Trikkur Mahadeva Temple

Trikkur Mahadeva Temple- Kerala

the temple is located on the top of a hillock. 30ft long and 12ft broad cave in the rocky top is natural. the huge sivalinga is in sothern end of the cave.above this on the top rock there is a waterhole which never dries up even in the hottest summer. the temple is constructed without harming any of the natural setup. one of the achans of paliam constructed the outer wall and other protective structures and a gopuram fully protecting the environment. The blessing of the diety is considered a sure cure for asthma.Its outstanding features are its detachable lingam on a monolithic square pitha, the orientation of the waterchuts of the pitha to the north of the entrance direction of the cave, thus making the linga itself face east, the carving of the dwarapala in three quarter relief on the side walls of the cellar chamber and not on the outer walls flanking the door, the cellar being entered not by a single door but by a pillared facade with three bays whose pillars have a taranga or wavy corbel of the vaulted type. Ganesa sculpture in the northwest cellar wall shows familiarity of the artist with the Pandyan usages, and thus making the cave shrine ascribably to the early eighth century.

Trikkur Mahadeva Temple

Trikkur Mahadeva Temple- Kerala
The temple is located on the top of a hillock. 30ft long and 12ft broad cave in the rocky top is natural. The huge sivalinga is in southern end of the cave.Above this on the top rock there is a waterhole which never dries up even in the hottest summer. The temple is constructed without harming any of the natural setup. One of the achans of paliam constructed the outer wall and other protective structures and a gopuram fully protecting the environment. The blessing of the diety is considered a sure cure for asthma.Its outstanding features are its detachable lingam on a monolithic square pitha, the orientation of the waterchuts of the pitha to the north of the entrance direction of the cave, thus making the linga itself face east, the carving of the dwarapala in three quarter relief on the side walls of the cellar chamber and not on the outer walls flanking the door, the cellar being entered not by a single door but by a pillared facade with three bays whose pillars have a taranga or wavy corbel of the vaulted type. Ganesa sculpture in the northwest cellar wall shows familiarity of the artist with the Pandyan usages, and thus making the cave shrine ascribably to the early eighth century.

जटाशंकर महादेव CAVES

Jata Shankar is a natural cave at a distance of 2 km from Pachmarhi in Hoshangabad District. It is one of the pilgrim spots in the Pachmarhi hill resort. Jata Shankar cave resembles the tangled curls of Lord Shiva एंड हेंस गोत थे नामे. थे रोच्क्स अल्सो हवे थे शपे ऑफ़ थे हुड ऑफ़ अ गिंत सनके. आईटी इस बेलिएवेद ठाट लोर्ड शिवा हद ओंस विसितेद थिस प्लेस तो सेव हिम्सेल्फ़ फ्रॉम थे डेमों किंग भस्मासुर. मानी रोच्क्स कैन बे सीन हँगिंग बेत्वीन थे वाल्स ऑफ़ थे केव्स, व्हिच टेक ग्रीन तो गोल्डन येल्लो कोलोर्स ड्यू तो थे वरिअशन ऑफ़ सुन्लिघ्त. थे वल्ली इस सीलेंट एक्स्सप्त फॉर थे एचो ऑफ़ तेम्प्ले बेल्स एंड बिर्ड्स ओं ठिर वे तो रूस्त इन त्रीस हियर फॉर थे निघत. जाता शंकर केव हस अ नैचुरल शिवा लिंगम. ओवेर्हेअद सीम तो बे स्नाकेस एत्चेद इन स्तोने बी थे द्रिप्पिंग वाटर फ्रॉम थे केव रूफ. वहत अप्पार्स लिखे स्नाकेस इस फमेद अस शिवा'स मत्तेद हेयर. थे वाटर द्रिप्पिंग ओवर जटाशंकर शिवा लिंगम इस थे स्टार्टिंग पॉइंट फॉर जम्बू द्वीप सतरें. वेयर तेरे इस शिवा कैन रिवर गंगा बे फार बेहिंद? थे सतरें जम्बू द्वीप इस अ बीत ऑफ़ गंगा राईट हियर इन पच्मर्ही. थे फमोउस सिंगर ऑफ़ ओम नमः शिवाय
थिस वूमन इस अ फमिलिअर सिघत हियर, राउंड थे इयर! शे सीट्स ओं अ रॉक एंड सिंग्स ओम नमः शिवाय अत थे टॉप ऑफ़ हेर वौइस्. हेर चंट तौचेस थे वैरी सोल एंड सेंड्स त्रेमोर्स डाउन थे बॉडी. तेरे इस सोमेथिंग इनेक्स्प्लिकाब्ली बेऔतिफुल अबाउट थे वे शे सिंग्स:-)
She also sells herbal oils for massage

