Divine assembly issues warning against desecration of sacred sites

Deities express anger over turning holy places into picnic spots
A “Bari Jagti” (grand divine assembly) held today warned that continued interference with nature could trigger a major natural disaster in Kullu-Manali. The gathering expressed deep concern over the growing disrespect shown toward sacred sites in the Valley of the Gods.
The divine congregation took place at the Jagati Patt temple in Naggar village, resonating with the presence of 260 deities represented through their sacred symbols—dhar and ghanta (staff and bell). The deities voiced strong displeasure over holy places being turned into leisure spots and cautioned that such actions could have grave consequences.
Among the key issues raised was the construction of a ropeway from Piridi, near Kullu, to the opposite hill where the revered Bijli Mahadev temple is located.
The oracle (daivagya) of Goddess Hadimba condemned the interference around the Bijli Mahadev area and the historic Dhalpur grounds—integral to the Kullu Dussehra festival and other rituals. The goddess declared that divine matters must remain above politics and warned, “I can destroy the entire region in a single night—neither land nor food will remain. The incident behind the Manalsu stream this year was a warning.”
She further stated, “We are mightier than kings,” urging the royal family to fulfill their duties with sincerity, as the gods had bestowed their power and position upon them. The deities lamented that in today’s times, people are trying to assert dominance over divine forces, diminishing the sanctity and power of the temples.
During such occasions, the gods speak through their oracles (gurus and pujaris). The last Bari Jagti was held in 2006 to oppose the Himalayan Ski Village project, which was later abandoned following strong public protests. Two more assemblies were convened later—one in 2014 against a court order banning animal sacrifice, and another in 2021 in protest of restrictions on divine gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maheshwar Singh, chhadibardar (chief custodian) of Lord Raghunath, said the gods had long been calling for this assembly, foreseeing impending disasters. He added that recent calamities in Himachal Pradesh had prompted Goddess Hadimba to summon the gathering. He also noted that the abandonment of cows, regarded as sacred, had further angered the deities. “To calm their wrath,” he said, “the gods have ordered a yajna (ritual sacrifice) to be held first at Jagati Patt and later at Dhalpur.”
Deities from across the region, including Ardhnarishwar, Neelkanth Mahadev, and King Ghepan of Lahaul, declared that Lord Shiva was deeply displeased. A representative deity from Mandi, attending the event for the first time, expressed awe at the grandeur of the assembly and vowed to participate in future gatherings as directed by the divine. Notably, a 12-year-old priest from Doubleu village in the Snowar Valley also took part in the Jagti.