Shiv Khori | Shiv Khori Shrine | Shiv Khori Reasi | Shiv Khori Distance | Shiv Khori Weather | Shiv Khori Destination | Jammu Tourism and More.
About it :
The holy Shivkhori Shrine is one of the most important shrines in the Hindu religion It is situated in Village Ransoo of Block Pouni in District Reasi of Jammu and Kashmir. Shivkhori shrine is located on Reasi- Rajouri Road and is well connected to Jammu and other parts of the country. The shrine is unique and a large number of devotees & tourists from all over the country and abroad visit here every year to have glimpses of Lord Shiva and pay obedience here. It is about 130 kilometers away from Winter Capital Jammu and one can also reach from Katra side which is about 80 kilometers from the shrine with a well-connected road.
The pilgrims who visit Katra to perform the pilgrimage of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji can easily club their pilgrimage with Shivkhori as it is only Fifty kilometers away from District Reasi. Transportation facilities are easily available from all the District Headquarters viz; Jammu, Reasi, and Udhampur for Holy Shivkhori shrines.
The Holy Shrine of Shivkhori is purely dedicated to Lord Shiva situated on the hills in the Ransoo Village in Reasi District is surrounded by lush green mountains and is at a distance of about 3.5 kilometers from the base camp of Ransoo. Devotees can enjoy nature while traveling through this hilly track of 3.5 kilometers by foot and devotees can also hire a pony or Palki to go up to the Shrine from Ransoo Village.
Ancient History :
The Holy Shrine of Shivkhori is completely dedicated to Lord Shiva, the creator of this universe and there are different incredible stories about the discovery of this Holy Shrine.
It is as old as Hindu Puran because the same is mentioned in Puranas. As per the Shiv Puran, a demon namely Bhasma Asur (converting to Ashes by Demon) worshipped Mahadev(Lord Shiva) for a long time. Mahadev, the creator of this universe was well aware of the intentions of the demon and misuse of his blessings. Despite knowing the intentions of the demon and misusing his blessings, Lord Shiva still asked him for his wish. Accordingly, he was blessed with his wish to convert any living being into ashes (Bhasma) while putting his hand on his head but to save the universe, Lord Shiva made his wisdom corrupt, and Bhasma Asur under greed and lust for power
This demon then decided to convert Mahakal(Lord of Deaths) into Bhasma (ashes). As such Mahakal(Lord Shiva) accompanying Maha Shakti Goddess Parvati, the Ganesha & Kartikay reached Shivkhori Hill. Lord Shiva used his Trident and carved out the way out of the Mountains and made a special cave for his family as well for 33 Kotey devtas.
Then Lord Vishnu appeared before Bhasma Asur as a beautiful Virgin with a Mohini appearance and again made the dirty mind of a demon to play a dirty game. The demon Bhasma Asur offered her marriage but Mohini accepted the offer with the condition that Natraj dance live with her and Bhasma Asur accepted. Bhasmasur while dancing, Narayia got Bhasma Asur(demon) to zenith & put his hand over his head and Bhasmasur repeated the same and thus he died of his blessings. Thereafter 33 Kotey(forms) Devi Devtas(deities) visited the cave and stayed there.it is believed that 33 Kotey Devi Devtas (deities) live in this Holy cave in the shape of Pindies and naturally, milky water trickles down on them from the top of the cave.
There is a natural Shivlingam inside the cave and has a large number of natural objects that resemble Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Nandigan. Inside the Holy Shrine, six-mouthed Sheshnag and 3 pronged lances depicting the Trident of Lord Shiva are also seen on the roof of the cave. The main portion of the roof of the cave has round cuttings, marks that signify the construction of the cave by Sudarshan Chakkar. Pigeons are also often seen here inside the cave-like the Amar Nath cave of Kashmir, hence creating more interest among the devotees from the spiritual point of view.
One famous saint namely Ramesh Giri Ji who used to live in this cave had said that there is also a cave inside the shrine which directly goes to Holy Amar Nath in Kashmir. One can feel complete peace of mind, soul, and spirituality at this holy place with the incredible natural beauty around the shrine.
The Holy Shivkhori cave is about 200 meters long, one meter wide, and three meters in height and only 250 to 300 devotees can assemble one time at the entrance of the cave while the inner chamber of the cave is very small. Devotees have to keep and adjust their bodies according to the shape of the cave to reach the shrine for religious rituals. Devotees can visit the shrine any time to have a glimpse of Lord Shiva and pay obedience at the place but many devotees especially prefer to perform morning prayers with full religious rituals which are considered to be most pious in the Hindu religion.
Shiv Khori Distance :
Devotees and tourists can easily hire taxis, Buses, and cabs from Bus stands in Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra which are easily available at these places at normal rates. The roads leading towards Shivkhori from these destinations are well-connected and amazing surrounded by mountains and greenery. If devotees and tourists take the route from Jammu to Shivkhori, the destination is at a distance of 130 kilometers Via Akhnoor and Bhambla with hilly and beautiful terrains, and from Reasi it is 50 kilometers and from Katra, the destination at a distance of 80 kilometers.
Shiv Khori Stay :
Pilgrims and visitors after reaching Ransoo the base camp of Shivkhori can stay here as several private Hotels, Restaurants, and guest houses are easily available on reasonable charges. There is also a beautiful market where one can purchase anything of their choice.
Ransoo Weather :
The climate remains quite pleasant during the summer and winter seasons in Ransoo and in Shivkhori Shrine. During summer seasons heavy rush of pilgrims and tourists is witnessed here and they all stay in Ransoo Town before they proceed towards Shiv Khori Shrine situated at a distance of about four and a half kilometers. Pleasant weather gives the pilgrims soothing touch.
Shiv Khori Nearby Tourist | pilgrim places :
Besides this holy religious shrine of Shiv Khori, there are also other lot of tourist and pilgrim destinations located in the District of Reasi that are being visited by large numbers of pilgrims and tourists from all over India and abroad.
The most popular and often visited other tourist/pilgrim destinations in the District are Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, Baba Dansar, Noan Devi, Siyad Baba waterfall, etc. Proper Hotels, restaurants, guest houses, etc. are easily available in Katra town and Shivkhori for the pilgrims, visitors, and tourists at nominal rates. Proper provisions for transport are easily available round the clock from the winter capital Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, and Reasi for these destinations.
Ending :
Devotees & tourists from all over the country and abroad visit the holy shrine of Shivkhori throughout the year in large numbers and perform the pilgrimage. But every year a big fair is organized at the shrine on the auspicious occasion Maha Shivratri festival with great enthusiasm and gaiety in which people from every nook and corner of the country throng in large numbers to participate in this 3 day fair to pay obedience and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The whole village is decorated well in advance so the visiting pilgrims feel a pleasant look during the event.
The District administration and Shivkhori Shrine Board play a key role in making this festival even more popular. They facilitate the pilgrims by providing them required facilities. Shivkhori Shrine Board looks after the whole affairs of the shrine through its proper upkeep and maintenance.
The need of the hour is to improve the condition of the road about 5 to 6 kilometers leading to Ransoo which has been in quite dilapidated condition for the last many and has caused great discomfort and hurdles to the visiting devotees and others, It needs to be improved forthwith. I have been regularly visiting Shivkhori Shrine for the last many years and have seen the condition of this which is quite deplorable. I hope in the coming months the concerned Department makes this road mortar able to tide over the difficulties of everyone otherwise the road connectivity is quite good throughout the journey.
From:
Team Panaromicspots.
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