| Purmandal | |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Pushpin Map: | India Jammu and Kashmir#India |
| Coordinates: | 32.6958°N 75.0586°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | India |
| Subdivision Type1: | Union Territory |
| Subdivision Name1: | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Samba |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Population Total: | 1,276 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
Purmandal (also called Chhota Kashi) is a village located on the Devika River in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The village and its temples are a pilgrimage site for Hindus, who believe bathing in the river cleanses the soul.[2]
Purmandal is located on the banks of the Devika River in the hills about southeast of Jammu and about northwest of Samba by road via Vijaypur.[3]
Devika runs down from Purmandal to Uttarvehni through village Mandal. Uttarvehni in local language (i.e., Dogri) means flowing towards north. It is one of the rare places where a river flows from south to north. Rameshwaram and Bhuteshawar are ancient temples in Mandal.
Purmandal Temple, dedicated to Parvati, is built on the west bank of the river. A number of other temples are dedicated to Shiva. There is a large haveli (mansion) dating from about 1830, in good condition, and several dharamshalas (rest-houses for pilgrims), mostly severely deteriorated. Many of these structures are decorated with murals dating from between 1813 and 1898.[3] [4]
Buses connect the village to Jammu.[3]
Every month a Mela is organized here. The devotees take a holy dip in the Devak river and seek blessings. There are total 12 Mela in a year. Every Mela has assigned a unique name corresponding to the month, i.e. Chaitra Chaudish, Shivraatri Mela, etc.