Shri Shirdi Sai Speaks-24th March/ Continuing our journey to the sacred shivlings around the world

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Shri Shirdi Sai Speaks-24th March/ Continuing our journey to the sacred shivlings around the world Posted: 24 Mar 2012 01:11 AM PDT Om Sai Ram ! Om Namaha Shivaya! If for some reason you are not able to see the below pictures or You wish to have access to all the previous Shirdi Sai speaks mails - go to http://debu7370.blogspot.com/ .And if any of you would like to receive these messages directly to your mailbox everyday-- Click Here to Subscribe to Sai Picture Gallery via Email For everything else related to Shri Shirdi Saibaba - Click Here I firmly believe that when I sit down with my lap top to compose the Shri Shirdi Sai Speaks mails --even though I have absolutely no idea what I am going to include along with the Message from the Teachings of Shirdi Sai--Its Baba himself who actually showers His kind grace on us everyday and blesses us with the darshan of sacred sites and pictures of the most beautiful and ancient temples . Its amazing to acknowledge His leela every single day when from no where I come across a temple which makes me believe in His presence. These beautiful temples have their own sacred stories assuring me that we human beings will come and go from this earth but the Devotion and His Divinity is there to stay forever..... I have a kind request to all of you who read these mails that if you ever get lucky and are able to visit these temples in reality- Plz do offer my Humble Pranams at these temples and thank the lord on my behalf for making us all feel his presence and His leelas around us.. Sai bhakt, Deepa H Incase you have missed the previous mails of our sacred journey of paying respects to the shivlings around the world go to... http://debu7370.blogspot.com/search/label/Shivlings%20around%20the%20world May Lord Shiva always bless us with his wonderful darshans. Its a pure bliss just watching his leelas around me. My Saakshaat Pranams with all my love, faith and devotion to my creator.. Lets all visit the Famous cave shrine of "Shivkhori" which is situated in District Reasi of J&K state .Shiv Khori is situated in between the hillocks about 140 km north of Jammu, 120 km from Udhampur and 80 km from Katra. It depicts the natural formation of shivlingum. It is one of the most venerated cave shrines of Lord Shiva in the region. The Holy cave houses 4 feet high Svayambhu Lingum, which constantly baths in a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling. The cave is full of natural impression & images of various Hindu Deities & full of divine feelings. That is why Shivkhori is known as "Home of Gods". Khori means cave (Guffa) and thus Shiv Khori denotes Shiva's cave. The cave is a real wonder to be seen which according to the people is unending and believed to have led to Swami Amar Nath cave in Kashmir. As per assessment of local people, it measures nearly half a kilometer in length but Yatries are allowed to go only upto 130 meters. Rest part of the cave is still a mystery as no one could go further due to lack of oxygen. It is believed that some Sadhus who dared to go ahead never returned. The cave is in the shape of Lord Shiva's Damroo i.e. wide at the two ends while very congested at the center The width of the cave is so less at certain place that a person can barely crawl through whereas at places it over a hundred feet wide and quite high too. There are many features, which can be observed in the cave; however, the best of them is the natural water dripping from the top to the Shivlingum. The opening of cave is a mammonth hall of nearly 20 feet wide and 22 feet height. It is nearly 80 feet in length.After crossing the narrow passage, yatry reaches in the main cave area where sanctum sanctorum is situated. There is no well-researched history about the Discovery of this Historic Shiva Cave and all history is based on various myths.Acoording to the two most important legends..... :: The Bhasmasur legend A number of legends have propounded about the discovery of this holy cave. One of the most important legends among them is related to famous demon Bhashmasur . Bhashmasur after a long meditation of Lord Shiva obtained blessing to end the life of any one by keeping his hand on his head. After obtaining it, the said devil tried to end the Lord Shiva. On seeing the evil design of the demon, the Lord Shiva ran alongwith Maa Parwati and Nandi cow to save himself from the power of the demon. While running when Bhashmasur was far behind lord Shiva stopped at a place near present Shivkhori for rest. But the demon reached there and started fighting with lord Shiva. A dreadful battle took place ther. Due to this famous battle that place was named as Ransoo (Ran= battle, Soo= Ground) means battle ground. Ransoo is now base camp for Shivkhori yatra. But, to keep dignity of his own blessings the Lord Shiva decided not to kill Bhashmasur and proceeded ahead. Then while running Lord Shiva threw his Trishul , which created the famous Shivkhori cave. Lord Shiva entered in this cave and gone into meditation. After this, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Parvati came forward and asked the demon to dance with her according to her tune. As and when the demon started dancing as per the actions of Parvati, the said demon took his hand at his head and with his own power, he was himself destroyed. After destruction of demon lord Vishnu alongwith other deities went inside the cave with the help of Kamdhenu . As per the legend 33 crores deities exist in this cave in shape of pindies. :: The Amarkatha Legend As per the other legend regarding discovery of this cave is that the historic Shiv Khori cave is believed to be discovered by a Muslim shepherded. He was infact in search of his missing goat and went by chance inside the cave to find the same. However he was very much startled to see a number of saints inside the cave, who were impressed by Lord Shiva's divine power and he too started pooja there. Later on the shepherd disclosed this to a number of other people in spite of his promise made with the saints not to disclose about them or this cave. It is said that the shepherd after narrating it to other people handled. According to the legends it is believed that a number of famous saints have been closely associated with this cave, who had spent decades inside this cave for spiritual attainment and meditation. While entering into this mesmerizing hall one can see the natural depiction of gigantic snake like formation believe to be Sheshnag. Pigeons are also seen here like Amarnath cave.  The main part of cave roof has round cutting mark signifying construction of cave by Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu.  The whole cave is abounds with a number of other natural images which have been described as images of 33 crores hindu deities and their vahanaas. Image of Kartikeya is also seen in left of Shivlingam. At nearly 2.5 feet above the Kartikeya, image of five headed Ganesha is clearly visible. To the right side of Shivlingam one can see Ramdarbar having images of Lord Ram, Lakhshman , Sita and Hanuman To the left of Shivlingam Maa Parwati is sitting whose image can be identified by impression of her holy feet. Along the image of Maa Parwati, Gauri kund is also visible which is always full of holy water. 'Three pronged lance' (Trishul) 'Oum' and 'Six Mouthed Sheshnaga' (Shkshthamukhi Sheshnag) are seen on the roof of the cave The open part of cave has a four feet high naturally formed Shiv-lingam at the heart of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Just above the shivlingam a cow like formation is visible believe to be Kamdhenu and can be identified by her udders. The natural water dripping from nipples of udders on the Shivlingum symbolizes the eternity of the holy river Ganga. It is believed that milk used to ooze out during old days but turned into water in Kaliyuga. Here water leaks naturally from the top of cave and exactly on top of this sacred shivling which is another example of miracle of lord shiva. My Humble Pranams to this Holy Shivling..May this sacred Shivling in the Shiv Khori cave fill our lives with the leelas of Lord Shiva.. Quote of BABA: Being quite desire less, you should meditate on the Lord who is in all the creatures and when the mind is concentrated, the goal will be achieved