VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Jammu & Kashmir

Showing posts with label Jammu & Kashmir. Show all posts

Sunday, 27 April 2025

Hindu Temples of Jammu & Kashmir

PLACE	DESCRIPTION
Amarnath	Sri Amarnath Temple
Jammu	Raghunath Temple
Katra	Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine
Ransoo	Shiv Khori Cave Temple
Tulmulla	Shri Kheer Bhawani Temple

Thursday, 13 February 2025

Gulmarg, a Hill station of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

21, July 2014

This is a separate and updated post from the original Group post. For the details of the Group post, please click this link.

Sri AMARNATH JI blessed us on 05th July 2014. After my Yatra to Kailash and Chardham (Yamunothri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath), my dream of a Yatra to Amarnath was fulfilled. The main itinerary in this yatra is Amarnath, Shiv Khori Cave, and Shri Vaishno Devi Cave. During our Amarnath Yatra, some of the tourist places like Srinagar Dal Lake, Shikara ride (Boat ride), Nishat Garden, Mughal Garden, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Sri Sankaracharya Temple, and Shri Raghunath Temple at Srinagar were also added, since it may not be possible to make a second trip to these places.

GULMARG

It is a hill station often used as a commercial route between the Mughals and British rulers. It would be a wonderful place for skating during the snow season. 52 km from Srinagar, at an average elevation of 2690 meters (8825 feet). The previous name was Gaurimarg, named after Maa Shri Devi Parvathi. (Gauri – Parvathi Marg – meadow). So it is called the Meadow of Shri Parvathi Devi. There is also a Shiva temple built by the wife of a king. The original name was changed to Gulmarg Mogul King Yousuf Shah and Jahangir. The LOC lies within a km of Gulmarg.

It was raining when we reached Gulmarg; Phase II was also closed. There was no activity of skating. After the rain, thick mist also covered the mountains, and some of us skipped the cable car ride. Instead, we went for horse riding to see the flowers.

Valley of Flowers

A private hotel

A Shiv mandir

The cable trolley service station

Enjoying the horse ride in the rain

... OM SHIVAYA NAMA ...

Nishat Bagh Garden, near Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

21, July 2014

This is a separate and updated post from the original Group post. For the details of the Group post, please click this link.

Sri AMARNATH JI blessed us on 05th July 2014. After my Yatra to Kailash and Chardham (Yamunothri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath), my dream of a Yatra to Amarnath was fulfilled. The main itinerary in this yatra is Amarnath, Shiv Khori Cave, and Shri Vaishno Devi Cave. During our Amarnath Yatra, some of the tourist places like Srinagar Dal Lake, Shikara ride (Boat ride), Nishat Garden, Mogul Garden, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Sri Sankaracharya Temple, and Shri Raghunath Temple at Srinagar were also added, since it may not be possible to make a second trip to these places.

NISHAT BAGH (PARK).

Located at the banks of Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains at the back side of the park. This was built by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Jahan, in the year 1633. It was built in a 12-terrace-type architecture. The garden is about a km from Rajbhavan, in Srinagar.

Entrance to the park

Zabarwan Mountain in the backdrop

Persian style of architecture

Beautiful color - Dark violet

... OM SHIVAYA NAMA ...

Sonamarg, the “Meadow of Gold“, Srinagar, Jammu and kashmir, India.

21, July 2014

This is a separate and updated post from the original Group post. For the details of the Group post, please click this link.

SONAMARG.

The meaning of Sonamarg is “Meadow of Gold“. This is about 84 km from Srinagar, and it lies at an altitude of 2800 meters above MSL. The river/Nallah is called Sindh, which is a large tributary of the Jhelum River in the Valley of Kashmir. It has a historical gateway to the Silk Road to China and the Gulf Countries.

It is a beautiful site to see the snow-capped mountains. Also, this is an important place for skating during the snow season. There was a little activity of skating in the valley.

We stayed at SonaMarg before leaving for Amarnath. In the evening at the bazaar, we met two Tamil Military personnel, who guided us and gave important tips for the Amarnath Yatra.

