Mrinalini Atrey

mrinalini.atrey@gmail.com

Nestled on the historic Dhounthali Dakki near the banks of the Tawi River, the Balram Ji Temple-also known locally as Baldev Ji or Dau Ji Temple-is a rare and revered site in Jammu’s spiritual and architectural landscape. During my fieldwork across the old city’s winding lanes and heritage sites, I have often found myself drawn to this Temple, which holds a unique place in India’s religious cartography: it is one of only two temples in the country dedicated to Lord Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, the other being in Mathura-Vrindavan.

What makes this temple exceptional is its celebration of Balram Ji alongside his consort, Revati, a rare iconographic and ritual pairing. Local lore holds that tying a Rakhi on Balram Ji’s arm brings bles

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