Lalit Gupta
All over the world natural caves and grottos have remained a source of attraction for human beings since hoary past. It was for their womb-like dark interiors evoking a sense of mystery as well as protection that the pre-historic man used caves as sites for enacting magical and secret rites related to animistic spirit worship etc, which incidentally were also first religious expression of the early man.
In India, caves have long been regarded as places of sanctity. Caves that were enlarged or entirely man-made were felt to hold the same sanctity as natural caves. In fact, the sanctuary in all Indian religious structures, even free standing ones, retain the same cave-like feeling of sacredness, being small and dark without natural light.
Though India boasts of two thousand years old tradition of man-made Buddhist and Hindu cave temples, nevertheless the natural caves have always enjoyed great sacred importance especially in those areas in India where man-made rock-cut temples are found in less numbers.
Our state of Jammu and Kashmir also boasts of many such sacred natural caves. Some of these characteristic holy places visited by millions of devotees have emerged today as major centers of pilgrimage tourism. Along with world famous cave shrines of Amarnath ji in Kashmir, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Shivkhori are other famous cave shrines in Jammu region that have emerged as an important pilgrimage centres in present times.
Shiv Khori is one of the most venerated cave shrines of Lord Shiva in the region. Located in Ransoo, village in Pouni block in Reasi district of Jammu division, the Shiva’s cave of Shiv Khori, which attracts lakhs of devotees annually, is situated in between the hillocks about 140 kilometers north of Jammu, 120 kilometers from Udhampur and 80 kilometers from Katra. Buses and light vehicles go up to Ransoo, the base camp of pilgrimage. People have to traverse about 3 km on foot on a track recently constructed by the Shiv Khori Shrine Board, Ransoo.
Every year on Maha Shivaratri, melas and congregations are held in all parts of Jammu regions. But the three-day Shiv Khori mela held here on the occasion holds special significance for devotees who from different parts of the state and outside visit the holy cave shrine to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. The Maha Shivratri festival is to be held on 10th March this year.
This holy natural cave is about 200 meters long, one meter wide and two to three meters high and contains a self made lingam, which according to the people is unending. The first entrance of the cave is so wide that 300 devotees can be accommodated at a time. Its cavern is spacious to accommodate large number of people. The cave is full of natural impression and images of various Hindu deities.That is why Shivkhori is known as “Home of Gods”.
The inner chamber of the cave is smaller. The passage from outer to the inner chamber is low and narrow which at one spot divides itself into two parts. According to local legends, one of these passages is believed to have led to Kashmir where Swami Amarnarth ji cave is located. It is now closed as some Sadhus who dared to go ahead reportedly never returned.
To reach the main inner shrine one has to stoop low, crawl or adjust his body sideward. Inside a naturally created image of Lord Shiva about four meters high, is visible. The cave abounds with a number of other natural objects having resemblance with Goddess Parvati, Ganesha and Nandigan. The cave roof is etched with snake formations, the water trickles through these on Shiva Lingam. Pigeons are also seen here like Swami Amar Nath cave which presents good omen for pilgrims.
Legend: A number of legends stand propounded about the discovery of this holy cave. One of the most important legends among them is that a demon named Bhasmasur after a long meditation of Lord Shiva, obtained blessing to end the life of any one with that blessing. After obtaining it, the said devil dared to end the Lord Shiva. On seeing his evil designs, Lord Shiva entered this cave which is presently known as Shiv Khori. After this, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini came forward and asked the demon to dance with her according to her tune. As and when the demon started dancing following the steps of Mohini, he took his hand at his head and with his own power, he was himself destroyed. As per the legend, 33 crores deities exist in this cave in shape of pindis and natural milky water is falling on them from the top of the cave.
As per the other legend the historic Shiv Khori cave is believed to be discovered by a Muslim shepherd who in search of his missing goat by chance went inside the cave. However, he was startled to see a number of saints inside the cave. Impressed by Lord Shiva’s divine power, he too started pooja there. Later on, the shepherd disclosed the secret of the holy cave to other people in spite of his promise made with the saints not to tell anybody about the cave.
According to the legends the cave has been a favorite spot for a number of famous saints who had spent decades inside this cave for spiritual attainment and meditation.
About 40 to 50 year ago, only a few people knew about the Shiv Khori shrine but it has gained much popularity during recent years. In earlier times, the number of yatries was just in thousands but after the constitution of Shiv Khori Shrine Board during December 2003, the number of devotees has multiplied and crossed more than six lakhs. This year it is expected to cross seven lakh tourists.
Thirty percent devotees reach the shrine from within the state and seventy percent from different states of the country like Punajb, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., MP, Bihar, Gujrat and Rajasthan etc.
Every year on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, a three-day Shiv Khori mela takes places here on and thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the state and outside visit this cave shrine to seek blessings of Lord Shiva.
The Maha Shivratri festival is to be held on 10th March this year. Keeping in view the increasing rush of pilgrims to the holy cave shrine, the Shiv Khori Shrine Board has taken up a number of steps. These include Shrine Guest House at village Ransoo, the base camp of yatra, Reception Centre and Pony shed, tile work of entire 3-km long track, plantation of ornamental and medicinal plants on track and development of parks etc. Other arrangements like electrification of the cave with modern techniques, provision of oxygen and electric generators, exhaust fans, construction of shelter sheds for yatris with toilet facilities near the cave site, 15 shelter sheds en route Ransoo to cave shrine, railing from the base camp to cave, additional facility of water reservoir, proper sanitation, provision of high power electric transformer, clock room, permanent bus services from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu, police post and Public Health Centre and mobile towers for easy communication are also put into action.
To meet the ever growing rush of devotees in having smooth darshans of the Lord Shiva, an exit tunnel has already been constructed by the Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board. More facilities have also been created since the management and development of the Shiv Khori has been taken over by Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board who is looking after VaishnoDevi pilgrimage.
The route from Jammu to Shiv Khori is full of beautiful and picturesque mountains, waterfalls and lakes. Once as a pilgrim leaves Katra, the base camp of revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave shrine, a number of other famous religious and scenes spots awaits him or her en route to Shiv Khori. These include Agharjitto, Naupindian, Baba Dhansar, Reasi, Bhimgarh Fort, Baba Banda Bahadur and Siar Baba and thus making the pilgrimage to Shiv Khori as a memorable experience.
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