đź“ŤShiva in the Kardo Hills
To come across a shivalingam nestled amidst a dense jungle in the Ziro valley, Arunachal Pradesh is entirely something to marvel at. Surrounded by bijou stone structures stands the world’s tallest naturally formed aka Swayambhu Shivalingam.
From one side, the dense canopy of bamboo trees veils the passage leading towards a towering stone formation. The leaves shift in the wee hour’s breeze to reveal glimpses of the massive structure now known as the Siddheshwar Nath Temple or the Kardo Mahadev.
From the hornbills and giant squirrels of the forest canopy to the porcupines and snakes beneath, the Kardo is blessed with rich biodiversity & dazzling array of species some of which remain undiscovered. Sacred groves form a significant part of this woodland dotted with shrines such as this one serving as the fulcrum of an ecological ecosystem that has developed over centuries. Â
As per the local folklore, the epiphanic discovery of the shrine in 2002 by a woodcutter is in accordance with the mysterious prophecy mentioned in the Rudra Khand of the Shiva Purana. The area around the sacred spot was cleared with daily rituals being initiated by priests flown from New Delhi.
With all the mystique and allure, the shrine is gladly yet to be trampled by the tourists as the route leading to the world’s largest Swayambhu Lingam is so notoriously dangerous that even experienced trekkers hesitate to move when the sun shines but, to spend time in this picturesque Teertha in solitude reminds you of Shiva's essence, Satyam Shivam Sundaram.
A visit to this shrine is bound to leave a deep impression on you for a long time but be prepared to run into boisterous groups of youngsters returning from the Ziro Music festival to pay their obeisance to the Pashupati.