Shivaling Caves?

chAos

I was browsing the Nest & Wings map of Uttarakhand, and saw a notation for a Shivaling Cave between Lansdowne and Kotdwar.
This piqued my interest as I recently had a dream involving a Shivaling Cave, the Government of India and cameras. …
Now I’ve got to know more.

I thought that maybe since it was marked on the map that it might not be very common, but I did an online search and found out about several:

This one, from Outlooktraveller.com:
The famous Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir, ~140 km from Srinagar
From Wikipedia: One in Madhya Pradesh (in Satpura National Park/near Pachmarhi?):
It seems that there are plenty more as well:
~Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Kalinjar Fort, Uttar Pradesh
~Gavi Gangadhareshwara Guhe (Cave Temple) in Bangalore
~Arvalem Caves in Goa
~Ellora in Maharashtra

So, my questions:
Is any cave temple with a shivaling in it considered a Shivaling Cave? Or is there something else that would designate it such?
Is it possible to list them all, or are they very common and too many of them to do so?
Which are the most remarkable ones?

ananda2193

I really can't answer your questions, but here's one in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas that was interesting when I was there 10 years ago.

http://www.patalbhuvaneshwar.com/

chAos

Thanks ananda!

Sadanand Kamath

In the book Trekking in Pakistan and India by Huge Swift, there is a mention of an ice lingam cave near Khatling Glacier similar to that of Amarnath in Kashmir. The author says that only the local porter/guide can point out the location if it exists.

Sadanand

__________________
Main Jindagi ka sath nibhata chala gaya

chAos

Apparently there are only something like 45 days a year wherein people can make a pilgrimage to Amarnath. Has anybody done it? Are foreigners allowed?

Amitava343

The Amarnath cave is open from end June till end August. The best time to see the natural Shiva formation is end june. There is no restrictions on foreigners as far as I know.
There are two routes to go the cave:
Shrinagar Baltal by car,bus
Baltal to Amarnath in one day Steep climb. Not much beauty on this route.

The pilgrims route
1.Jammu to Phalgam by Car,
2.Phalgam to Chandanbari buses avaiable, also jeep etc, no booking at peak pilgrim times always full. Beautiful scenery
3.Chandanbari to Sheshnag on foot. Big Lake of Sheshnag at Sheshnag. Beautiful sceneic beauty all along
4.Sheshnag to Pancatarani via the Mahagunas Pass at an height of over 15000 feet.
5.Panchatarani to Cave 3 to 5 Kilometres.
The entire trip is controlled by the security persons. If they give permission the trip opens every day or else you are stuck at Phalgam or Baltal.
There are Langars (free kitchens providing very good vegeterian food) all along the Pilgrims ways, upto Amarnath. Tents are avaialble at a price at all the stops and at Phalgam and Baltal also Amarnath.(Rs 100-150)
If you are prone to height sickness better not to go by by the Baltal route.

Helicopter trips at Rs. 10000 or above per trip have to book in advance. Trip and back within the hour.


Remember:
Man proposes God Disposes.(Its his house you are going to respect it as it is, only if he wishes can you go)

I would also suggest Koteshwar about 5 kilometers from Rudraprayag. There are as the name suggests one crore Shivkingums some even on the floor of black and brow in colour. Rudraprayag is in Uttaranchal. The caves are apprachable by jeep from Rudraprayag.

Patalbhubaneshwar is a wonder world inside. You have to see it if you can.

chAos

Thank you for the information Amitava!

Gametotravel

Vaishno Devi Cave said to be second only to Amarnath Ling formation:-

http://www.indianholidaymaker.com/va...ata-tours.html -

grizzlyofalaska

I too am planning a trip here this summer, early June or may end. Depends on opening date.

I am facinated by the mythology of this cave. I am doing my research for now, do feel free to email me on ssandhu321@aol.com to further exchange notes.

Thanks

grizzlyofalaska

Thank you, very helpful. I too am planning a trip. I am traveling alone from London. I am of Indian origin. Wondering if one can travel alone to these places? Also is the openign date a fixed date? can i not travel to Amarnath in June?

Would you recommend to get a guide if i am on my own?

Thanks

ananda2193

Though I've never done that trek, I really don't think you will be alone. Appearantly thousands of people do it every year so you'll probably have a few hundred other pilgrims to keep you company.

As far as a guide is concerned, just follow the litter.