“Bollywood is a different ...... Page-44 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Sweet Dogri Poetry for Kids.....Page-33 Holy cave of Lalit Gupta

There is a hoary practice to celebrate religious festivals at sacred places. Be it a river or confluence of rivers, lakes, water bodies, temples on mountain tops or shrines in natural caves etc. Such journeys labeled as pilgrimages offer break from routine of everyday business of life and home and also opportunity to travel long distances. Peoples' visits to such sites are often associated with miraculous capacities to grant boons, such as health, wealth, progeny, and deliverance after death etc. In and Kashmir, the pan-Indian practice of celebrating religious festivals at sacred sites scattered in every nook and corner is a commonplace fact of the religious and spiritual life.

Holy Cave of Shiv Khori: The holy cave of Shiv Khori, due to its mythological association with Lord , is one such sacred spot which situated in the lap of Sanger hills of Ransoo area in Pouni block of the district, after Amarnath in Kashmir, the second holiest Shaiva cave in the State. Here on day of , a three-day mela is held every year. Lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of the state and other destinations from other states come to vis- PILGRIMS PROGRESS : People thronging the holy Shiv Khori Shrine it the shrine for Shiva's blessings. The devotees particular- The Cave Shrine: Located in Ransoo, Shiv Khori, khori is known as 'Devlok'. This big chamber also has a nar- and electric generators, exhaust fans, construction of shel- ly consider this period holy for offering prayers and worship- is 140 kilometers north of Jammu, 120 kilometers from row passage going in one direction which is believed to be ter sheds for yatris with toilet facilities near the cave site, ing the natural lingam. Maha Shivaratri festival is to be held Udhampur and 80 kilometers from Katra. Buses and light going led to Kashmir where Swami Amarnath ji cave is locat- shelter sheds en route Ransoo to the cave shrine, railing on 17 February this year. vehicles go up to Ransoo, the base camp of pilgrimage. ed. The passage is now closed as some who dared from the base camp to cave, additional facility of water reser- Legend: According to popular legend, the origin of People have to traverse about 3.5 km on foot on a track to go forward on this way reportedly never returned. voir, proper sanitation, provision of high power electric trans- Shiv Khori is linked to Rakshasha Bhasmasur. It is said that recently constructed by the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board. Presently a special exit gate, similar to Shri Mata the former, clock room, permanent bus services from Katra, Bhasmasur meditated Lord Shiva for a long period. Pleased This holy natural cave is about 300 meters long which cave, has been carved out created for the Udhampur and Jammu, police post and Public Health Cen- with his devotion Lord decided to grant him a boon. Bhas- is entered through 15 feet wide and 20 feet high opening. easy egress of devotees who are coming in large numbers. tre and mobile towers for easy communication are also masur said "Lord, please grant me the boon that whichev- Pigeons are also seen perching at the entrance, here like Pilgrimage: The visitors proceed to Shiv Khori stand completed. er person, place or thing I place my right hand on is reduced the Swami Amar Nath cave, which presents good omen for throughout the year but rush is noticed on full moon and Despite the good work already done under the patron- to ashes". Lord Shiva granted him the boon. But the wicked pilgrims. other sacred days. Devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno from age of SSKSB, there are certain aspects which need imme- Bhasmasur decided to test it on Lord Shiva so that he could Beyond the entrance, where the samadhi of Mahant Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., MP, Bihar, Gujrat and diate attention. For instance the stones rolling down from marry goddess and thus win the universe. A battle Ramesh Giri now greets the Rajasthan etc., also make it a overhanging rocks near the very entrance of Shiv Khori between Lord Shiva and Bhasmasur took place at Ransoo visitors, the cave becomes point to visit Shiv Khori Shrine. cave, which have already caused injuries to many pilgrims, Local families from surround- pose a grave threat to the security of pilgrims along with which literally means a battle field. Lord Shiva along with narrow and low and after few SHIVRATRI SPECIAL ing areas also come here to police personal and employee of shrine boards stationed Parvati entered the Shiv Khori cave and closed the cave meters of curvaceous slit like path, which again opens up into a large chamber. To cross pay obeisance after a happy occasion like mundan or mar- there. Furthermore Yatris while awaiting their turn to enter from inside. Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu seeing Shiva's plight, this narrow stretch one has to stoop low, crawl or adjust riage ceremony. They often arrive in a procession and dance the holy cave, have to stand in open during rains and hot disguised himself as Goddess Parvati and appeared before body sideward. There is deficiency of oxygen inside the to the tunes of accompanying a band of musicians. sun as there is no shed or covering. Bhasmasur and offered to marry him provided he performs cave. During heavy rush or from sheer excitement of the About 40 to 50 year ago, only a few people knew about On basis of firsthand experience, the dilapidated condi- the dance to please Her. When Bhasmasur said that he did unique experience, some may feel a temporary sense of the Shiv Khori shrine but it has gained much popularity dur- tion of stairs near the cave entrance, non functional toilet not how to dance, Parvati told him follow her dance steps. suffocation inside the cave. But with help of holds and grips ing recent years. In earlier times, the number of yatris was units, absence of regular medical assistance in case emer- During the performance of dance Parvati put hand on her in the rock walls, devotees develop a kind of rhythm of steps just in thousands but after the constitution of Shiv Khori gencies at the shrine, are some of the telling signs of lack head and as soon as the foolish demon following her and cover this distance of few meters by concentrating on Shrine Board during December 2003, and Shiv Khori of proper monitoring apparatus as well as continuous main- touched his head, he was reduced to ashes. Lord Shiva and chanting Shiva Slogans. emerging as pilgrimage tourism destination, with many pil- tenance of facilities. With the result one finds non-function- As per another oral tradition popular among local popu- One forgets all the hardship, after the reaching the large grims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi making it a point to visit, ing water points and street lights causing great inconven- lation, the Shiv Khori cave is believed to have been discov- chamber, the sanctum sanctorum which is full of natural the number of devotees has multiplied and crossed more ience for the pilgrims. ered by a Muslim shepherd who in search of his missing impressions, shapes and images of various Hindu deities. than six lakhs. This year it is expected to cross seven lakh It is hoped that very soon proper facilities on the lines of goat by chance went inside the cave. However, he was star- These include a naturally created large image of Lord Shi- tourists. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, will also be ensured round the clock tled to see a number of saints inside the cave. Impressed va. There are also images of Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Keeping in view the increasing rush of pilgrims to holy at holy Shiv Khori, so that the pilgrimage to this second by Lord Shiva's divine power, he too developed respect for Kartikeya, Nandigan and other devtas in the shape of small cave shrine, the Shiv Khori Shrine Board has taken up a important Shaiva cave after Shri Aamrnath ji, becomes a the spot. Later on, the shepherd disclosed the secret of the Pindis. The cave roof is etched with large snake formations, number of steps. These includes Shrine Guest House at vil- much sought after sacred destination. The route from Jam- holy cave to other people in spite of his promise made with from where the water trickles down and falls on the Shiva lage Ransoo, the base camp of yatra, Reception Centre mu to Shiv Khori is full of picturesque and spots of religious the saints not to tell anybody about the cave. According to Lingam. There are other images held on the rock such as and Pony shed, tile work of entire 3-km long track, planta- importance. These include Agharjitto, Naupindian, Baba the legends the cave has been a favorite spot for a number Om, Sheshnag etc. There are other idols of Mahakali, tion of ornamental and medicinal plants on track and devel- Dhansar, Reasi, Bhimgarh Fort, Baba Banda Bahadur and of famous saints who had spent decades inside this cave Saraswati and Pandavas also. These images are natural. opment of parks etc. Other arrangements like electrification Siar Baba and thus making the pilgrimage to Shiv Khori as for spiritual attainment and meditation. The devotees enjoy the eternal peace. That is why Shiv- of the cave with modern techniques, provision of oxygen a memorable experience. Peer Kho Cave Temple The Shrine of the Peer Kho Temple is one of the old round domed entrance ownership of the temple. ( Shri Mata Chandra Ghanta Devi, Shri Mata Sakandanatha temples of 'the City of Temples'. A large number of devo- leading to the caves is Buddha Amarnath in Jammu Devi, Shri Mata Kushamandra Devi , Shri Mata Katyani tees throng it on Puranmashi, Amavasya and Ekadashi. embellished with beautiful ) Devi, Shri Mata Kalarathri Devi, Shri Mata Maha Devi, Shri The important festivals held here are Shivratri, Purnima later Mughal or Dogra style The round domed Mata Siddi Devi. There is separate passage for entry and amd Shravan Puranmashi or Raksha Bandhan. The lingam paintings on the ceiling and entrance leads to a small exit of the Cave which is excavated into an igneous rock is located inside a small but peaceful cave embellished with with floral motifs in the cen- opening to a low-level pas- which is twenty feets below the level of the temple. The white marble rectangular platform. The black stone lingam tre of the dome. The pillared sage and bifurcates into the peaceful, calm and serene place is suitable for spiritual is decorated with a copper