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ज्वालामुखी मंदिर हिमाचल प्रदेश के काँगड़ा जिले में नेकेड खड्ड के तट पर कसेटी नाम का एक छोटा सा गांव स्थित है।

जय बाबा धुंन्धेशवर महादेव, कांगडा जिसका संबंध भी शिव की एक दिव्य शक्ति से है। 

जीवन में किसी भी प्रकार की बाधा हो, महादेव के दर्शन मात्र से वो सारी बाधाएं दूर हो जाती हैं. देवों के देव-महादेव अपने भक्तों के दुखों के साथ काल को भी हर लेते हैं और मोक्ष का वरदान देते हैं, इस मंदिर की मान्यता है कि जो भी भक्त सच्चे मन से आता है, उसकी हर मनोकामना पूरी होती है। चाहे ग्रहों की बाधा हो या फिर कुछ और, मृत्युंजय महादेव के मंदिर में दर्शन कर सवा-लाख मृत्युंजय महामंत्र के जाप से सारे कष्टों का निवारण हो जाता है और यदि कोई भक्त लगातार 16 सोमवार यहां हाजिरी लगाए और त्रिलोचन के इस रूप को माला फूल के साथ दूध और जल चढ़ाए तो उसके जीवन के कष्टों का निवारण क्षण भर में हो जाता है. बहुत समय पहले की बात है कसेटी गांव प्रेम सिंह नाम का एक किसान था उसके पास बहुत खेत थे वो अपने खेतो में बहुत ही मेहनत से काम करता था। उस के दो बेटे थे। बड़े बेटे का नाम वीर सिंह और छोटे बेटे का नाम दूलो राम सिंह है। प्रेम सिंह पास बहुत सारे जानवर भी थे, प्रेम सिंह को अपने जानवरों से बहुत प्यार था इसलिए उसने अपने घर में बहुत सारी गाय और भैंस पाल रखी थीं।

वो अपने खेत में और दूध बेचकर वह अपना जीवन व्यतीत करता था। प्रेम सिंह के घर से नेकेड खड्ड 2 किलोमीटर की दूरी पर स्थित है। हर रोज वो अपनी गाय और भैंस चराने के लिए नेकेड खड्ड ले जाया करते थे। कहा जाता है कि नेकेड खड्ड के किनारे एक बड़ी चट्टान के ऊपर एक पत्थर था और प्रेम सिंह की गाय हर रोज सुबह और शाम जाकर इस पत्थर पर दूध चढाती थी और जब गाय दूध चढाती थी तो उसके चारों ओर धुंध - सी छा जाती थी, एक दिन गाय को कुछ लोगो ने ऎसा करते देख लिया और वे लोग इस पत्थर के पास गए, वहाँ जाकर देखा की वो पत्थर नहीं है वो तो एक शिवलिंग है। लोगों ने आपस मे एक - दूसरे से बातचीत करके ये निर्णय लिया क्यों ना इस शिवलिंग को अपने गाँव ले लिया जाये, सभी लोगो ने माथा टेका और वो लोगो उस शिवलिंग को अपने गांव (मानगढ़) में ले की तैयारी करने लगे। उन लोगो ने एक पालकी तैयार की ओर शिवलिंग को ले जाने लगे, जैसे-जैसे उन लोगों ने 2 किलोमीटर की दूरी तय कर ली फिर जैसे-2 अपना कदम बढ़ाने लगे तो शिवलिंग का भार बढ़ने लगा, भार ना संभालने के कारण लोगो ने शिवलिंग को भूमि पर रख दिया और विश्राम करने लगे।

विश्राम करने के बाद वो लोग शिवलिंग को उठाने का काफी प्रयास करते रहे, लेकिन असफल रहे। तभी उनका एक रूप यहां प्रकट हुआ, इस बाद में इसी स्थान पर मंदिर का निर्माण करवाया गया। तब से लेकर आज तक होली के 5 दिन पहले प्रेम सिंह अपने घर सभी गाँव के लोगो को निमंत्रण दे कर भोजन करवाते थे। प्रेम सिंह की मृत्यु होने के बाद अब ये रीत उनके दोनों बेटे निभाते आ रहे है। मंदिर का मुख्य द्वार काफी सुंदर एव भव्य है। जय बाबा धुंन्धेशवर महादेव के पास ही में 9 कि॰मी॰ की दूरी पर ज्वालाजी माता का मंदिर है। यहां हर साल होली, महाशिवरात्रि और सावन आदि में भोले के भक्तों की भारी भीड उमड पडती है। 16.8 कि॰मी॰ कि दूरी पर बगलामुखी का मंदिर है। यहां हर साल होली, महाशिवरात्रि, होली ,जन्माष्टमी ,नवरात्रि और सावन आदि में भोले के भक्तों की भारी भीड उमड पडती है। जय बाबा धुंन्धेशवर महादेव में महाशिवरात्रि के समय में विशाल मेले का आयोजन किया जाता है।

साल के दोनों नवरात्रि यहां पर बडे़ धूमधाम से मनाये जाते है। महाशिवरात्रि में यहां पर आने वाले श्रद्धालुओं की संख्या दोगुनी हो जाती है। इन दिनों में यहां पर विशेष पूजा अर्चना की जाती है। शिव चालीसा का पाठ रखे जाते हैं और वैदिक मंत्रोच्चारण के साथ हवन इत्यादि की जाती है। महाशिवरात्रि और होली में पूरे भारत वर्ष से श्रद्धालु यहां पर आकर देव की कृपा प्राप्त करते है। कुछ लोग देव के लिए लाल रंग के ध्वज भी लाते है। मंदिर में आरती के समय अद्भूत नजारा होता है। मंदिर में 2 बार आरती होती है। एक मंदिर के कपाट खुलते ही सूर्योदय के साथ में की जाती है। दूसरी संध्या को की जाती है। आरती के साथ-साथ महादेव को भोग भी लगाया जाता है। प्रसाद में इन्हें फल व दूध के साथ दही का भोग लगता है. उसे फूलो और सुगंधित सामग्रियों से सजाया जाता है। जिसमें कुछ संख्या में आये श्रद्धालु भाग लेते है।

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Description: Discover the history of churches in India—from St. Thomas in 52 AD to colonial cathedrals to modern congregations. Explore how Christianity arrived, evolved, and diversified across India.

