Shivkhori in Jammu

Legend About Shivkhori Temple

Legend has it that the Shiv Khori was a resting place for Goddess Parvati and Nandi when they fled away from Bhasmasur to save their lives. Bhasmasur, after years of prayers to Lord Shiva, had acquired a blessing that allowed him to kill anyone on the earth, especially Lord Shiva who was already aware of this intention. On their way to a safer location, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Nandi chose to rest at Shivkhori. Bhasmasur, who found out that the Lord is resting here, got into violent combat against him. But Lord Shiva won in the end and decided to let Bhasmasura live. It is believed that the cave into being when Lord Shiva threw his Trishul on this land only to make a passage for him, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha to pass through. Another important fact about the cave is that nearly 330 million Hindu deities have manifested in the Shivkhori cave over the ages.

Shivkhori Cave

Shiv Khori cave, a naturally formed cave, is 200-metre long and three metres in height and one metre wide. An idol, Shiva Lingam, which is placed inside the cave shrine is actually a four-feet tall structure which has been formed naturally. The Cave has a spacious entrance which can easily accommodate up to 300 people in just one go. The path which starts from the entrance continues into an inner, comparatively small chamber. The passage is so narrow and the ceiling is so low that only one person can crawl or crouch through the passage.