GUPTESWOR MAHADEV

Gupteshwor Mahadev cave is one of the longest caves in Nepal located in Chhorepatan -17 Pokhara at Siddartha Highway. This cave has two parts, the first is of 40 meter distance from the entrance gate and there you'll find a temple of lord Shiva. On the way there are shining stones seen every where and in the temple there is big stone looks like snake's head and tortoise which is consider as the image of the lord Shiva thus the cave is named as Gupteshwor Mahadev Gufa. The first part ends here. Second part starts after the temple and is 140 meter long. There is another gate to enter the second part. Second part is very beautiful and bit narrow then first one. You can reach below the patale chhago (Davi's fall) and see shining stones and different types of rocks like bee hives. Tourists are allowed to go up to this part only and they can take photograph of this part as well. This part is closed in monsoon and rainy season for four/five months. In this place you can see three ways on north, south and east.

GUPT MAHADEV AND BADA MAHADEV

When Lord Shiva was being chased by the demon Bhasmasur he took refuge at various places in Satpura mountains. Wherever he is supposed to have taken respite stands a Shiv temple. Bada Mahadev is one of such places. The main shrine is inside a 70 ft deep cave that also harbours a pond fed by water seeping through the rocks. Walking distance from the Bada Mahadev is another temple called the Gupt Mahadev which again is inside a cave. The cave is wide enough to allow one person to walk in and the main chamber can hold not more than five people at a time excluding the purohit. The famous Bhimbetka caves, which is around 50 kms from Bhopal, is also on the way. The place is absolutely barren. They are also called the Shelter Caves. The rock formations, man made or natural are supposed to be more than 9000 yrs old.

ARKI SHIVA CAVES

A very interesting natural temple near Arki. Requires a 45 minute steep trek to reach this temple which was right on top of a hill. Very few people and very peaceful and calm. It is basically a cave into which light filters during the day. Most of the cave is in darkness. The people you see in this snap are having there food which is provided free to the devotees. The priest (baba) lives in the cave itself. Not more is know about this place but just that Arki is a place in Solan in Himachal Pradesh.

SUDHMAHADEV TEMPLE

Situated in the town of Chanhani in the western part of the Jammu, the Sacred Temple of Sudhmahadev was constructed by Chaudhari Ramdas of Chanhani and his son Chaudhari Parag Mahajan about 80 years ago. Shri Masu Shahane of Sudhmahadev is said to have constructed the entrance door of the temple of Sudhmahadev. The holy spot near Patnitop, it is situated at an altitude of 1225 m above sea level. Pilgrims visit the shrine on the full moon night of the rainy season to worship the famous Trident and a mace, which is said to belong to Lord Shiva. The Devak stream originating at this place disappears magically among the rocks a few kilometers down stream. The temple has a natural black marble 'lingam' and Goddess Parvati mounted on Nandi. The 'Dhooni' (sacred fire) commemorates the spiritual attainments of Baba Roop Nath who is said to have attained Samadhi there. It is said to have been burning constantly ever since Baba Roop Nath is said to be residing in the temple.According to a popular legend, it is believed that Lord Shiva who was in his Samadhi (deep meditation) shot his big Trishul (trident) to protect his consort Uma startled suddenly by her loud cry. However, it was Shiva's devotee, Sudheet who approached Uma to pay his respectful obeisance and since he was a demon in his previous birth, his demoniac looks frightened her and she made a loud shriek. The trident however killed Sudheet. Shiva realized his mistake and offered to resuscitate him but Sudheet preferred the death given by Lord Shiva Himself. Touched by his devotion, Lord Shiva prefixed his name to the place forever and the broken trident in three pieces, is still installed in the temple.

