International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 5 Issue 6, September-October 2021 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Tracing the Growth of Shaivaism in Jammu

Kuljeet Singh
PhD Research Scholar, Department of History, University of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Kuljeet Singh

Within the larger pantheon of Hinduism, Shaivism is one of the "Tracing the Growth of Shaivaism in
major religious sects that worship Shiva as the Supreme Being. It is Jammu" Published
the one of the old religions of the east and is also known as one of the in International
prominent religious cults of India. The doctrine which centers on the Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research
philosophical aspect of Rudra Shiva goes back through ages and it
and Development
developed and flourished with time. Shaivism is not a single cult but (ijtsrd), ISSN:
a mixture of different cults. From prehistoric times down to the early 2456-6470, IJTSRD47536
centuries of the Christian era the annals of this cult was unluckily not Volume-5 | Issue-6,
prominent. The history of this cult may be traced to the beginnings of October 2021, pp.926-928, URL:
human civilization on earth, like the cult of mother Goddess. Both www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd47536.pdf
emerged from the fertility cult. The earliest historical record to the
worship of Shiva was given by Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, at Copyright © 2021 by author (s) and
Pataliputra about 300B.C. Dionysus and Herakles, two deities International Journal of Trend in
generally identified with Siva and Krishna respectively were Scientific Research and Development
described by him. In the Mahabhashya, Patanjali gave the reference Journal. This is an
Open Access article
to the Shiva-bhagavatas and also describes the images of Shiva and
distributed under the
Skanda being sold by Mauryas to raise money in the time of crisis terms of the Creative Commons
during second century B.C. This shows the popularity of this cult. In Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
this paper we would try to understand the evolution of Shaiva (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
religion in the ambits of Jammu region.
KEYWORDS: Hinduism, Shaivism, Shivabhagwatas, Skanda,
Dionysus, Herakles, Megasthenes etc

The first sedentary settlement in Jammu region is said which acclaims that Rishi Vashisht said that the
to be of the people who were called as Pisachas. A sphere or area between river Iravati (M. Ravi), and
reference occurs in Puranas quoting Rishi Vashisht Chandarbhaga (M. Chenab) was of those inhabitants
that inhabitants of the area line between river Ravi which were the worshippers of phallus or Lingam.
(ancient Iravati) and Chenab (Chanderbhaga) were The area was latter frequented by different tribes and
the worshippers of phallus. Later Nagas, Yakshas and there was an intermingling of the people of different
Khasas also inhabited this belt now called Jammu. origins here and subsequently Nagas, Yakshas and
But ultimately they were defeated by the Aryans who Khasas became the inhabitants of this place which we
entered this belt from different sides, most probably call as Jammu as of now. But during the latter phase
via Punjab and Shivalik range of hills. With the when Aryan hordes came here and these tribes had to
advent of Aryans, local tribes accepted the dominance fight with them for their survival but penultimately
of the invaders and this way the religion, culture and they had to give up and accept the Aryan dominance
the way of life of the local tribals was changed. Later, in every sphere of their life. After the arrival of the
several shrines of Aryan’s God were also built. Thus Aryans and their victory here the local culture gave
the worship of Phallus is related to God Shiva. Shiva way to the dominant one and the lifestyle of the local
is popularly worshipped in Phallus or Linga form. As tribes changed. Consequently, shrines of Vedic deities
already mentioned Linga is the universal emblem of were made and local Gods were kind of pushed back
Shiva worship. and relegated. But the phallus worship which was the
…. The river Devika holds a very prominent place in trait of pre-aryan people here still found prominence
this region and is considered to be as holy as river and a very honorable place in the new regime. As we
Ganga. We find the mention of Devika in classical already know that phallus worship is associated with
Vedic literature and it is quoted by many great seers Lord Shiva and even with changing rule it did not lost
and sages. There is a reference in Puranic literature its momentum and was still revered as it is revered
today.