snake or Naga and a Silver arched niches on the periph- Amar Nath Guffa cave on the attainment. The temple courtyard has a Tulsi plant pedestal sheet covers the Jallari or Yoni, topped by a copper ves- ery of wall and ceiling paint- right side. The low ceiling in the premises, which also indicates fine reflection of the sel hanging to pour water continuously on the lingam. The ed with Dogra style painting channel further leads to Shi- Dogra style of architecture found in Ram Nagar palace at lower part of the body of the lingam and other features are is similar to the motifs of va shrine or the Amar Nath Ram Nagar and at Zorawar Singh Residence cum Palace similar to the shrine of Purmandal temple complex and Ram Nagar Palace complex Cave Siva Temple known as Complex of Vijaypur in Reasi. probably belong to the same period of early Dogra regime. in Udhampur District of Jam- Jamvant Cave after one of The unique feature of the temple is the Ghoraknath eter- The Peer Kho Temple and Peer Mitha are two old temples mu province. The colour the heroes of the famous nal Dhunni or continuous smoke-emitting shrine in the cen- located in the city of temples. During the reign of Raja Ajaib scheme and the style of Indian Epic of the tre of the temple. There is small Samadhi of Shri Peer Shiv Dev, for the Saint Siddha Ghareeb Nath entitled Peer, the paintings prove that the Ramayana. There is another Nath as his memorial just opposite the main entrance from temple was built in 15th century A.D according to the uncon- paintings belong to the mid small opening on the left side Peer Kho Mohalla Side. On the right side of the main firmed historical records. The two caves are twenty to thir- 19th century of Jammu which goes further down- entrance, there is a small shrine of Shani Devata. The white ty feet below the ground level. The Peer Kho cave temple school of painting with wards to the Nav Durga metal standing image of Lord Shani is placed on a square has a lot of reverence among the local people of the old emphasis on the indigo shrine. It a long grilled tem- platform worshipped by the local people in large numbers city. ( Historical Temples of Kashmir ) colour. ple decorated with life size on every Saturday. The temple located on the riverbank The shrine of Lord Shiva also known as Jamvant cave The other rectangular idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lord provides fresh air and beautiful scenery to the visitors. belongs to an old historic spot. It is located amidst igneous shikharas on either side with Vishnu and other gods and There are many handicrafts and handlooms shops with a variety of crafted souvenirs for the visitors who happen to rocks topped by the sedimentary deposit of the River and brass finials are of recent goddesses. The narrow visit the temple daily on the dead end road of the Peer Kho acacia jungle in Northeast of Jammu city on the side of cir- origin. There is a Devi tem- means of access further Mohalla. The whole temple has been built on a high-ele- ple built on the right side of extends in a winding manner cular road above the terrace of Tawi River. vated artificial platform to prevent the flooding of the water it in the corner of courtyard. The pink, high arched gateway with a white marble stair to a large covered courtyard of the Tawi River in the rainy season. ( Machail Yatra ) The It has a white marble minia- with a railing leads to the temple complex and into a long and further down extends temple requires more area for parking. The white marble ture temple shrine embel- verandah, with marble and mosaic flooring, which opens into another small opening to staircase requires to made unslippery by roughing the mar- to another entrance on the opposite side from the Pacca lished with beautiful image the Nau Devi's Guffa or Nine ble steps otherwise it is dangerous to use in the rainy sea- Danga via Jullaka Mohalla. The courtyard is flanked by of a goddess in a glass cas- Devi's Cave shrine. The long son. The proper signage at the Circular Road needs three shikhara on the left side with two of them modern and ing. On right side, there is a platform with statues of nine improvement for easy access to the temple. The temple one ancient. The low round ribbed Gumband or dome is series of rooms which serve Goddesses in attractive red also requires some benches for the devotees to take some merged with the modern structure with stone finial and an as the residential quarters robes is a wonderful view to rest after visiting the temple. The viewing points on the inverted lotus. This serves as the entrance to the cave for the staff of the temple. (This year a three day Shivratri Festival is being behold in a cave shrine. Western side of the temple need to refurished with proper shrines further cut into the boulder conglomerate deposit The present Mahant of the organised by Directorate of Tourism, Jammu These Nav Devis namely are sheds and benches so that visitors take rest and enjoy the of the River Tawi, which were formed due to the succes- temple is Peer Rattan Nath Shri Mata Shella Puri Devi, beautiful scenery of the River and beyond. who holds the Gadhi or the sive flooding, and receding of water for centuries. The from 15th to 18th February) Shri Mata Bhadrachani Devi, Courtesy : http://kashmirparadise.blogspot.com/