"People tend to .... Page 4 SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2021 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/sunday-magazine Healthy mind nourishes....Page 3 Land of Shrines Romesh Mengi the story of his immortality, he left his serpent king, Sheshnag at Anantnag . Shesh Nag came in the human form Cradled in the lap of the Trikuta peaks, in the proximity as Vasudev. One of the sons of Vasudev was Dhansar who of the river Chenab, lies the mystic area of Reasi with the was a saintly person. sacred caves and temples of Lord Shiva. Reasi is famous for As the local belief goes, in the ancient times there was a its striking natural beauty and religious beliefs. Deep inside demon that lived near Karua Jheel and committed atrocities this land, one can find many famous temples, caves which on the people of village Karua. The villagers sought help of make an impact on the visitor, who is left with a sense of Baba Dhansar to get rid of the Demon. It is believed that wonder about the creation of God, enhanced by the effort of Baba Dhansar prayed to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva man. has many historical places that have arrived and helped in killing the Demon. The temple of Baba been beautifully and tastefully crafted and have ever since Dhansar and a cave of Lord Shiva near Karua Jheel has remained the talk of UT and country. There are several caves become a place of worship. and temples in the district which are dedicated to Lord Shiva and hold importance during the religious Festival Kansi Patta (Gupt Kashi) "Maha Shivratri". Lord Shiva is the Supreme form of the It is situated 10kms away from Reasi. The village is Trinity in oneness. Lord Shiva is the most popular Hindu known for its temple dedicated to the god Shiva . The God. He bestows numerous boons upon his devotees. Some ancient name of the village is Gupt Kashi but as the time of the Caves and temples associated with Lord Shiva present passed the name changed from Gupt Kashi to Kansi in the district are : Patta.Its religious importance is considered similar to that Salal Shiv Cave of Kashi of Varanasi , believed to be the most pious of all Shrine of Baba Dhansar Salal Shiv Cave is an ancient Lord Shiva cave Hindu pilgrimage places.The temple is located on the way to which was discovered in 2012 by some local youths the world famous Shiva Shrine and close to on the high mountain near Thanpal in Salal area of famous waterfall of Siar Baba. It has the scenic backdrop of dream who told him to come to Gupt Kashi and build a tem- in present form by Shri Mata Shrine Board. district Reasi. river Chenab and with darshan of Lord Shiva and other ple there .General Zorawar Singh then came to Gupt Kashi As per the local Legend, there was a herdsman grazing The area is tough terrain and nearly 2 hours on foot jour- deities in temple , one gets very good positive vibration and and build Lord Shiva temple there . The priest also said that cows nearby this temple. When cows reached a particular ney along Surman Khad. On one side there is Salal dam and peace of mind.The story behing the place goes like this. the temple has a unique combination of five things which we point , milk began to dribble automatically through their on the other at high mountain this cave.The locals said that Once there was a devil. He worshipped and prayed Lord rarely find together at one place viz banyan tree, peepal tree udders. This was very surprising but herdsman never this cave was inaccessible due to its location but as they used Brahma (the creator) and gained the blessings of Brahma. ,Shiv temple ,cremation ground and pious river Chenab. noticed it. When cows returned to their owners in the to hear some kind of sounds from that area, nobody ever The demon performed penance to Lord Brahma and after Locals come in large number to take holy dip here on evening, many cows did not drip a single dripped and many dared to go that side. A daring youth of the area armed with obtaining boons harassed the virtuous and the learned .The Somvati Amavasya , Shiv Ratri , Baisakhi and others reli- others dropped a tiny quantity of milk. Villagers and land- gun and assisted by 2-3 more youth, managed to reach up to blessing was made according to the devil wish. According to gious days. Locals also perform last rites of their loved ones lords began to blame herdsman for this but he was innocent the cave using ropes and his mountaineering skills. He saw the wish,he asked Brahma to bless him with immortality at this place. in this matter. Now shepherd was vigilant while grazing a Shiva Lingam, stone idols of Shiva family, a statue of Saint along