Shree Panchanan Mahadev

Shree Panchanana Mahadev
Lord Shiva is worshipped in many forms. He is conceived in his unborn and invisible form as lingum. The "Shiv-Lingum" symbolizes the power behind the creation. It is believed that at the end of all creation, during the great deluge, all of the different aspects of God find a resting place in the Lingam.

The holy cave shrine of "Panchanan Mahadev" situated in Village kakra Darlaghat, District Solan of Himachal Pradesh state depicts the natural formation of Panchmukhi Shivlingum. It is one of the most venerated cave shrines of Lord Shiva in the region. The Holy cave is more than 15 mts long & houses about 2 feet high Panchmukhi Shiv Lingum, alongwith maa gauri ganesh and kartikey pindis. The lingum constantly baths in a water & sometimes milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling. The cave is full of natural impression & images of various Hindu Deities & full of divine feelings. .The holy cave Shrine located in Kakra is 2 km from NH 88 on state highway from Darlaghat on the way towards solan vai piplughat .Shree Panchanan Mahadev shrine is located in the Shivalik range of Himalaya mountains. at 31.15°N 76.97°E. It has an average elevation of 1045 metres (3428 feet).Due to its high altitude, having a pleasant weather in the summers with the temperatures hovering between 26 °C and 32 °C. The winters are chilly and the temperature ranges between 4 °C and 8 °C. The rainfall is moderate and occurs mainly during July and August.
It is known for its cave temple of Lord shiva ,where shiva residing in its five headed incarnation in the form of natural shivlingam. Here is the ancient holy cave where Lord shiva residing in his five heaeded incarnation that’s why called Panchanan Mahadev Praachin Shiv Gufa – The ancient cave reached by climbing stairs to reach the same to enter for a glimpse and prayers.
Famous sage of the region 1008 Shri Shri Alakhiya baba once recognized that the holy shivling in the cave is of five headed shivlinga , i.e, panchavakra or panchmukhi shivling.
At the entrance of cave , there is a deep hole where one can always notice a black snake(naag) but never harm to any devotee come for the prayer. As it is considered a great devotee of lord shiva.
Within the cave Lord Ganesha, Panchmukhi Shivling, Parvati, Nandi, Kartikey , lord Ram laxman (Bhagwan Vishnu with Sheshnaag) are visible within rocks.
The cave is dark with a very narrow way to enter and rocky 4-5 stairs that reaches above.
Too narrow but the visit is surely gives delight , seems that you are actually in the adobe of mahadev.

Lord Shiva is worshipped as Shiva Linga. Shivalingas with five faces is found in this holy ancient cave .

The Mahabharata widely follows the Indus perception of Shiva. The Mahabharata, in tune with the Indus Shiva, perceives him as Trishira, or Chaturmukha, that is, having three heads, or four, as Digvasas, that is, without cloth, as Urddh-ling, that is, with upward erect phallus, and as yogadhyaksha, that is, the Lord of Yoga. The Mahabharata goes a little ahead and conceived him also as five headed, four facing the four directions and fifth looking upwards, that is the guardian of the entire cosmos. It is from this five headed Shiva concept that his Sadashiva form seems to have evolved, as these five heads also symbolize five powers- para, adi, icchha, jnana and kriya, that is, all that is perishable, all that is timeless, and the desire, knowledge and act, of which the entire creation comprise.


The Names of the five faces of the almighty shiva are:

Sadyojat,
Vamdev,
Aghoraa,
Tatpurush and
shana.

The four faces of Shiva represent the four directions. The fifth face which points skywards is the universal face symbolic of purity and spiritual progress.


Shiva is majorly seen in five of His aspects ' Aghora, Ishana, Tat purusha, Vamadeva (Varna Deva) and Rudra (or Saddyojat). Panchanana, is the combination of all these five forms and is commonly depicted as five-headed.
Aghora is the destructive aspect of Shiva. He is often depicted as the Keeper of burial and cremation grounds and is associated with death. He is said to devour life and make way for new creation or regeneration. He faces South on a Panchamukha Sivalingam.
Ishana is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is depicted as an all-pervading and eternal Shiva. He is cause of creation. He faces the north-east on a Panchamukha Sivalingam.
Tat purusha is the ego aspect of Shiva. Associated with meditation, enlightenment this form is often associated with sages, ascetics and celibacy. He faces east on a Panchamukha Sivalingam.
Vamadeva He is graceful and is associated with water. He faces north on a Panchamukha Sivalingam. He is a healer and bestower of health both mental and physical.
Rudra (Sadyojata) is the creative and destructive power of Shiva. He is associated with wrath and anger. He faces west on a Panchamukha Sivalingam
Shivoham Shivoham..