Jammu city truly deserves the title of the city of temples, as you can find temples, shrines, and other religious sites in every corner. These places of worship symbolize mutual brotherhood and communal harmony, attracting people from various faiths. One of the oldest and most renowned temples is the cave shrine of Peerkho, located near Panjthrithi in Jammu. It draws a large number of devotees, especially on Purnimashi, Amavaysa, Eakadashis, and Soomwars (Mondays), who come to pay their respects to Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. This cave temple is a significant pilgrimage site, often bustling with visitors. Many believe that their wishes are granted by visiting this cave and honoring Lord Shiva, whose natural idol is enshrined there. As one of the oldest temples in the city, it experiences a considerable influx of devotees on auspicious days. Additionally, the shrine sees a large number of worshippers during major festivals in Jammu, such as Shivratri, Raksha Bandhan, and Shraven Purnimashi. Primarily a Shiva temple, the Shiva lingam is situated inside a moderately sized cave, creating a serene atmosphere. The idol is beautifully etched in white marble on a rectangular platform.
The black stone lingam is adorned with a copper snake, known as Naga in Hindi, while a sheet of silver covers the Jallari or Yoni. An overhead copper vessel is suspended to continuously pour water over the lingam. Evidence suggests that this temple was constructed during the reign of the Dogra rulers, as the lower part of the lingam and some other features closely resemble those of the Purmandal temple, which was also built during the Dogra era. The Peer Mitha and Peer Kho temples are considered medieval gems of the city of Jammu. According to historical records, the temple was established in the 15th century AD under the rule of Raja Ajhaib Dev, in honor of the saint Siddha Ghareeb Nath. These caves are located underground at a heart-wrenching depth of twenty to thirty feet. The Peer Kho cave is situated along the banks of the Suriputri River Tawi, and it is widely believed that a figure named Jamvant, revered as the bear god, meditated in this cave.
This temple is located near the Panchbaskhtar temple and the Ranbireshwar temple, both dedicated to Lord Shiva and situated along the river Tawi. Also referred to as the Jawvant cave, these caves rest on a platform of igneous rocks, interspersed with sedimentary deposits from the river, and are positioned along a circular road in the Northeast of Jammu city, surrounded by acacia trees. The peer Kho temple features a spacious courtyard with three Shikharas—two on the left side and one on the right. The Shikharas showcase a blend of modern and traditional designs. The stairs leading to the temple are adorned with a tall, pink arched gateway. The marble-floored stairs are complemented by elegant railings along the edges. Additionally, the temple boasts a long verandah with marble and mosaic flooring, along with another entrance accessible from Pacca Danga via Jullaka Mohalla.
The dome of the temple is designed like an inverted lotus and is a modern stone structure. This dome acts as the entrance to the cave and is adorned with stunning ceiling paintings that reflect a strong Mughal and Dogra influence, featuring floral motifs at the dome's entrance. The artwork closely resembles the designs found in the Ram Nagar palace complex, located in the Udhampur district of Jammu province. Within the temple's courtyard, there is also a shrine dedicated to Devi, which features a white marble miniature temple adorned with beautiful images of a goddess encased in glass. The courtyard includes a Tulsi plant on a pedestal, reminiscent of the architectural style seen in the Zorawar Singh residence and the Ram Nagar palace. At the center of the temple, there is a unique shrine that continuously emits smoke. The entire temple is constructed on an artificial elevated platform to protect it from potential floods from the Tawi River. A small opening leads from the round dome entrance to a low-level passage that connects to the Amarnath cave, which also houses a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Another entrance leads to the Nav Durga shrine, which features a temple adorned with life-sized idols of Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, Sita, and various other deities. Nearby, there is a locality known as Peer Kho Mohalla, home to a memorial for an ancient figure named Peer Shiv Nath, situated directly across from the shrine. To the right of the Peer Kho temple, there is a small temple dedicated to Shani Devta. In the local dialect, "Kho" means cave, which is how the name Peer Kho originated. Historical records suggest that the Peer Mitha and Peer Kho temples were established in the 18th century AD for the Peer Saint Siddha Ghareeb Nath during the reign of Raja Ajaib Dev. The atmosphere during festivals is filled with joy and a sense of community, as devotees come together in a spirit of brotherhood and love. In summary, visitors are encouraged to explore this cave temple, offer their respects, and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
(Vivek Koul)
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