delhi, featuring rituals such as Jyoti Kalash, Kanya Puja, and Devi Mahatmya. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the temple authorities implemented strict safety protocols, including twice-daily sanitization and the deployment of medical teams consisting of hundreds of volunteers to manage devotee flow. Despite a decrease in footfall due to government restrictions, traditional ceremonies like the Grand Aarti on Durga Ashtami continued to be performed by the priests under specialized health guidelines. [9]
The temple hosts numerous festivals, with Navratri and Durga Puja featuring special pujas. During these festivals, the temple is adorned with lights and flowers, and kirtan, bhajans, and havans are held each morning. Photography is prohibited in the prayer hall. [10]
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