Thajiwara Shive Temple | Prachin cave of Lord Shiva | Chota Amarnath | Kashmiri Pandit's Civilization | Cultural Lives
The historical Thajiwara Shiv Temple commonly known as Chota Amarnath located in Thajiwara Tehsil Bijebehra District Anantnag, is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple's history dates back to ancient times, with its significance rooted in Hindu mythology. This Prachin cave of Lord Shiva at Thajiwara is located on the slope of a plateau about 4 kilometres in the east of Bijbehara Town & Bijbehara –Phalgham road traverses along the premises of the sacred shrine.
Prachin Cave of Lord Shiva at Thajiwara (Bijbehara) is also known as “PRACHIN CAVE OF SWAMI AMARNATHJI” is one of the most prominent places of pilgrimage in the valley of Kashmir and Vijeshwar Kheshtra. According to Thajiwara Mahatam, Vijeshwar Mahatam and other religious manuscripts written and compiled by saints, scholars, Dharam Gurus of yore in Vijeshwar Kheshtra, this sacred cave is the cause of the creation of Holy cave of Amarnath. This cave has been the centre of attraction for devotees since times immemorial. As per the religious scriptures mentioned above the holy cave of Thajiwara has the same religious sanctity and importance as that of holy cave of Amarnath.
According to these scriptures mother Goddesss observed strict penance at Thajiwara Cave to please Lord Shiva for revealing to Her the Eternal truth of this “BRAHMAND” i.e. the unlimited universe. Pleased by Her Tapasya Lord Shiva granted Her wish and selected extremely secluded place in the Himalayas to reveal eternal secret of the creation of this limitless universe to Mother Goddess Parvati.The day when Amar Katha was revealed was Shravan Purnimashi. This revelation by Lord Shiva is called “AMARKATHA” and the cave were it was revealed is known as Holy cave of Amarnath. After the revelation of the eternal secret of the universe lord Shanker came to be known as Lord Amarnath and ice-lingham appeared as His symbol in the holy cave Hence, the Cave of Thajiwara is an inseparable part of Amarnath pilgrimage.
Annual yatra at holy cave at Thajiwara coincides with that of the last day of annual pilgrimage of the holy cave of Swami Amarnath on “SRAWAN PURNIMASHI”. It is the reason the devotees have been paying obeisance at Thajiwara Cave since ancient times. The shrine premises is spread over an area of about 50 Kanals of land which includes slopes and the top of the plateau besides the lower portion of the plateau along the Bijbehara-Phalgham road.
According to Thajiwara Mahatam, one who is not in a position to pay obeisance at Amarnath Cave because of Physical disability or any other reason, can have Darshan of Lord Shankar at Thajiwara cave. Such a devotee is bestowed with the same spiritual benefits as in the cave of Swami Amarnath. The water that trickles down from the roof of the cave on sacred Shivlingam flows from the cave into two smaller caves and a pond outside the main cave. The same water is led through a small channel towards bathing ponds. This small channel is called Amar Ganga. Besides it Amar Bhabooti is another feature of Thajiwara cave.
The devotees from all parts of the valley and the tourists on way to Phalgham used to pay obeisance at this place of pilgrimage round the year before 1990. A festival was celebrated at the cave premises on every “SHRAWAN PURNIMASHI”. Thousand of devotees thronged this place on this occasion. The annual Yatra and festival were resumed after a gap of 18 year in year 2007. From the year 1990 to 2007 the temple adjacent to the Holy cave, Yatri Niwas, bath rooms and whole infrastructure suffered a great damage including the cave itself.
It is highly appreciable that now the cave temple has been rebuilt by Vijeshwar Devasthan Trust, an elected body of the Hindus of Tehsil Bijbehara and great efforts are being made to restore the glory of this place of pilgrimage, but the lack of financial resources and political unrest resulted in the delay in rebuilding the whole infrastructure at Thajiwara.
It very intresting that this holy cave attracts thousands of devotees annually, especially during Maha Shivaratri, a significant Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva. Pilgrims and tourists flock to experience the spiritual ambiance, participate in rituals, and seek blessings. It also remains in the limelight during annual Holy Amarnath Yatra and during this period heavy rush of devotees is witnessed here.
Thajiwara Shiv Temple holds immense religious relevance, as it's believed that worshipping here fulfills desires and brings salvation and the temple's architecture, though simple, exudes serenity, making it a must-visit for devotees and architecture enthusiasts.
Thajiwara Shiv Temple plays a significant role during the holy Amarnath Yatra, serving as a crucial pitstop for pilgrims. Being Located en route to the Amarnath Cave Temple, it provides a serene space for devotees to rest, rejuvenate, and offer prayers. The temple's sacred ambiance and scenic surroundings offer a perfect setting for pilgrims to recharge before proceeding on their spiritual journey.