with the wish that he will be killed only in Kashi. with Nandi Parbat Mahadev Cave cows. One day he noticed that milk was pouring on a partic- his long term worship, Brahma was pleased and blessed him ular spot from cow's Udders. Herdsman told the fact to vil- and Hanuman. The cave appears to be almost equal to that This ancient Lord Shiva cave was discovered recently on according to his wish. He became very powerful and strong. lagers. Anxious villagers watched it the next day and decid- of Shiv Khori. After this, the youth returned and told this the high mountain near Shivkhori (Ransoo).The area is The devil then ran away from kashi and settled in a village ed to dig the spot. On an auspicious day and moment, aston- matter to the whole village. The next day, the village tough terrain and nearly one hour foot journey from nearby Reasi which was called GUPT KASHI at that time. ished villagers prayed and started digging the spot. After Sarpanch and some locals started digging track on the rocky Bhamblya village near Kanda. The villagers with their But he was unaware of the original name of the village. He digging villagers saw divine Shiv Linga and its Jalhari. mountain and with in few days they managed to reach there efforts managed to make track up to the cave which is on the was thinking that now no one will kill him in Reasi as he was Seeing this they began to dance and prayed Lord Mahadev and saw the cave. They saw pindis and a big Shiva Lingam. steep rocky mountain. The locals said that this cave was blessed to be killed only in Shiv Bhoomi "KASHI".He start- and named this area as Mahadev. Later on a temple was Pilgrims who visited this cave were astonished to see such a inaccessible due to its location. A ed his evil by troubling locals and the build there and named as Mahadev Mandir Reasi. As per wonderful cave. There are two different routes one via local man namely Swarn Singh Rishis-Munis of Kashi patta and local belief, all this happened on the eve of Baisakhi and Talwara-Siar Baba and Thanpal using boat over Salal dam whose goats got missing and in Reasi. He troubled and destroyed from that time Baisakhi mela is organized in the temple and another one via Reasi-Salal and yet another one via SHIVRATRI SPECIAL search of them the man along with many holy places and started disturb- premises with religious fervor. Bidda-Dhayangarh-dam site. some other locals found this cave Baba Dhansar ing normal life of locals. No one could stop him. He gathered Notwithstanding the blessings of natural beauty, vari- and goats near this cave. He saw a Shiva Lingam, stone idols ous scenic areas of this hilly region are still missing on Out of the many holy places in district Reasi, there exists army and continued his evil deeds. The locals and Rishis of Shiva family, Nag Devta, Kali Mata idol and other idols. tourist map of and Kashmir due to more than a a famous religious place namely Baba Dhansar in Karua found it difficult to tackle him because he became very pow- The cave appears to be almost equal to that of Shiv decade long phase of militancy and lackluster approach of Village that has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva .Karua vil- erful after Brahma blessing. The saints assembled and Khori.The pilgrims visiting this place were astonished to see Government machinery at the helm of affairs. Nonetheless, lage is situated approximately 10km away from Reasi and 14 evoked LORD SHIVA with their woes and told him the harm such a wonderful cave. This new cave is 3 kms away from Religious tourism too plays an important role in the eco- km from Katra. The village is known for its temple dedicat- caused by the devil. Lord Shiva asked the devil to stop his Ransoo base camp of Shiv khori. The locals also named this nomic development of an area and one can spot number of ed to the Lord Shiva and karua Jheel. From village, one has blatant acts or face death. The devil in return said that he cave as Nandi Parvat Mahadev Gufa as the mountain on towering religious sites here in Reasi apart from scenery to step downhill in around 100 steps. The entire walk is dot- was blessed to be killed only in "KASHI" not in any other which cave was discovered looks like Nandi. and nature. A number of places prevail in the Reasi that ted with a number of waterfalls that ultimately join the place. Lord Shiva said you don't know that real name of the Mahadev Aap Shambu Temple Reasi provides brilliant opportunities to explore the natural Banganga River. Near this rivulet, is a naturally formed place is "GUPT KASHI" and he was then killed by beauty, history and spirituality. Needless to say, Reasi is a Shivalingam inside a cave on top of which milky water "SHIVA".The priest also said that there is another story of Mahadev Mandir is a well known religious place in district Land of Shiva Caves and temples and you all are welcome droplets fall continuously throughout the year. As per Locals temple which is linked to General Zorawar Singh. One night Reasi and is revered by all the followers. The temple is said to on this "HOME OF GODS". belief, when Lord Shiva went to the Amarnath cave to tell while sleeping, General Zorawar Singh saw Lord Shiva in his be more than 300 yrs old. The present structure has been built SHIV KHORI MELA Socio-Religious Event

