Jata Shankar Mandir
Jata shankar Mandir is famed as Jata Shankara
among the people. It is nestled in the north of Pachmarhi, in Hoshangabad
district of Madhya Pradesh in India. The Jata Shankar Temple in Panchmarhi is
one of the most renowned holy temples. JataShankara is derived from Jata means
hair and Shankar is another name of Lord Shiva. The speciality is that it has
two different kinds of ponds inside the main temple area, one is of cold water
and the other one is of hot water. Jatashankar also got the name- after the
matted locks of the Lord Shiva who streamed to a water falls on the top of the
cave to form the Jambu River.
People say that it is a natural and the
eminent cave where Lord Shiva’s beautiful deity is placed. This Cave is
situated in a deep and narrow lane with broad boulders landed above and has
magnificent lingam inside it. Cave serves as a shrine to the God Shiva and is
popular destination for pilgrims. This distinguished holy place of Lord Shiva
is a centre who are religiously inclined as well as for the nature lovers.
MahaShivratri is celebrated among the local devotees and the tourists with a great
fervour, devotion and zeal every year. A fest (fair) has been organised by the
local devotees and the organisers to celebrate this big festival annually. Devotees
observe fast on this night and do not eat anything till night and offer fruits,
flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga. This notable pilgrimage is decorated
with flowers and lights and has a spiritual environment which gives peace of
mind and heart to the pilgrims.
