Devta Sangli – History, Legends, and Worship
🕉️ Sangli Dev – History, Legends, and Worship
🌟 Introduction
India is a land of thousands of deities, kuldevtas, and local guardians that have been worshiped for centuries. While the Vedic gods like Shiva, Vishnu, and Durga dominate mainstream worship, every region of India has its own gram devtas (village deities) and kul devtas (ancestral deities). These local gods are deeply rooted in history, folklore, and cultural memory, often connected with ancient dynasties, sages, and mythological figures.
Among such revered deities, Devta Sangli, also called Baba Sangli, Raja Sangli, Sangli Dev, Sangli Maharaj, holds a very important place in the hearts of people in Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. He is worshiped as a Kuldevta (family deity) in many Pahari (mountain) families and remembered as a divine protector, warrior, and great devotee of Maa Kali and Vaishno Devi.
The story of Devta Sangli is not just about religion—it is also about heritage, history, and culture of the Nag Vansh (serpent lineage) and Pahari Rajputs. His legends connect us to the stories of Raja Sankhpal, Raja Vasuki, and Raja Salban of Sialkot.
This blog will cover the complete history, legends, temples, and cultural significance of Devta Sangli, bringing together folklore and history in one place.
🐍 Origins: Kshatriya Nag Vansh and Dev Vansh
The history of Devta Sangli cannot be understood without exploring the roots of Kshatriya Nag Vansh (serpent lineage).
- According to Hindu scriptures, Maharishi Kashyap married Kadru, from whom the Nag Vansh was born.
- From this lineage came famous serpent deities like Vasuki, Sheshnag, Takshak, and others.
- Vasuki Nag Dev became the symbol of devotion to Lord Shiva. He is often depicted coiled around the neck of Shiva as his ornament.
- Sheshnag on the other hand, became the great devotee of Lord Vishnu, serving as his bed in Kshir Sagar (cosmic ocean).
The Nag Vansh did not just exist in mythology. In many parts of North India, especially Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, people still trace their ancestry to Kshatriya Nag Vanshi kings.
Vasuki Nag and Raja Sankhpal
Among the descendants of Vasuki Nag was Raja Sankhpal. He is remembered in the Vedic Nav Nag Stotra, and his presence is seen across Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts.
Raja Sankhpal was a great ruler of the mountains and a protector of people. He is still worshiped in several temples across Reasi, Udhampur, Ramban (Jammu region).
It is believed that Raja Sankhpal had 22 brothers, and among his descendants was Raja Devta Sangli.
- Devta sangli is son of raja sankhpl
👑 Raja Devta Sangli – The Great Warrior and Devotee
Identity and Forms
Devta Sangli is worshiped in many forms:
- As a King (Raja Sangli)
- As a Devta (Sangli Dev)
- As a Bhairav (fierce form of Shiva)
- As a Brahmachari (celibate sage)
- As a nag devta ( devta sangli nag)
Like Lord Hanuman, Devta Sangli is remembered as a celibate warrior-devotee who devoted his entire life to dharma, devotion, and protection of his people.
Connection with Maa Kali and Vaishno Devi
Folklore says Devta Sangli was a supreme devotee of Maa Kali and Vaishno Devi. He regularly visited the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, offering prayers and receiving blessings. Even today, his followers invoke both Maa Vaishno Devi and Devta Sangli together during rituals.
🏯 Temples and Worship of Devta Sangli
Devta Sangli is primarily worshiped in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Major Worship Sites:
- Sanglot, Reasi District (J&K) – A very famous temple dedicated to Devta Sangli exists here. It is believed to be one of the earliest sites of his worship.
- Reasi Udhampur and Ramban – Families worship him as their Kuldevta.
- Hills of Jammu – Many hilltop temples dedicated to Devta Sangli exist, where devotees gather during local festivals.
- Sangli Kot – Another ancient site connected with him.
Even today, Pahari families keep an altar for their Kuldevta, where Devta Sangli is invoked during marriages, new beginnings, and other rituals.
⚔️ The Legend of Raja Salban and Devta Sangli
One of the most fascinating legends about Devta Sangli involves his conflict with Raja Salban of Sialkot belong to shree krishan vansh.
Story of Raja Salban
- Raja Salban was a great ruler of Sialkot (Pakistan) around 2000 years ago.
