5/5 Asis C. 2 years ago on Google
Shivgadi,
about
30
km
from
Barharwa
town
in
Jharkhand
via
Barhaich
town,
is
a
very
important
Shiva
shrine.
The
shrine
is
not
man-made,
but
a
huge
cave
in
the
mountains.
A
motorable
road
goes
up
to
the
base
of
the
mountains.
At
the
base
of
the
mountain,
there
are
few
shops
and
guest
houses
(Dharamshala).
From
here,
a
long
flight
of
190
steps
go
up
to
the
cave.
There
is
a
beautiful
gate
at
the
start,
decorated
with
idols
of
gods
and
a
huge
snake.
Once
you
start
to
climb
the
stairs,
don't
forget
to
enjoy
the
natural
beauty
all
around.
The
mountains
are
covered
with
trees,
and
depending
on
the
season,
you
can
see
Shimul
and
other
flowers
bloom
in
thousands.
Once
at
the
top
of
the
flight,
you
are
at
the
entrance
to
a
huge
cave.
There
are
gates
to
enter
the
cave.
From
the
top
of
the
mountain
directly
above
the
cave,
a
fountain
cascades
down.
During
monsoon,
the
flow
of
water
increases,
and
the
pilgrims
get
a
natural
shower
while
entering
the
cave.
Inside
the
cave,
which
has
an
average
height
of
about
6
feet,
there
are
several
spots
where
Shivalingams
and
idols
of
Ganesha
and
Parvati
are
placed.
But
the
main
attraction
is
the
Swayambhu
(self-manifest)
Shivalingam
of
the
Lord.
Shiva
is
known
here
as
"Gajeshwara"
Shiva,
as
here
Shiva
killed
the
Elephant
demon
Gajasura.
There
are
no
disturbing
Panda-s
(priests)
here,
unless
you
invite
one
to
perform
the
rituals.
So,
you
can
have
your
chance
to
perform
the
rituals
all
by
yourself,
which
is
deeply
satisfying.
There
is
an
additional
point
of
interest.
From
the
cave
(which
is
at
the
mid
level
of
the
mountains),
you
can
climb
another
flight
of
stairs
(360
steps
this
time)
to
reach
the
top
of
the
mountain
where
there
is
a
big
rock
with
two
depressed
areas
which
are
said
to
be
created
by
the
hoofs
of
Nandi
the
Bull,
the
Vahana
(vehicle)
of
Lord
Shiva.
The
climb
is
a
bit
tough,
but
if
you
can
go
up,
you
will
be
blessed
by
the
serene
beauty
of
the
surrounding
area.
As
a
whole,
a
visit
to
Shivgadi
is
a
worthy
one,
both
for
the
devotees
as
well
as
the
less
religious.
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