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Shivkhori Temple is one of the most sacred and mystical cave shrines in the Himalayan valley. It has an intriguing history and breathtaking surroundings. This temple also has an ethereal charm to it and is perfect for visitors seeking adventure and a spiritual experience. This cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is 200 metres long and one metre wide. In some areas, the height of the cave is so low that devotees have to crawl to enter it. It is worth taking this divine trip to the holy cave.
Location
Photo: Devika Robin Singh / Wikimedia Commons
This holy shrine lies at a distance of 140 km from Jammu, 80 km from Katra, and 120 km from Udhampur. It is in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The address of this temple is a hillock in Ransoo Village, which is also the base camp for trekking up to this shrine.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Jammu
How To Reach Shivkhori Temple
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
This holy shrine is well-connected by road from the airport, railway station, and bus station. The nearest airport to this shrine is 115 km away and the railway station is 79 km away. It is very convenient to reach the temple via private cabs or public transport. Also, you can reach the cave by trekking for around 3 km through stunning mountains and greenery.
Places To Visit Near Shivkhori Temple
There are some interesting and divine places to visit near this temple. Devotees can visit these places while planning a trip to Shivkhori temple:
1. Vaishno Devi Temple
Photo: Rishabhvyadav / Wikimedia Commons
Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. At this temple, you can worship the Goddess who is believed to be the manifestation of Mata Durga. The cave has three naturally-formed rocks called Pindies, which are manifestations of the three forms of Goddesses – Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati, and Maha Lakshmi. It is believed that during the aarti and puja, goddesses arrive at the holy cave. The 13 km long trek begins at Katra and offers breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys.
Location: Trikuta Hills, 13 km from Katra base
Timings: 24*7
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Vaishno Devi
2. Baba Dhansar
Photo: Itzseoprasoon / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Baba Dhansar is one of the holy places near Katra. It has a Shiva temple and is right by the beautiful Karua Jheel. Here, there is a huge spring that emerges from the rocks and creates several cascading waterfalls that merge with the River Chenab. The natural Shivling here has water droplets falling on it all year round. You can take a trek of 200 m to reach this picturesque temple, right in the lap of nature.
Location: Karua village, 14 km from Katra Railway Station
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
3. Nau Devi Temple
Photo: Pramal / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This shrine is dedicated to the nine incarnations of the Goddess Durga. So, when you need to reach this temple that is inside a cave, you need to ascend a flight of stairs. At this shrine, the atmosphere is serene and divine, filled with echoes of hymns and mantras. Also, the idols of the nine goddesses are in the cave and offer a perfect place to worship and seek blessings. People believe the goddesses bless and absolve them of their sins.
Location: Reasi district, near Katra
Timings: 5 AM – 8 PM
Suggested Read: Kashmir Temples
4. Dera Baba Banda
Photo: Naresh Gopal Sharma / Wikimedia Commons
Dera Baba Banda is a 300-year-old gurdwara and a pilgrimage place for the Sikhs. Baba Banda Bahadur was the commanding soldier of Guru Gobind Singh’s army and his ashes are in this gurdwara. Also, it has the historic relics of the saint soldier. And the architecture, layout, and white marble of this place are impressive. Even the interior walls of this gurudwara are beautiful, textured with golden shades. Lastly, the best part about this gurudwara is that it has scenic beauty and historic importance that make it a popular place amongst tourists.
Location: Bhabbar area, Reasi
Timings: 5 AM – 12 PM and 4 PM – 9 PM
Where To Stay
Photo: Vojtech Bruzek / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
There are many good hotels and lodging places near this temple. At these hotels, devotees can rest and then trek up to the holy shrine. Here are some of the good hotels to stay near Shivkhori Temple – County Park & Suites Tridev Shiv Khori, SR Hotel & Restaurant 2.0, Hotel Shree Shakti, Hotel Holy Shrine, and more. These offer good hospitality, a comfortable stay, and amenities.
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Jammu
Where To Eat
Photo: Vivek3dartist / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
There are many eating options at the base of Shivkhori Temple like Reasi-Shivay Fast Food Restaurant, Dogra Hut, Rainbow Restaurant, Rajasthani & Gujarat Restaurant, Trikuta View Food Point, and more. Devotees can eat scrumptious meals here before or after taking divine blessings at the holy cave.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Shail112 / Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit this temple is from October to March, as the weather is pleasant and the surroundings look surreal due to the low temperature. You can also visit this temple during festivals like Mahashivratri, Diwali, Navratri, and Basant Panchami as these are celebrated with great fervour here.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kashmir
Shivkhori Temple is in the lap of nature. This is Shiva’s self-manifested 4-feet lingam and holds great importance in the Hindu religion. The cave also consists of naturally formed shapes that look like Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Nandi, Kartikeya, and Sheshnag. Tourists should embark on this spiritual trip and plan a holiday with TripXL to experience its magical vibe.
Cover Photo: Dev Patel / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
