Another cave temple found

SRINAGAR, SEPT. 9. A Shiva cave temple complex, believed to be 1,500 years old, has been discovered near the Amarnath cave in south Kashmir.

The complex, discovered by a shepherd, is located in a rocky portion of a meadow, now named `Shiv Marg', a five km steep climb from Chandanwari, the first stop enroute the Amarnath cave, the State Tourism Commissioner, Mr. Parvez Dewan, claimed.

There are at least three natural caves in the complex with a whitish stone idol of Lord Shiva installed in the main cave which is 10 feet high and 15 feet wide. ``Even though the cave and idol stands highly eroded with the passage of time, features like Shiva's top-knot, `Nag Devata' (cobra) coiled around his neck and the `Trishul' (trident) are still visible,'' Mr. Dewan, who visited the site, said adding he found more than a dozen Shivalingas inside the main cave.

The second cave is a narrow extension of the first and is covered with algae.

One of the main attractions at the site is an `amrit kund' (nectar pond) with a perennial spring.

Mr. Dewan hoped the discovery would attract the attention of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which would be able to establish its correct antiquity and history.

- PTI

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