Famouse Lord Shankaracharya Temple, Jammu Kashmir

The Shankaracharya temple, also known as the Jyesteshwara temple or Pas-Pahar is situated on the top of the Shankaracharyahill, also called Gopadari hill in Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shankaracharya temple has a high octagonal platform and it can be reached by a flight of approximately 243 steps. The sidewalls of these steps once had some valuable inscriptions. In 1961, a statue of AdiShankaracharya was erected in the temple.

Originally, the temple was constructed at this site in the 2nd century BC by the son of the Mauryan King Asoka, the great. The temple has become a landmark for Srinagar city. The approximate height of the temple from the end of the road to the hill, before the temple platform is 550 ft. The main shrine consists of a circular cell. The sanctum is covered by a ply board ceiling, concealing the sandstone slabs which are supported by lintels. A huge oval shaped Shiva Lingam encircled by a snake. is placed in the sanctum. It is believed that Raja Gopadatya renovated the temple in 371 BC and renamed it as Gopadri. The great philosopher and sage Shankaracharya has resided here when he visited Kashmir. Hence, the temple was named Shankaracharya temple.

Beautiful Shiv Khori Temple, Srinagar

Image Source - www.shivkhori.in

Shri Shiv Khori in Jammu & Kashmir is a famous Cave Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. Shivkhori is located between the hillocks in Ransoo village in Pouni block in Reasi district. The cave temple enshrines a 4 feet high Swayambhu Shiv Linga (naturally formed Shivling). An interesting feature of Shiv Khori is that the cave in the shape of Shiva’s Damaru. That is wide at the two ends and very congested in the middle. An image of Goddess Parvati can be seen on the left of Shiva Linga. Images of five headed Ganesha and Karthikeya can also be seen. A cow like formation, denoting Kamadenu, can be seen above the Shivlinga. Natural water dripping on the Shivling symbolizes the presence of holy Ganga river. Other Hindu gods images in Shiva Khori include Ramdarbar having images of Lord Ram, Lakhshman, Sita and Hanuman. The whole cave is abounds with a number of other natural images which have been described as images of 33 crores Hindu deities and their Vahanas. Goddess Mahakali and Saraswati images are in the second half chamber of the cave.
Festivals Celebrated In Shiv Khori Temple
The annual Maha Shivratri is the most important festival celebrated at the temple in the month of Phalguna (February or March). During the festival a 3 day Shiv Khori Mela is organised by Shri Shiv Khori Srine Board, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu Kashmir Government organizes a fair cum exhibition during the festival.