Dr. Banarsi Lal, Dr. Pawan Sharma of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. People pay obeisance at holy cave of Shiv Khori. Shiv Khori Shrine Board makes Shiv Khori is one of the most endevours to make this festival even more popular and also to provide the required facilities to the devotees.Shiv Khori important shrines which is cave has a natural Shiv Lingum. This place signifies the Lord Shiva cave. This cave is 200 metres long; one metre situated in Ransoo village of wide and two to three metres in hight. Around 300 devo- Pouni block in Reasi district of tees can assemble at a time at the entrance of the cave while the inner chamber of the cave is small. The passage from J&K. Ransoo village is located outer to the inner chamber is low and small; at one spot it divides itself into two parts. One of these is believed to have on the Reasi-Rajouri road and led to Kashmir where Swami Amarnath cave is located. It is now closed as it is said that some saints who went ahead is well connected with Katra, never returned back. In order to reach the sanctum sancto- Jammu and many other cities rum, one has to keep low and adjust his/her body accord- ing to the shape of cave. Inside the cave a natural image of of Union Territory of J&K. Lord Shiva is visible. The cave also has a number of other natural objects which resemble with Goddess Parvati, This holy shrine is surrounded by green luscious moun- Ganesha and Nandigan. The cave roof is etched with snake Shiv Khori Shrine Reasi. tains and is about 3.5 kms away from Ransoo village. This formations, the water trickles through these formations on shrine has its own uniqueness and many pilgrims across Shiv Lingam. Pigeons are also seen here like Swami tions the shepherd disclosed the matter to a number of Parvati. During the mela the pilgrims perform the the globe visit this holy spot every year with full enthusi- Amarnath cave which creates interest among the devotees. other people. It is said that after disclosing the matter with Shivalinga worship and the whole atmosphere in and asm. The holy cave shrine of Shiv Khori is about 80 km There are different stories about the discovery of this the other people the shepherd died. It is believed that a around the temples vibrate with the sound of bells and from world famous religious spot Katra in Reasi district of holy cave. It is said that a demon named Bhasmasur wor- number of saints have been closely associated with this holy chants of Jai Shiv Shanker. Devotees have bath in the river Jammu and Kashmir. Many of the pilgrims who pay hom- shipped the Lord Shiva for a long time and was blessed to cave, who had meditated decades inside this cave for spiri- Devak to purify themselves. The Shiv Khori Mela witnesses' age to Shri Vaishno Devi Shrine also visit this holy spot. In end the life of anybody with those blessings who ultimately tual attainment. With passage of time this place has gained great hustle and bustle during the three-day festival as pil- order to reach this spot firstly one has to reach at Reasi attempted to end the Lord Shiva. It is said the Lord Shiva much popularity among the people and now the people grims' families and various groups belonging to diverse town from where one can easily reach this spot by bus or ran to save himself from the fear of the demon and entered from each part of the country used to visit this holy shrine communities and hailing from different parts of the coun- by other light vehicles which directly go up to Ransoo vil- in this cave which is known as Shiv Khori shrine. After that every year.Presently every year the numbering of devotees try assemble there to seek his blessings of Lord Shiva. lage, the base camp of this religious spot. One can also Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini asked the demon to are increasing year after year. It is estimated that around 30 Pilgrims visit this spot throughout the year and enjoy the reach this religious spot from Jammu via Akhnoor to dance with her according to her