A beautiful view of the valley

Water flows under the frozen ice

The other side of the mountain without ice

Beautiful valley

Enjoying time with local children

Our team member, Mr Velsamy Palsamy, posing with an aged lady (Age must be 90+)

... OM SHIVAYA NAMA ...

Dal Lake - The “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir”, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

21, July 2014

This is a separate and updated post from the original Group post. For the details of the Group post, please click this link.

Sri AMARNATH JI blessed us on 05th July 2014. After my Yatra to Kailash and Chardham (Yamunothri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath), my dream of a Yatra to Amarnath was fulfilled. The main itinerary in this yatra is Amarnath, Shiv Khori Cave, and Shri Vaishno Devi Cave. During our Amarnath Yatra, some of the tourist places like Srinagar Dal Lake, Shikara ride (Boat ride), Nishat Garden, Mughal Garden, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Sri Sankaracharya Temple, and Shri Raghunatha Temple, Srinagar were also added, since it may not be possible to make a second trip to these places.

DAL LAKE

It is the second largest lake in the state, known as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The shoreline of the lake is about 15.5 km. On the banks of the lakes Mogul Gardens, Houseboats are located. The small boats are called Shikaras, and the boat ride is called a Shikara ride. The lake covers 26 square kilometers and is part of a wetland that covers approximately square Kilometers, which includes vegetable gardens (Potato, tomato, cucumber, radishes, pumpkins, etc.) and Shopping for textiles and dry fruits in the intricate waterways maze. The floating gardens are 4 kilometers wide and 8 km long, spread over 26 sq kilometers and approximately 12 meters in depth. The gardens consist of reed rafts of three meters and are covered by a 1-meter-thick layer of earth and mud; vegetables and melons are grown on these artificial floating islands. The lake is a combination of three lakes.

Some of the wetlands inside the lake are owned by private parties who have their own boats for transportation. We enjoyed the shikara ride and took photographs in traditional Kashmiri dress. And had been to a garden inside the lake.

... OM SHIVAYA NAMA ...

Mughal Garden, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

21, July 2014

This is a separate and updated post from the original Group post. For the details of the Group post, please click this link.

Sri AMARNATH JI blessed us on 05th July 2014. After my Yatra to Kailash and Chardham (Yamunothri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath), my dream of a Yatra to Amarnath was fulfilled. The main itinerary in this yatra is Amarnath, Shiv Khori Cave, and Shri Vaishno Devi Cave. During our Amarnath yatra, some of the tourist places like Srinagar Dal Lake, Shikara ride (Boat ride), Nishat Garden, Mughal Garden, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Sri Sankaracharya Temple, and Shri Raghunath Temple at Srinagar were also added, since it may not be possible to make a second trip to these places.

MUGHAL GARDENS.

This is the Persian style of architecture. These gardens were developed during the Mughal ruler Jahangir.

Waterfall at the entrance of the park

Chinar tree

Beautiful color of the leaves and buds

See the color of the leaves and flowers

Water flows from the mountains in the back

... OM SHIVAYA NAMA ...

Sri Sankaracharya Temple, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

21, July 2014

(This is a separate and updated post from the original Group post. For the details of the Group post please click this link).

During our Amarnath Yatra, some of the tourist places like Srinagar Dal Lake, Shikara ride (Boat ride), Nishat Garden, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Mogul Garden, Sri Sankaracharya Temple, and Shri Raghunath Temple were also added, since it may not be possible to make a second trip to these places.

SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE, SRINAGAR.
The sacred Shankaracharya temple is also known as Jyeshteswara located on a 1000-foot (300-meter) hilltop from the base in the heart of Srinagar City. Now it is under the control of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India). It was believed that there was a Buddhist monument at that place that dates back to 250 BC built by Emperor Ashoka’s son Jhaloka and later it was replaced by King Lalitaditya during the 7^th century. There is also another version that Shri Shankara had built the temple up the base of 20 feet high octagonal plinth with stones and steps of 250 and an odd superstructure was built later by Shah Jahan. (The Persian inscriptions were also found – Now I could not see anything). In the center of the sanctum, there is a Shiva Lingam was installed. The Original ceiling was dome-shaped and the present brick ceiling was replaced a century ago.

