Shiv Khori Cave Shrine
Shiva, worshipped as a naturally formed (svayambhu) linga in a cave temple · Ransoo (base camp), Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Shiv Khori is a natural cave shrine of Shiva in the hills of Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. 'Khori' means cave, so the name simply means 'Shiva's cave'. Inside, devotees worship a naturally formed Shiva lingam over which water containing lime drips from the roof. The cave lies above Ransoo village in the Pouni block, the base camp for the pilgrimage.
The shrine is managed by the Shiv Khori Shrine Board, which is headed by the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC). Once known mainly in the surrounding districts, it now draws very large numbers of pilgrims, many of whom combine the journey with a visit to Vaishno Devi. Its biggest event is a three-day mela at Maha Shivratri.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Shiv Khori Cave Shrine
The cave's interior is the focus of devotion. A Ministry of Tourism event listing for the shrine describes a self-formed (svayambhu) lingam about four feet high that is constantly bathed by a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling, and notes that the cave is called the 'home of gods' because of its many natural formations. Daily Excelsior and JKTDC describe formations that devotees see as Parvati, Ganesha and Nandi, snake-like shapes on the roof over the lingam, and, according to belief, the presence of the 33 crore deities of Hindu tradition in the form of natural pindis.
Several legends are told about the cave. According to the story recounted in Daily Excelsior, the demon Bhasmasura received from Shiva a boon to end the life of anyone, and then turned on Shiva himself; Shiva took refuge in this cave until Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, made the demon dance to her tune until he placed his hand on his own head and was destroyed. Devotees also read a round mark on the cave roof as the cut of Vishnu's Sudarshan chakra, and a six-headed Sheshnag and a trident in the rock.
Another tradition, also reported by Daily Excelsior, says the cave was discovered by a shepherd searching for a lost goat, who found sages meditating inside. A popular belief holds that one branch of the inner passage once led to the Amarnath cave in Kashmir and has since been closed. These are matters of faith rather than verified history.
Heritage
History of Shiv Khori Cave Shrine
Little is recorded about the early history of worship at the cave. Wikipedia and Daily Excelsior both note that a few decades ago it was known to relatively few pilgrims from outside the district. The Shiv Khori Shrine Board was set up in December 2003, according to Wikipedia, and pilgrim numbers have since risen sharply; Daily Excelsior estimates that about 30 per cent of visitors come from within Jammu and Kashmir and 70 per cent from elsewhere in India. The Reasi district administration describes the cave as attracting close to 20 lakh pilgrims a year.
The Shrine Board has built a guest house, reception centre and pony shed at Ransoo, a tiled track of about 3 km to the cave, shelter sheds and other facilities, and has electrified the cave and provided oxygen supply and exhaust fans, according to Daily Excelsior and Wikipedia. To ease crowding, especially during the Shivratri mela, the Board also built a separate exit tunnel from the cave. Wikipedia reports that a proposed ropeway of about 2.1 km to the shrine was still at the project stage in 2025.
Architecture and sacred features
Shiv Khori is a natural cave rather than a built temple. Daily Excelsior and JKTDC describe it as about 200 metres long, about one metre wide and two to three metres high (the Ministry of Tourism listing gives a length of more than 150 metres). The outer chamber at the first entrance is wide enough to hold about 300 devotees at a time, while the passage to the inner chamber is low and narrow, so that pilgrims must stoop or turn sideways to reach the sanctum.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The walk from Ransoo is through hilly terrain, and the inner passage of the cave is low and narrow, so the visit may be difficult for those with claustrophobia, breathing or mobility problems. Crowds are heaviest during the Maha Shivratri mela and in Shravan. Confirm current arrangements, registration requirements and weather conditions with the Shiv Khori Shrine Board or the Reasi district administration before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board, Ransoo (chaired by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, per JKTDC) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Shiv Khori Cave Shrine
Shiv Khori Mela (Maha Shivratri)
A three-day mela held on the eve of Maha Shivratri, centred on Ransoo village, with worship at the cave, a procession, cultural programmes and stalls; devotees bathe in the Devak stream (per Daily Excelsior and the Reasi district administration).
Shivkhori Shravan Mahotsav
An annual festival organised at Ransoo by the Jammu tourism directorate with the Shrine Board and district administration, with bhajans, Shiv Purana katha and a havan (per the Ministry of Tourism event listing for 2023).
Location
How to Reach Shiv Khori Cave Shrine
JKTDC gives the shrine as about 140 km north of Jammu, 120 km from Udhampur and 80 km from Katra. Buses and light vehicles go up to Ransoo, from where pilgrims walk about 3 to 3.5 km on a mountain track to the cave; ponies and palanquins can be hired, according to Daily Excelsior. Daily Excelsior also notes an alternative road route from Jammu via Akhnoor.
Location: Ransoo (base camp), Reasi, Jammu & Kashmir, India
More in Hindu temples in Jammu & Kashmir · Shiva, worshipped as a naturally formed (svayambhu) linga in a cave temples
Questions
Shiv Khori Cave Shrine: Frequently Asked Questions
What does Shiv Khori mean?
'Khori' means cave, so Shiv Khori means 'Shiva's cave'. It is a natural cave containing a self-formed Shiva lingam.
Where is Shiv Khori?
In the Pouni block of Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, above Ransoo village, about 80 km from Katra and 140 km from Jammu according to JKTDC.
How long is the walk to Shiv Khori?
From Ransoo, the base camp, pilgrims walk about 3 to 3.5 km on a mountain track. Ponies and palanquins are available.
How big is the Shiv Khori cave?
Daily Excelsior and JKTDC describe it as about 200 m long, about 1 m wide and 2–3 m high, with an outer chamber that holds about 300 people and a low, narrow passage to the inner sanctum.
When is the Shiv Khori mela?
A three-day mela is held every year on the eve of Maha Shivratri, in February or March.
Who manages Shiv Khori?
The Shiv Khori Shrine Board, set up in December 2003, which is chaired by the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu.
What is the legend of Shiv Khori?
According to legend, Shiva hid in this cave from the demon Bhasmasura until Vishnu, as Mohini, tricked the demon into destroying himself.
Sources and attribution
- District Reasi, Government of Jammu & Kashmir — Shiv Khori (Ransoo)
- Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation — About Shiv Khori
- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (Utsav portal) — Shivkhori Shravan Mahotsav 2023
- Daily Excelsior — Shiv Khori Mela – a socio-religious congregation (Dr Banarsi Lal)
- Wikipedia — Shiv Khori
Further reading: Shiv Khori Cave Shrine on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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