Peer Kho Cave Temple - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 5 km from Jammu Railway Station, Peer Kho Cave Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in the city of Jammu. Situated amid an acacia forest, it is one of the oldest temples in the city and among the must-visit religious places in Jammu.

Overlooking the Tawi River, the Peer Kho Cave Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. During the reign of Raja Biram Dev of Jammu (1454 - 95) a famous saint Guru Garib Nath belonging to the Guru Gorakh Nath order came to Jammu and resided at Peer Kho. Kho means cave in the local dialect. He came to be known as Peer-i-Kho and thus with time, the cave got its name. The cave is also known as the Jamwant Cave as it is believed to be the place where the bear God Jamvant, a prominent character in the Ramayana meditated. Another interesting part is that the locals even believe that the cave does not just lead to other caves but parts outside the country.

With an ensemble of three shikharas, the temple has a large-sized courtyard and three caves dedicated to Lord Shiva, Navadurga, and Jambavant. The dome of the temple is an inverted lotus that serves as an entrance to the cave and is ornamented with beautiful paintings on the ceilings which resemble a strong and stark Mughal and Dogra influence with floral motifs at the center of the dome. There is a small opening from the domed entrance leading to a passage with a low ceiling to the Jambavant Cave on the right which also has a temple of Lord Shiva. It is said that there is an opening of a cave dug by Jambavant during his time here which leads to Amarnath Cave. The temple houses a swayambhu lingam and the people of Jammu worship this lingam with a lot of reverence.

An opening on the left side leads to the Navadurga shrine which further leads to the Navadurga Cave. There are beautiful statues of Devi in her nine glorious forms dressed in bright red sarees. There is an eternal Gorakhnath dhunni placed in the center of the temple courtyard. There is a Shani Devata temple within the complex which is revered by locals. A huge Shivlingam has been constructed on the lawns outside the main temple. This entire temple is built on an elevated platform to safeguard it from possible floods.

Maha Shivratri is the main event celebrated every year with much fervor. Besides, people throng this sacred place on Amavasya, Ekadashi, Purnima, and in the month of Shravan. Locals say that the morning and evening aarti is a divine visual spectacle and not to be missed.

Timings: 5 AM - 7 PM

Entry: Free