PEER KHO CAVES

Peer Kho cave shrine of Lord Shiva is also known as "Jamawant Cave" is said to be the oldest historic place in the Shivalik region. Located amongst igneous rocks and acacia jungle in North-East of Jammu city on the circular road above Tawi river, the cave traces its history from the legends and myths connected with epic age. Peer Kho presently constitutes of two caves located at a depth of about 20 to 30 ft. below the surface of the temple complex. After descending a flight of marble steps the cave starts. On the right side, the height of the tunnel cave starts. On the right side, the height of the tunnel cave is about 4.5 ft to 5.0 ft. A normal person has to walk on bending while crossing the cave. The length of this portion is about 15 ft and breadth about 3 ft. After this tunnel comes a broader cave with black colored natural Shivlingam in the center. This pentagonal cave is about 12 ft. in height and about 12 ft. wide.

GAVI GANGADHARESHWARA TEMPLE

This ancient temple was cut out of the rock probably in the 9th century. It is a natural monolith rock formation with the cave temple carved out of it. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has four monolithic pillars and a rare idol of Agni, the God of fire. There are other idols inside including the idol of Agnimurthi, which has two heads, seven hands and three legs. Those worshipping this deity believe it will cure one of all eye defects. Thousands of devotees come in January every year on Makar sankranti Day to this cave temple. This is a special day when the sunrays fall on the Sivalinga for one hour as it passes between the horns of the Nandi. Such was the knowledge of architecture and astronomy that the ancient sculptors could craft the horns of the stone bull outside the temple so that the sun's rays would pass through its horns and light up the deity Shiva Linga inside the cave. The Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Bangalore is well known for a celestial event on 14 January every year, when the rays of the setting sun illuminate the idol of the deity inside a cave. The sun’s rays falling from the southwestern part of the temple pass through an arch and a couple of windows placed perpendicular to each other, and later through the horns of a ‘Nandi’, to fall on the idol of the temple for about 15 min (between 4:55 and 5:15 pm). For the astronomical construction of the temple check out this site.

http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/dec102008/1632.pdf

PATAL BHUVANESHWAR CAVE

Amidst of the beautiful mountains of Uttarakhand is this village in total silence, distinctively confronting the Himalayas. The earliest references of Patal Bhuvaneshwar temple can be seen in the Manaskhand 103rd Chapter of Skandpurana. Veda Vyasa, gave an elaborate description of this auspicious cave in the realms of earth where gods and goddesses rest. It is believed that at this place Gods visit Patal to worship Lord Shiva. This cave is a repository of various episodes of Hindu mythology. One has to bend and crawl, holding on to the supportive chains on the wall, to get inside the cave. In comparison to the narrow entrance, the inside of the cave is wide. As the original entrance was very narrow and dangerous an artificial entrance with some form of staircase was built, though many find even that is dangerous. Ringing the bell at the cave entrance( which is in the shape of Sheshnag’s hood ) one has to slide down the slimy moist throat of the great serpent (a slippery ladder of stony steps) with the help of ropes. Along the route, you can see many things like the claws and jaws of Lord Narsimha emerging out of the cave in natural rock. This was signifying the story Lord Narsimha and Hiranyakashipu. A heart-shaped rock referred to as Shiva’s wish-fulfilling kamandala (water pot),tree- shaped rock which was a representation of Kalpavriksha, which is supposed to grant wishes. The water drops coming out of them are whitish, it is a fine representation of milk. These drops fall over ‘Bharamkapali’. This is the representation of Brahma’s Skull. At the end of this staircase you see a spacious hall with some myriad rocks which the guide explains the mythology embedded in every piece of rock here. well-marked ribs of Sheshnag on the cave floor like steps for people to walk ( actually the back of Sheshnag). One can see the jaws of Shesnag on the roof. Each and every rock structure in the cave was narrating some or other tale of the Hindu mythology. The amazing part of these structures was that they all have been formed out of natural rock inside that dark cave. Excellent blog http://theemerald.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/patal-bhuvaneshwar/