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The large number of Siva shrines in the area reflected anthropomorphic form and icon of Nandi is always
the development of Saivism in the region. As the accompanied in Linga form.
early myths disclose, Siva worship seems to have
NATH CULT IN JAMMU
been the ancient doctrine of the people of Jammu. Nath cult, one of the most important doctrines in this
Shiva was worshipped both in his anthropomorphic region is another variant of Saivism. “The followers
and Linga (phallus) form but Linga worship is of Gorakhnath are known as Yogi, as Gorakhnathi,
popular in Jammu. The two chief god of the Hindu and as Darsani, but most distinctively as Kanphatas.
Pantheon which were worshipped by the people of The first of these names refers to their traditional
Jammu are Shiva and Vishnu, around whom faith in practice of the Hatha yoga, the second to the name of
several minor gods, goddesses and household deities their reputed founder, the third to the huge ear-rings
was woven. ……The oldest cave shrine of the Jammu which are one of their distinctive marks, and fourth to
is Pir Khoh, which is dedicated to lord Shiva. It is their unique practice of having the cartilage of their
believed that this cave remained Jamawant’s abode ears split for the insertion of the ear-rings”. This
since he left Ayodhya. Thus this cave is as old as esoteric cult, affirmed by the split-ear yogi
Ramayana because Jamawant belonged to this period. mendicants, practicing hathyoga and wearing kundala
There are many legends related to the cave. (earrings), throughout northern, central and western
According to them Jamawant came to this part of India is now called as the Nath cult. The term Nath
Himalaya’s to live rest of his life and choosed this meaning master and women who belongs to this sect
cave for meditation. He established a Shivlingam are similarly called Nathni. The origin of this cult on
inside the cave. Sudh Mahadev and Buddha Amarnth the basis of material available was north –east
of Mandi (Punch) are the most ancient temples found Bengal. From this area Nath cult spread to other parts
in this region and these shrines are alspo devoted to of the country. The well known master of the cult is
god Shiva. Svayambhu Siva-lingam, a black marble Machhandar Nath and Gorakh Nath. They have many
image of lord Siva and his consort Parvati, mounted sub-sects and elected their ‘mahantas’ who ruled over
on their Nandi bull and huge trishul of iron was found different monasteries. The term Yogis is used for the
at Sudh Mahadev. On that trident, a Sanskrit lay followers of this cult in this region who formed a
inscription is found which disclosed that the Trident separate caste. Their main occupation was bardic,
belonged to the time of Naga rulers. These Naga singing bars or ballads of various legends of local
rulers were contemporary of Guptas and may be these mystics or heroes or heroines, satis and martyrs. They
inscriptions and temple belonged to fifth or sixth were commemorated in the form of thans or small
century A.D. Buddha Amarnath in Punch has its great shrines to which they were associated. And these
importance, those people who were unable to go to yogis collect alms from various villages in the name
Amarnath shrine in Kashmir satisfy their desire by of the thanas to which they were faithful.
visiting this temple. Hari-Hara temple which is also
known as Mahabilakesvara temple is another ancient Nath cult is generally assumed as a Shaiva faith. The
temple made of stone, housing a Linga inside. The use of triple mark of ash on their forehead and use of
temple also contained a number of images of other rudraksha (berries of elecocarpus geniturs) rosaries by
gods also. the follower of this cult may be cited in support of
this view. They celebrate yearly festival Shivratri,
Another ancient temple complex like those of which became the major festival of this cult and they
Krimachi and Babor has yielded temples of Siva. All also association with a snake cult all these conformed
these belonged to a period between the 9th, 10th or their association to shiva.
11th century A.D. The next group of temples like
Panchvaktar may belong to the period around 14th and This cult popular in Jammu region during the 15th
15th centuryA.D. At present the temples of Purmandal century A.D. Pirkhoh shrine of the Nath pantha
and Uttarbani on the bank of Devika River, were became the centre of this cult during Ajeo Dev’s
constructed by Dogras rulers too attract the devotees. region (1423-1454). Yogi Garib Das who came to this
These are famous for the Linga shrine. The famous region probably during the rule of Ajeo Dev’s
Ranbiesvaram temple of 19th century A.D. has huge successor Bairam Dev resided at Pir Khoh. In Indian
sphatic and crystal Lingas. The temple has figure of dialect Khoh means a cave. This cave bearing a Shiva
Siva in human form and his family. The Linga and also known as Jamwant Khoh (cave).This
anthropomorphic form of Shiva is also popular in this cave is situated on the bank of river Tawi at Jammu.
region. From the most of the temples of this region During the month of Phagan on Shivratri day many
icons of Siva in human form have been found. Siva Hindus visit in this cave for the darshan of Mahadev
iconography in Jammu region represents all his well- and they carry with them lighted lamp. Another event
liked form like Siva Parvati and Bhairava in which happened during the time of Raja Biram Dev

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was that a certain Siddh Gauriya came to the village point that worship of Shiva was prevalent in Jammu
Swankh. He lived in the house of a Brahman and from times immemorial. There are ample number of
lived a life full of miracles. People raised a smadhi shrines scattered in different places of Jammu
after his death on his ashes, which still exist in the province which are vestige of the Shaivism in its
village, which became famous as Siddha Swankha developed form. The relics that we have found from
because of his association. Thus it was during second the ancient shrines of Bhabor, Billawar, Krimchi and
half of eighth century that the Nath cult fully others clearly helps us in understanding the origin and
established in this region. development of this cult. Apart from these shrines
From all the data given above it can be claimed that there is a rich source of oral traditions, in the froms of
Shaivism had its roots in this region from ancient ballads songs and stories which help us in filling
times. There is a scarcity of historical documents several gaps which are not traceable and they present
which can provide us with any hint regarding the a layer of truth regarding the beginning of Shiva
beginning of Shiva worship in Jammu but one can worship in the place but the truth is covered by a
trace it through different shrines dedicated to him. We layer of the exaggerations put forth by lay devotees.
have seen that the original inhabitants of the lands, Bibliography:
Paisachas, were the lay devotees of Lord Shiva and [1] I.C. Tyagi, Shaivism in Ancient India,1 Dr .P.
worshipped him in his phallus form. There is mention Jash, History of Shaiviam, p.1.
of different rivers which are also associated with the
[2] R.C. Majumdar, The Age of Imperial Unity.
worship of Shiva, one among them is Devika. Devika
emerges from Gourikund in SudhMahadev and after [3] R.G. Bandarkar, Vaishanavism, Shaivism and
flowing for some distance it submerges in a land mass Other Minor Religious System
and the finally emerges in Udhampur and following [4] E.O. Martin, Gods of India, p.167.
the same route it appears once again in a place called
Uttarvaini in Purmanadal. This river is associated [5] A. L. Basham, The Wonder That Was India
with Shiva and his consort Parvati and in every place [6] Edward Hopkins, The Religion of India
where this river emerges there is a web of Shiva
temples around it and the cities on the bank of this [7] K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, A Comprehensive
river are considered to be as holy. The Pir-Khoh History of India vol. (ii)
temple is another evidence which substantiates the

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