- He belonged to the Bhatti Rajput clan (yaduvansh) , son of Raja Gaj who ruled Afghanistan.
- He had two queens – Rani Ishra (from Jamwal family of Jammu) and Rani Loona (a washerwoman’s daughter).
- From Rani Ishra came the great devotee Puran Bhagat, while from Rani Loona came Raja Rasalu.
Clash with Devta Sangli
- Raja Salban fled from Sialkot after invasions by Huns/Shakas and moved to Reasi, Jammu.
- There, he decided to build a grand palace on Sanglot hill.
- But the place was already a sacred site of Devta Sangli.
- When Salban began construction, Devta Sangli appeared (in Nag form) and warned him to stop.
- Salban ignored the warning.
- A fierce battle took place between Raja Salban and Devta Sangli.
- With the blessings of Maa Kali, Devta Sangli defeated Salban, turning the king, queens, soldiers, and attendants into stone.
Even today, people claim that stones around the Sanglot hill are remains of that battle.
🧬 Lineage and Descendants
- Devta granted the gift of death to one lineage and gave a promise – I shall always protect your dynasty, and you shall forever continue my meditation and recitation.”
- After this battle, one lineage survived, which is today remembered as Nagyal,Nayal, Nangyal, or Nanyal.
- This clan is still found across Jammu, Himachal, uttrakhand and parts of Pakistan.
- This clan is still found across Jammu, Himachal, uttrakhand and parts of Pakistan within Brahmins prohit, Rajput, Jatt , muslim Rajput, chouhan,Naag Rajput, phari rajput and other caste.
- Now this clan worship Devta sangli as kuldevta or as Naag devta.
- Devta sangli also worship as gram devta.
The Question of a Son – Raja Devta Kalura
Some folk stories suggest Devta Sangli had a son named Raja Kalura, who rode a black horse and fought alongside his father.
However, mainstream belief is that Devta Sangli was a brahmachari (celibate) like Hanuman.
One story says:
- Devta Sangli, while traveling through Rajouri, dropped a flower while bathing.
- A unmarried Gujjari woman smelled the flower and became pregnant.
- The child born was Raja Kalura.
This duality of legend makes Devta Sangli’s history even more fascinating.
🕉️ Religious and Cultural Importance
- Kuldevta Tradition – Devta Sangli is worshiped as Kuldevta by many Rajput and Pahari families.
- Protector of Dharma – His stories emphasize protection of sacred land and devotion to the goddess.
- Integration of Folk and Vedic Religion – His worship blends local Nag cults with mainstream Hinduism.
- Link to Rajput History – His story connects to the Bhatti Rajputs and kings like Raja Salban and Raja Rasalu.
- Unity of Communities – Devta Sangli is worshiped not only by Hindus but also respected by communities of Jammu hills irrespective of caste.
📖 Folklore in Literature
- Devta Sangli and his lineage appear in oral traditions, folk songs, and ballads of Jammu hills.
- His name is invoked in rituals of Navnag worship.
- Stories of Raja Salban, Puran Bhagat, and Raja Rasalu often intersect with Devta Sangli’s tales.
🌍 Comparison with Other Regional Deities
- Like Hadimba Devi (Himachal), Devta Sangli represents a blend of local hero-worship and divine recognition.
- Like Lord Hanuman, he is remembered as a brahmachari warrior-devotee.
- Like Bhadrakali and Bhairav, he holds fierce protective powers.
🛕 Festivals and Rituals
- Devta Sangli’s main pujas are done during:
- Navratras (both Chaitra and Sharad)
- Local Melas (fairs) in Reasi and Udhampur
- Family ceremonies like marriages and mundans.
Offerings usually include:
- Flowers
- Dhoop (incense)
- Coconut
- Local sweets
- Animal sacrifice (in ancient times, but now largely discontinued).
✨ Conclusion
Devta Sangli’s story is a mixture of history, mythology, and folklore.
He is:
- A descendant of Nag Vansh
- A kuldevta of many Pahari families
- A warrior-devotee of Maa Kali and Vaishno Devi
- A protector of dharma and sacred lands
Even today, his temples stand as a testimony of the living faith of people in Jammu and surrounding regions. His worship continues to remind us of the deep connections between myth and history, kings and gods, and local traditions with mainstream religion.
Jai Devta Sangli Maharaj Ki 🚩
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