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Sanskrit: ज्वालामालिनी jvālāmālinī "one wears a garland of bright flame" ('Jvālā' refers to the glow of fire, 'mālinī' implies one of bears the garlands).
According to Digambara tradition Jwalamalini is the Yakshini of the 8th Tirthankara Chandraprabha; her male companion is Yaksha Shyama. Jwalamalini was one of the most widely invoked Yakshinis in Karnataka during the early medieval period. In Shvetambara tradition the name of the Yakshini attending Chandraprabha is Bhrikuti (Bhṛkuṭi).
- Jwalamalini is associated with the powers of mantras and yantras. Jain literature recognize her as Vahni Devi or the fire goddess. She appears in various Puranas, e.g. the Vayu Purana associates her with Shiva, the Brahmanda purana and the Matsya purana associate her with Shakti.
- Her iconic forms depict her with flames issuing forth from her head. She is also described as adorned with rising flames of fire. Additionally, she carries a chakra, trishula, pennant with fish ensign, bow and arrow, 'pasa' rope, fruit and vara mudhra. She wear a crown with burning flames.
- Jain scriptures narrate that she attained such an exalted position by fasting on Fridays of the Tamil month 'Adi' (i.e. Ashada of North Indian calendars). In South India Jain women take her example and undertake fasting on the Fridays of Tamil month Adi.
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Jwalamalini | Idol of Jwalamalini at Leppada Basadi, Mudabidri |