Jatashankar Cave
Jatashankar (जटाशंकर) is a natural cave and Hindu shrine located north of Pachmarhi, in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Variants
- Jata Shankar (जटाशंकर)
Etymology
Jata Shankar (जटाशंकर) = Jata (जटा) + Shankara (शंकर). Jata means matted hair and Shankara is another name of Shiva.
Location
Jatashankar is located in a deep ravine with enormous boulders perched above. The cave contains stalagmites which are revered as naturally formed lingams.
The cave serves as a shrine to the deity Shiva and is a popular destination for pilgrims. There are two ponds fed by springs found in the locality, one of cold water and the other one of hot water. The cave structure is said to resemble the hundred-headed Shesha, the serpent-mount of Vishnu.[1]
Religious Importance
According to regional tradition, the Jatashankar caves are considered to be sacred due to their identification with the spot where Shiva is said to have concealed himself from the wrath of Bhasmasura.