tune. But when the demon percent of devotees from within the Union Territory of J&K unique place of spirituality. Bhambla. Track from Ransoo village to Shiv Khori shrine is started dancing as per the direction of Mohini, the demon and 70 percent devotees from out of J&K visit the shrine Apart from large number of kiosks of eatables and mer- mountainous and one can enjoy the nature while travelling took his hand at his head and he himself was destroyed. It every year. The Shrine Board has constructed Shrine Guest chants displaying their wares for sale, which include from through this track. One can also hire the pony or palki to go is said that 33 crores deities live in this holy cave in the House at village Ransoo near the shrine, a reception centre trinkets to new popular electronics gadgets, the fair pres- up to the shrine from Ransoo village. shape of pindis and natural milky water trickles down on and a pony shed, tiled 3-km long track, plantation of orna- ents hosts of entertainments for every visitor. Exhibitions Every year Shiv Khori Mela is held at Shiv Khori Shrine them from the top of the cave. Six mouthed Seshnaga and mental and medicinal plants on track, charming parks etc. are put up by the various departments who demonstrate of Lord Shiva in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on three pronged lance depicting the trident of Lord Shiva are The cave has modern electrification system, facilities of various technologies and schemes. Most of the stalls of eat- the eve of Maha Shivratri with exuberance and enthusiasm. also seen on the roof of the cave. The main portion of the oxygen and electric generators exhaust fans, well struc- ables especially Jalebi and Pakoras, which is a specialty of This year this revered event is being organised from 10 to cave roof has round cutting mark which signifies the con- tured shelter sheds for the pilgrims, toilet and bathroom the mela, are being run by local people of the area. Shiv 12th of March. Large numbers of pilgrims from every nook struction of cave by Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu. facilities, water reservoir, proper sanitation, high powered Khori Mela is a major socio-religious event that brings and corner of the country visit this shrine to seek blessings According to a saint named as Baba Ramesgiriji who used electric transformer, clock room, police security for the pil- together many people at Ransoo village where devotees of of Lord Shiva. Mainly the programme is held at Ransoo vil- to live in this cave, there is also a cave which directly goes grims and a quality dispensary. Different programmes such Lord Shiva forget their caste, creed and language and share lage in Reasi district of J&K which can be said as the base to Amarnathji. as Dangal, cultural programmes, Shoba Yatra, display of an experience of faith with full devotion. Wide publicity of camp of Shiv Khori. Main cave is around 3.5 Km away from It is said that Shiv Khori cave was discovered by a stalls by the different departments etc. are also organised mela through print and electronic media well in advance is Ransoo village. Whole Ransoo village is decorated in well in Muslim shepherd who was in search of his missing goat and during the programme. To facilitate the pilgrims during the also done so that more and more people participate in this advance so that the visiting devotees can experience a by chance went inside the cave to find his goat. He was Maha Shivratri Mela, recently Shrine Board has construct- mega event. Security, safe drinking water, un-interrupted pleasant look during the event. The strenuous efforts are astonished by seeing a number of saints inside the cave, ed an exit tunnel. power supply, adequate provision of essential commodities, made for the beautification and cleanliness of the area. The who were impressed by Lord Shiva's divine power and he Shiv Khori Shrine is a source of attraction for the pil- sanitation, fire services, ration and other commodities, district administration makes full efforts to assist the pil- also started worshipping the Lord Shiva. The saints asked grims from across the nation. The Shiv Khori Mela is an medical services, transport arrangements, accommodation grims in every location. The festival signifies the conver- him to make the commitment to them to not disclose the important annual congregation of pilgrims who gather at facilities etc. are provided to the devotees by the district gence of Shiva and Shakti as the festival marks the marriage matter about the cave to anybody but despite their instruc- this spot to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess administration.