Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi yatra, is
also the access point for the revered shrine of Shiv Khori. Situated 78 kms
from Katra and 130 kms from Jammu, this cave-shrine is dedicated to Shiva.
Ransoo village in Reasi district is the base camp from where pilgrims can reach
the cave shrine, which is a 3-km trek ahead. The Shiv Khori Shrine Board is
planning to start helicopter services from katra to Ranson.
the cave, which enshrines a 1.2 m high swayambhu (naturally-formed) linga, is
shaped like Shiva's damn, with a wide mouth that tapers as one reaches the
sanctum, and then opens up again into a gradually-widening passage.
Naturally-formed pindis inside the cave are
worshipped as Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeva and Nandi, while etchings and cupules
on the inside walls are venerated as other gods of the Hindu pantheon.
The story of Shiv Khori is linked to the ferocious demon
Bhasmasura, a devotee of Shiva. The demon was given a boon by Shiva whereby he
could turn people to ash at the merest touch of his hand. Elated with his
power, Bhasmasura turned upon Shiva and started chasing him. Shiva, unwilling
to rescind his boon, entered Shiv Khori cave and cut a tunnel through the
mountain with his trident. Eventually, Vishnu appeared in front of Bhasmasura
in the form a seductress and tricked him into using his powers against himself.
It is a widely believed that the Shiv Khori cave is linked
to the venerated shrine of Amarnath through this passage.
Thousands of devotees throng this cave shrine and offer
prayers to Shiva during the annual three-day festival on the eve of Mahashivaratri
in February.
For more information on Shiv Khori and Vaishno Devi yatra, contact http://www.swantour.com/ and
call – 011 23415601