Let me tell you about the moment I realized Christianity in India is older than Christianity in most of Europe.

I was visiting a Syrian Christian church in Kerala. The guide casually mentioned, "This tradition dates to 52 AD when St. Thomas arrived." I did the mental math. That's twenty years after Jesus's death. Before Paul wrote most of his letters. Before the Gospels were written down. Before Peter reached Rome.

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So let me walk you through Christianity's arrival in India, how it evolved through different periods, the major churches and denominations that exist today, and what makes Indian Christianity distinct from Christianity elsewhere.

Because this story started two thousand years ago.

And it's still being written.

The Ancient Beginning: St. Thomas and the First Christians (52 AD)

Early Christianity in India:

The Legend (That Might Be History)

St. Thomas the Apostle: According to tradition, arrived on the Malabar Coast (Kerala) in 52 AD.

The story: Thomas, one of Jesus's twelve disciples (famous for doubting the resurrection), traveled to India following ancient trade routes connecting the Roman Empire to India's spice coast.

Where he went: Landed at Kodungallur (ancient Muziris), preached in Kerala, established seven churches, then traveled to Tamil Nadu (Mylapore, now Chennai).

His death: Martyred in 72 AD near Chennai. St. Thomas Mount and San Thome Basilica mark the sites associated with his ministry and death.

Historical Evidence

Trade routes existed: Roman-Indian trade was extensive in first century. Finding Roman coins and pottery in Kerala confirms this.

Early Christian presence: Historical records from third and fourth centuries reference Indian Christian communities.

Thomas Christians (Nasrani): Ancient community in Kerala that traces its origins to St. Thomas. Maintained distinct identity for centuries.

Syrian connection: Early Indian Christians followed East Syriac liturgy and maintained ties with Church of the East in Persia/Mesopotamia.

Skepticism exists: Some historians question whether Thomas specifically came to India, but evidence of very early Christian presence is solid.

The Seven Churches

Tradition claims Thomas founded seven churches (Ezharappallikal) in Kerala:

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  • Kollam (Quilon)
  • Niranam
  • Nilackal
  • Kokkamangalam
  • Kottakkayal
  • Palayoor

These communities: Maintained their faith for centuries with minimal outside contact, developing unique traditions.

The Middle Period: Syrian Christians and Indigenous Development (300-1500 AD)

Pre-colonial Christianity in India:

Syrian Christian Community

Cultural integration: Christians adopted Indian social structures (caste, dress, customs) while maintaining Christian faith.

High status: Many were high-caste Hindu converts or Jewish traders who became Christian. Maintained social prestige.

Trade networks: Connected to Persian and Middle Eastern Christian communities through maritime trade.

Language: Syriac liturgy, Malayalam vernacular. Scriptures and prayers in Syriac.

Bishops from Persia: Church of the East sent bishops to oversee Indian Christians, maintaining connection to broader Christian world.

The Thomas of Cana Migration (345 AD)

Traditional account: Thomas of Cana (Knai Thoma), a Syrian merchant-bishop, arrived with 72 Christian families from Mesopotamia.

Impact: Strengthened Syrian Christian community, brought clergy and Christian texts.

Northist and Southist division: Created social division in community (Northists - newer arrivals, Southists - older community).

Relative Isolation

Limited European contact: Until Portuguese arrival in 1498, Indian Christians had minimal contact with Western Christianity.

Developed unique practices: Blend of Syriac liturgy, Indian cultural practices, and local traditions.

No Inquisition or persecution: Hindu rulers generally tolerant. Christians existed peacefully as one of many communities.

Distinct identity: By the time Portuguese arrived, these Christians had been Christian longer than most European nations.

The Portuguese Period: Conflict and Conversion (1498-1663)

Colonial Christianity begins:

Vasco da Gama's Arrival (1498)

Portuguese land in Calicut: Seeking spices and Christians (to ally against Muslims).

Encounter Syrian Christians: Shocked to find ancient Christian community that doesn't recognize Pope or follow Roman rites.

Initial cooperation: Portuguese and Syrian Christians initially allied.

The Goa Inquisition (1560-1812)

Portuguese impose authority: Demanded Syrian Christians submit to Rome and adopt Latin rites.

Synod of Diamper (1599): Infamous council where Portuguese forced Syrian Christians to:

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  • Abandon East Syriac liturgy for Latin
  • Burn Syriac texts deemed "heretical"
  • Accept Portuguese bishops

Resistance: Many Syrian Christians resisted. Led to schisms and divisions lasting centuries.

Coonan Cross Oath (1653): Thousands of Syrian Christians swore never to submit to Portuguese again, splitting community.

Result: Division between Catholic Syrian Christians (accepted Roman authority) and Independent Syrian Christians (rejected it).

Portuguese Church Building

Goa: Center of Portuguese Christianity. Old Goa filled with baroque churches.

Basilica of Bom Jesus: Houses St. Francis Xavier's body. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Se Cathedral: One of Asia's largest churches.

Architecture: Baroque, Gothic, Portuguese styles. Ornate, grand, European-influenced.

Conversion efforts: Some voluntary, some coerced. Goa Inquisition persecuted Hindus, Muslims, and non-Catholic Christians.

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