Introduction

The cave shrine of Peer Kho ( Khoh) is located by the river bank of the Tawi in a rock face on the Circular Road. A local belief is that the deity and character of the Ramayana, Jambavanta meditated in this cave. Jambavanta is considered to have been a bear and as a character of the Ramayana, he was one of the immortal beings who helped Rama rescue his wife from her abductor, Ravana.

One of the many legends associated with Jambavanta is that when the great Churning of the Ocean took place and creation as we know it took shape, he was the son of Brahma the Creator and existed before humans came into being. One story told of him is that he killed a mighty lion who had acquired the rare gem known as Syamantaka and this gem went from hand to hand, from legend to legend, from power-play to power-play and is now known as the Koh-i-noor – the diamond that is still a part of the crown jewels of Great Britain. It is also surmised by some that the city of Jammu was named after Jambavanta.

The shrine has a large naturally formed lingam, the embodiment of Bhagwan Shiva. There is no known history of how this came to be enshrined in the cave but it has considerable veneration. One of the stories of the cavern is that it leads to other cave shrines in the country and some state that its unexplored recesses even lead out of India!

While there is a steady throng of devotees to this picturesque shrine throughout the year, the place is fairly overwhelmed on Shivaratri – which is normally celebrated in February and coincides with the thirteenth night and fourteenth day of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna. On that day the thousands come dressed in finery to pay obeisance at the shrine.

Special Attributes

Unusual cave shrine

Nuisance

None as such

Dressing restrictions

Conservative

Connectivity

Taxis, auto-rickshaws and walking

Enjoyed by

Religious and general interest

Exposure

None indoors

Avoidable Season

None

Facilities

Basic

Things Not Allowed

No leather items or within the temple.

Tip

Do not carry your cameras as photography is not permitted within the cave.

Type of site

Temple