Cave of ShivKhori

Shivkhori is a famous cave shrine of Hindus devoted to lord Shiva, situated in district Udhampur of Jammu and Kashmir state in India.The Holy Shiv Khori Shrine, purely dedicated to the Lord Shiva, is situated on a hillock in Ransoo village of Tehsil Reasi of the Udhampur District in Jammu region of the Jammu & Kashmir state. Shiv Khori is situated in between the hillocks about 140 km north of Jammu, 120 km from Udhampur and 80 km from Katra.This holy cave is nearly a kilometre long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed ‘Shivling’.It is considered second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in religious importance. There are stalactites and stalagmites dripping milky limestone water.To the left of Shivling Mata Parwati is symbolized by impression of Her Holy feet.Kartikeya is also seen in left of Shivlingam.The Holy cave has a number of other natural images which are believed to be that of 33 crores Hindu Deities.

The cave is a real wonder to be seen which according to the people is unending and believed to have led to Swami Amar Nath cave in Kashmir. Assessment of local people, it measures nearly half a kilometer in length but Yatries are allowed to go only upto 130 meters. Rest part of the cave is still a mystery as no one could go further due to lack of oxygen.It is believed that some Sadhus who dared to go ahead never returned. The cave is in the shape of Lord Shiva's Damroo i.e. wide at the two ends while very congested at the center. The width of the cave is so less at certain place that a person can barely crawl through whereas at places it over a hundred feet wide and quite high too.Pigeons are also seen here like Ama
ath cave. After crossing the narrow passage, yatry reaches in the main cave area where sanctum sanctorum is situated.The open part of cave has a four feet high naturally formed Shiv-lingam at the heart of the Sanctum Sanctorum.Pandava are present in natural rock form (pindies). Infront of the Mahakali on other wall of cave, natural rock image of Lord Shiva lieing down on floor is visible. A holy foot of Maa Kali is also visible on body of lord shiva. The whole environment inside the cave is so mesmerizing that a devotee feel himself Lush Green Mountain in abode of god's place and whole nature appears turned spiritual.

Shiva Khori was basically the Lord Shiva’s Hideout. He granted a wish to one of the demo
King Bhasmasura, that whatever he touches will turn into ashes. The demon king happy with the wish started killing all gods one after the other.Afraid of his deeds, one of gods provoked him to kill Lord Shiva himself and when Lord Siva came to knew about it ran from him and took a hide in these mountains.The Holy Cave abode of Lord Shiva is a real wonder to be seen. The cave is in the shape of Lord Shiva's Damroo i.e. wide at the two ends while very congested at the center. The width of the cave is so less at certain place that a person can barely crawl through whereas at other places it's over a hundred feet wide and quite high too. There are lots of features which can be observed in the cave, however the best of them is the natural milky water dripping from the top to the Shivling symbolizing the ete
ity of the holy river Ganga.