From the base we can go through the auto and the proper motorable road was laid. The steps were constructed neatly to climb up to the shrine. It was a panoramic view of Srinagar with Dal Lake when viewed from the top. There is also a meditation hall a level below the sanctum sanctorum, believed that the same was used by Shri Shankaracharya.

... OM SHIVAYA NAMA ...

Thursday, 21 July 2022

Shiv Khori, Ransoo, Reasi District, Jammu & Kashmir

The visit to this Shiv Khori cave temple at Ransoo Village in Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir was a part of the AMARNATH JI yatra on 05th July 2014. This was a continuation of the Yatra to Kailash and Chardham (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath ), with the same Group, but with a change of Travel agency. Our team consists of 20 members. All the arrangements were made by Mr TSR Prabhakaran. The main itinerary in this Amarnath yatra includes Shiv Khori Cave, Shri Vaishno Devi Cave, Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Amritsar, Wagah border, and Shri Raghunath Temple, Jammu.

Entrance to the holy cave

SHIV KHORI

The deities inside the natural cave are Lord Shiva, Ma Parvati, Ganesh, Rishabam, Six-Hooded Snake Adiseshan, Vishnu, Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and munis.

ARCHITECTURE

This temple is a natural cave, where rich mineral water trickles from the roof of the cave from the Deities, Lord Shiva, Ma Parvati, Ganesha, Rishabam, Six-Hooded Snake, Vishnu, Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and munis. The natural cave Shiv Khori is about 200 meters long, separated by a small passage of one meter wide and 1 to 1 ½ meters high. We have to crawl through this passage to the other part of the cave.

Apart from the entrance to the cave, an exit path was created recently in 2014. The cave extends up to the newly formed existence. It was believed that the cave ended at Sri Amarnath Cave.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple is being maintained by the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board (SSKSB), which was formed in the year 2003.

Initially, Baba Rameshwar Giri, as a manager, was performing pooja with the consent of Local people. On 31^st May 1991, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board of Katra took over the activities of this Shiv Khori Cave Shrine, as per the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur, vide 535/SQ dated 31-05-1991. The same order was attested by the Tehsildar of Reasi vide 803 dated 29^th July 1991. However, due to a legal dispute between SMVDSB & Rameshwar Giri, SMVDSB could not establish effective control over the affairs of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine. Later, infrastructure facilities like drinking water, electricity, sanitation, etc, were created for the benefit of Devotees by the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board ( SSKSB) in 1991 and officially formed in 2003.

LEGENDS

It is believed that 33 crore deities exist in the cave.

As per the legend, Bhasmasura did penance on Lord Shiva and obtained a boon of burning / killing and made them bashpam when he touched the head of anybody. After getting the boon, the Asura wanted to test Lord Shiva, who had given the boon. Fearing Bhasmasura’s threat, Lord Shiva came to this cave along with Ma Parvati.

Maha Vishnu came to his rescue in the form of Mohini, and called Bhasmasura to dance with him. Following Maha Vishnu’s steps, at one stage, Bhasmasura touched his own head and became bashpam / ash. Since then, Lord Shiva, Ma Parvati, and Maha Vishnu stayed in this Shiv Khori Cave Shrine and blessed the devotees.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, 3 days of special poojas are conducted on Maha Shivaratri day.

CONTACT DETAILS

Official website: http://www.shivkhori.in/

e-mail address: shivkhori2008@gmail.com

Suresh Chandra, Asst Manager, SSKSB, Ransoo +917889697910, Sh Madan Lam, Asst Manager ( P), SSKSB +91 7889484465

HOW TO REACH

A beautiful 3.5 Km trek road was formed from the village to the cave shared by pedestrians, ponies, and dollywalas.

Bus service is available from Katra (80 km), Udhampur (120 km), and Jammu (140 km) on the north side.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE SHRINE: CLICK HERE