Jatashankar is the natural cave, a Hindu shrine located north of Pachmarhi, in Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Cave is located in the deep ravine, with enormous boulders perched above. Cave contains stalagmites revered as naturally formed lingams. Cave serves as a shrine to the God Shiva and is the popular destination for pilgrims. Jata means hair and Shankar are another name of Lord Shiva. There are two different types of little pond, fed by springs, found in the locality, one of cold water and the other one of hot water.
Shrine’s History
Jata Shankar Cave is a prominent religious destination, visited by tourists year-round. As per mythological belief, Lord Shiva hid inside the cave, due to the fear of demon Bhasmasur. Inside the cave, there are naturally formed 108 Shiva lingam. Water in the cave flows from an unknown point as no one has ever seen or reached that starting point. This stream of water is popularly known as ‘Gupt Ganga’.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
The legend goes that the Bhasmasur was the devotee of Shiva and wanted to get a special ability – to turn anyone into ashes by touching the head of a victim by hand. After long entreating Shiva agreed. But now the former devotee turned into an enemy – Bhasmasur wanted to test this ability on Shiva first. Shiva escaped through a tunnel from Tilak Sindur and finally reached remote cave – Jata Shankar. While running through the cave he lost his hair.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
For a Pachmarhi trip by bus, there are various buses operating from Bhopal, Nagpur, Hashangabad, Pipariya and Chhindwaraeveryday to Pachmarhi. The Madhya Pradesh State Transport Development Corporation has regular buses that ply to Pachmarhi
By Rail
The Pipariya is the nearest railway station to Pachmarhi that is located at just 47 kilometres from Panchmarhi
By Air
There are no direct Pachmarhi flights and one should go to either Bhopal or Jabalpur, the closest airports to Pachmarhi
Shrine Timings
7 AM to 7 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Shivaratri
