Significance and Glory of Mahashivratri
Shivaratri is considered to be of great importance in Hinduism, although Shivratri occurs in every month of the year, but Shivaratri falling in the month of Falgun is known as Mahashivratri and it is celebrated as a very sacred festival in Hinduism. People believe that on the day of Mahashivratri, the union of Shiva Shakti took place or the marriage of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati took place. There are many beliefs and mythological stories about Mahashivratri. According to the first story, there is a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma over the superiority at the time of the creation of the universe, only then a fire pillar appears and there is an Akashvani that the one who will find out its beginning and end, is considered superior. But no one could not find its beginning and end even after trying for millions of years. Brahma, the creator of the universe and Vishnu, the creator of the universe, asked the pillar of fire to tell the secret. On this Lord Shiva said that both of you are superior but I am Parabrahma beyond the beginning and the end. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma offered prayers. The day of this incident was Chaturdashi of Falgun month. Lord Shiva said that whoever does my fasting on this day, all his troubles will be removed and his wishes will be fulfilled. From that day itself, this day is celebrated as Mahashivratri. According to another belief, on the day of Chaturdashi of Falgun month, Lord Shiva has appeared in the form of Shivling at 64 places, out of which only 12 are known so far, which are known as Jyotirlinga. According to a third story, Lord Shiva's and mother Parvati was married on the day of Mahashivratri and Lord Shiva had entered the householder's ashram, for this reason this day is also celebrated as Mahashivratri. It is only after Mahashivratri that pilgrimage journey started to all the major places of Lord Shiva in India. Such as: Baba Amarnath Yatra (Jammu Kashmir), Buddha Amarnath Yatra (Jammu Kashmir), Kedarnath Yatra (Uttarakhand), Manimahesh Yatra (Himachal Pradesh) etc. On the day of Mahashivratri, there is a huge crowd of devotees at a place called Shivkhori, here various types of langar are arranged by the people, so that the pilgrims can enjoy the journey of Lord Bholenath by taking the langar. This place is about 120km from Jammu city. Situated in the middle of the mountains, Shivkhori is a very beautiful cave. It is believed that Lord Shiva resides in this wonderful cave with his entire family and it is also believed that the way to the cave leads directly to the heavenly world as there are also stairs leading to the heavenly world inside the cave. Although you must have heard the name of Baba Amarnath, but Shivkhori, the place of Lord Shiva, also has a great importance. Although it can be visited at any time throughout the year, but on the occasion of Mahashivratri, two lakh devotees come here every year. It is believed that if you take the Darshan of this cave/temple, then you are sure to go to heaven and at the same time the other end of this cave goes straight towards Baba Amarnath cave. Within this cave there is a natural Shivalinga of 4 feet. The drops of nectar, that is, drops of Ganges water, continuously drip on this Shivling. According to ancient legends, earlier the stream of milk used to fall continuously on this Shivling, because Kamdhenu cow's udder is also at the upperside of this Shivling. According to a legend, Bhasmasura was killed by Lord Shiva in Shivkhori. Bhasmasura pleased Bholenath by worshiping Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased and granted him a boon that the person on whose head, he lays his hand, would be faced to death. Hearing this, he became arrogant and thought why not put his hand on Lord Bholenath's head and burn Lord Shiva to ashes. When Lord Shiva came to know about his mind, then he ran away from there. Bhasmasura also started chasing them, fleeing Lord Shiva made a cave by putting a trident in the hills of Shivkhori to save himself from Bhasmasura. When Lord Shiva saw that he was being followed by him, he take the shape of Mohini(Beautiful girl) and came out of the cave and started dancing. As soon as Lord Shiva placed his hand on his head while dancing, Bhasmasura followed him and placed his hand on his head and the same was killed. Lord Shiva is seated in this cave in the form of Ardha Narishvara. The base camp of Shivkhori can be reached from Ransu by any vehicle from Jammu, Katra, Udhampur or any other place. From the base camp to the cave, there is a simple uphill walk of about four kilometres. Apart from this, the service of horse, palanquin is also available. All kinds of facilities have been provided by Shri Shivkhori Shrine Board Ransu in the pilgrimage route. Along with water system, toilets have also been made here. A locker has also been arranged outside the cave. If you are going somewhere in Jammu and Kashmir for tourism, then go to Shivkhori and make your life successful by visiting this very holy place of Lord Bholenath.
Har Har Mahadev
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