Salbardi Cave Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Salbardi Cave Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Salbardi Cave Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the mountain ranges near Salbardi Village in Multai Tehsil in Betul District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Madhya Pradesh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

Cave Temple:

As per legend, it is believed that an underground passage exists from this cave to Mahadeva Hill at Pachmarhi. Once, Mahadeva put two thousand goats into the passage at Pachmarhi and only one goat came out at Salbardi. It is also said that there is a hole in the hill leads down to this cave. It is believed that the hole was created by Bhima, one of the Pandavas, for better view of Lord Shiva at this Cave temple.

Birthplace of Luv & Kush:

As per legend, it is believed that Mother Sita gave birth to her twins Luv and Kush at this place.

The Cave Temple

The Cave temple is situated on atop a hill bordering Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The temple can be accessed through a long narrow passage. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga. The hill is famous for two natural springs, one for cold water and another for hot water. The springs flow into a small stone cistern which was formerly divided into compartments for the hot and cold water.

The water was recently analyzed and reported as containing sulphates and phosphates in small quantities, unfit for drinking but probably a cure for skin diseases. Colonel Meadows Taylor records bathing here in 1857 and says that the waters gave his malaria temporary relief. There is a temple on the hill contains a headless image of a Devi and a pool of reddish coloured water. It is believed that the water turned red from the blood of the image poured into the pool when the head of the image was cut off.

Festivals

A fair is celebrated for seven days during Shivaratri every year.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Salbardi, 10 Kms from Hiwarkhed Railway Station, 14 Kms from Morshi, 14 Kms from Morshi Railway Station, 66 Kms from Multai, 66 Kms from Amravati, 90 Kms from Betul and 143 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The temple is situated on Multai to Amravati route via Morshi.

Location