Peer Kho Cave Temple, Jammu & Kashmir

The Peer Kho Cave Temple, also known as ‘Riksharaj Gufa’ is a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva situated on the banks of the Tawi River in the Shivalik Range of Jammu district, Jammu & Kashmir. In the backdrop of igneous rocks and acacia forests, the temple is believed to be constructed in the 15th Century AD by the Raja Ajaib Dev of the Dogra regime. This shrine was built in memory of Baba Siddha Gareeb Nath who is entitled as Peer among the locals. Also known as the ‘City of Temples’ by some, Jammu is a popular destination for pilgrimage with a boon of experiencing a heaven-like view in the form of its natural beauty.

The cave is around 20 to 30 feet below ground level, having a pink and high arched gateway with a white marble stair having a railing that leads to the temple complex and into a long verandah, with marble and mosaic flooring, which opens to another entrance on the opposite side from the Pacca Danga via Jullaka Mohalla. Shivlingam, which is the principal deity here, is on a rectangular platform made out of white marble. The black lingam is decorated with a Naga made out of copper and a silver sheet that covers the Jallari or Yoni, topped by a copper vessel called Kalash hanging to pour water continuously on the lingam.

According to Hindu Ithihas, it is believed that the history of this shrine dates back to the era of Ramayana which happened in the Treta Yuga. Riksharaj Jambavan, who was present during Samudra Manthana, is said to have meditated in this cave and that is how this shrine became popular as Riksharaj Gufa.  The pillared arched niches on the periphery of the wall and ceiling painted with Dogra style painting is similar to the motifs of Ram Nagar Palace complex in Udhampur District of Jammu province. The temple courtyard has a pedestal of the Tulsi plant, which also indicates a fine reflection of the Dogra style of architecture. A small opening on the left side that goes downwards gets you to the Nav Durga shrine where Nav Devis namely are Shri Mata Shelia Puri Devi, Shri Mata Bhadrachani Devi, Shri Mata Chandra Ghanta Devi, Shri Mata Sakandanatha Devi, Shri Mata Kushamandra Devi, Shri Mata Katyani Devi, Shri Mata Kalarathri Devi, Shri Mata Maha Devi, Shri Mata Siddi Devi are present in an attractive red robe on a long platform.

As the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mahashivratri, Purnima and Shravan Puranmashi are the major festivals celebrated here. A large number of devotees throng it on Amavasya, Ekadashi, and Rakshabandhan.