Baba Sodal Mandir – Jalandhar

Baba Sodal Mandir – Jalandhar

Baba Sodal Mandir is a famous temple located in the city of Jalandhar, Punjab, India. The temple is dedicated to Baba Sodal, a child deity revered by the locals as a symbol of compassion and devotion. The temple is believed to be over 100 years old and is a major pilgrimage site for people from all over Punjab.

Sodal Baba had announced himself as a descendant of Chada clan, hence the head of the clan and its members are required to perform special rituals here. It is believed that the families of those who worship here, will find happiness.

The temple is situated on the banks of the Devi Talab, a holy pond said to have been created by the gods themselves. The temple’s architecture is a mix of Hindu and Sikh styles, and it features beautiful murals and carvings that depict scenes from Baba Sodal’s life.

A Cobra idol is worshipped at the spot where Baba Sodal is said to have immersed. Baba Sodal is said to have taken the form of a Cobra thereafter. The children are given a dip in the pond.

Legend

The legend regarding the shrine says that once a woman went to the pond to wash her clothes along with her son. Losing her temper at the boy who refused to listen to her, she yelled ‘Have you come here to die? Go and drown yourself in the pond’. On hearing this the boy asked his mother to repeat her words three times, after which he jumped into the pond. It is said that the child then appeared in the form of holy snake and declared his farewell from the world. It is believed that the incident took place at the current premises of Sodal temple. Since then, devotees visit the temple every year to seek the divine blessings of Baba Sodal.

The Fair of Baba Sodal marks the day when the child incarnation of Baba Sodal died. Men and women come in large numbers to make an offering at the smadhi of Babaji on the day of the fair. People also take a holy bath in a tank described as the ‘Baba Sodal da Sarovar’.