Religious Significance :
It is a Pracheen cave of lord Amarnath at Thajiwara is one of the most prominent religious shrines Hindus & this holy place is considered as an inseparable part of the holy Amarnath shrine, it's a prominent pilgrimage site in Kashmir, attracting Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims.it is Situated in Thajiwara village, near Bijbehara, South Kashmir, accessible from the Srinagar-Anantnag highway.
Its history dates back to Ahoka era and it is believed to predate Emperor Ashoka and founded by Emperor Vijaya, it was a marvel of stone architecture that suffered damage over time. The current status of the temple is that it needs full repair and renovation in order to preserve its heritage, aiming to revive the area's past glory. Annual festival, notably around Shravan Purnamashi, bringing communities together for prayer and to foster brotherhood but in essence, Thajiwara Temple is a place of deep spiritual meaning, symbolizing Kashmir's shared heritage, with hopeful efforts underway to restore its historical grandeur and religious significance.
It has a big religious significance in Hinduism due to the following main reasons :
1. Amar Katha Site:
It's considered a sacred spot where the divine conversation between Shiva and Parvati occurred, linking it directly to the Amarnath legend.
2.Chota Amarnath :
Due to its immense spiritual importance, it's often called "Little Amarnath".
3. Natural Lingam :
A unique feature is the submerged Shiva Lingam in a cave, with pearl-like water drops falling from the roof, symbolizing divine presence.
Pilgrimage & Spirituality :
This holy shrine offers a complete feel of pilgrimage and spirituality to the devotees visiting and it touches their soul in the following way :
a. Spiritual Solace:
This holy place attracts devotees seeking peace and connection with the divine, especially during auspicious times.
b. Holy Dip:
A sacred spring at the hill's base provides water for pilgrims, enhancing the spiritual experience.
c. Enduring Faith:
That despite its challenging location, it remains a powerful symbol of faith and devotion in the Kashmir Valley,
How to Reach Here :
The temple is approximately 2km from Bijbehara, a historical village with ancient ruins. The devotees or tourits planning their trip to Kashmir Valley must visit this holy place to obesience and in order to reach Thajiwara Shiv Temple, one must adopt the following modes of transportation :
One can easily fly to Srinagar Airport which is about 125 km away from this holy place and take a taxi or bus easily available from the airport to reach here. The other option is to travel by road from Jammu or other meteropolitian city of India and reach Anantang town and then proceed to Meera Gund via local transport or taxi. The holy shrine is located at a distance of about two kilometers from famous town Bijebehra.
Accommodation for Devotees Here :
Thajiwara Shiv Temple is a hidden gem, offering a peaceful retreat amidst nature and the main city of Anantnag offers various accommodation options, ranging from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts and a beautiful JKTDC's Guest House. Pilgrims can also hault at Martand Surya temple Bhawan or at Nagbal Anantang, other religious place where such provisions are available for pilgrims. Visitors can explore nearby attractions during their stay in the area which include Amarnath Cave Temple, Aishmuqam Shrine, Martand Sun Temple, Jhelum River,
The best time to visit is from May to October, when the weather is pleasant. Experience the tranquility and spiritual essence of Thajiwara Shiv Temple, a sacred haven in Kashmir.
Conclude :
Thajiwara Shiv Temple, a sacred heaven in Anantnag, Kashmir, holds immense spiritual significance and natural beauty and in order to enhance its tourist potential, suggestive measures include infrastructure Development, improve road connectivity, local transport, and amenities like food stalls, restrooms, and parking. The Promotion of its existence may also carried out on mass level to highlight the temple's history, architecture, and spiritual importance through social media, travel blogs, and local tourism boards. It is also siggest d to implement sustainable practices, like solar energy, waste management, and tree planting, to maintain the temple's natural surroundings.
The community engagement is also paramount need of the hour to involve local communities in tourism activities, providing economic benefits and cultural exchange. It is also suggested that Government must organize festival celebrations by organizing cultural events and festivals, showcasing local art, music, and cuisine, to attract tourists. It is my personal opinion that if such measures are implemented in letter and spirit, Thajiwara Shiv Temple can become a prominent tourist destination, boosting the local economy and promoting cultural heritage.
All the kashmiri Pandits living in exile in Jammu and other parts of the country as well in abroad are requested to come forward voluntarily for repair, development and revontion of this old historical temple of Thajiwara so that it is restored back to it prestine glory and as well paves a way for restoration of our thousand years old culture and civilization. In the end Team Panaromicspots would as well like to extend its heartiest gratitude to Mr. Ranjan Jotshi one of the dynamic and dedicated social activist of Kashmiri Pandit community and an educationist who has inspired us to write about this neglected Prachin (ancient) Hindu shrine and has supported us whole heartedly overall.
Har Har Mahadev
Courtesy :
Team Panaromicspots.
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1 Comments
Woahhh..har har Mahadev
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