SHELGYI DUKHAN, Shel-gyi sgrub-khang

Makalu (सङ्खुवासभा - NP)
27.766700,87.266700
Grottocenter / carte

Description

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The second of the two east-facing caves (the other is –>Tshechi Dukhang, Tshe-chu'i sgrub-khang), which provide shelter for shephards and pilgrims at the holy place (ne / gnas) of Ama Buchung. SITUATION 1990: Approximately one day's walk down the Barun Valley from the white lake [note 1], there is the the holy place (ne / gnas) of Ama Buchung (A-ma bu-buyung), the mountain of the -Pregnant Mother- (note 2) in the valley of the Barun River (note 3). The east face of the -pregnant mother- looks like a huge face with a mouth, a nose and two big caves as eyes (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1991: 66). SITUATION 1992: Parvati's Cave (sic!) lies next to Shiva Cave (i.e. –>Tshechi Dukhang) and both at a trekking distance of three hours in an unspecified direction from one meadow called Mera, which lies from one Yangri (note 4) a short day's walk upstream the valley of Barun river towards Makalu. The pair of caves lies about 700 vertical metre of steeply inclined meadow, which is either negotated by a fast and direct but difficult and harzardous route or by a longer, more methodical treck (CHILD 1992: 58). To reach Parvati's cave (CHILD 1992: 58) from –>Shiva Cave (Tshechi Dukhang), CHILD (1992) sidled along a narrow ledge above a precipice [note 5] … CAVE DESCRIPTION: CHILD (1992: 58) narrates from Parvati's cave (Shelgyi Dukhan) how another fountain spattered the rock floor. As the sun neared the horizon, our Nepali friends again made puja.The second of the two east-facing caves (the other is –>Tshechi Dukhang, Tshe-chu'i sgrub-khang), which provide shelter for shephards and pilgrims at the holy place (ne / gnas) of Ama Buchung. SITUATION 1990: Approximately one day's walk down the Barun Valley from the white lake [note 1], there is the the holy place (ne / gnas) of Ama Buchung (A-ma bu-buyung), the mountain of the -Pregnant Mother- (note 2) in the valley of the Barun River (note 3). The east face of the -pregnant mother- looks like a huge face with a mouth, a nose and two big caves as eyes (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1991: 66). SITUATION 1992: Parvati's Cave (sic!) lies next to Shiva Cave (i.e. –>Tshechi Dukhang) and both at a trekking distance of three hours in an unspecified direction from one meadow called Mera, which lies from one Yangri (note 4) a short day's walk upstream the valley of Barun river towards Makalu. The pair of caves lies about 700 vertical metre of steeply inclined meadow, which is either negotated by a fast and direct but difficult and harzardous route or by a longer, more methodical treck (CHILD 1992: 58). To reach Parvati's cave (CHILD 1992: 58) from –>Shiva Cave (Tshechi Dukhang), CHILD (1992) sidled along a narrow ledge above a precipice [note 5] … CAVE DESCRIPTION: CHILD (1992: 58) narrates from Parvati's cave (Shelgyi Dukhan) how another fountain spattered the rock floor. As the sun neared the horizon, our Nepali friends again made puja.

Documents

Bibliography 06/01/2018

History

EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1991 or 1992: Nima, Pasang, Sharu and Pasang Ongde guide the US American Gregory 'Greg' CHILD (1992), Brian McGowan (Scottland) and Doug Scott (Australia) from their camp at the meadow Mera to one Shiva cave (Tshechi Dukhang) before continuing to Parvati's cave (Shelgyi Dukhan): In dimming light we treaded fearfully down, crossing waterfalls and lowering ourselves over cliffs on the roots of shrubs. Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Caves nearby

Distance (km)NameLength (m)Depth (m)
0.0TSHECHI DUKHANG, Tshe-chu'i sgrub-khang
0.0TADOSA, rTa-'dogs-sa
3.3TSEWANG PHUG, Tshechu
10.2GANGLA PHUG, Gangs-la, Gangs-lha, Gangs-ra
13.9CHOBHAR CAVE (Knab 1990)
19.4CHHANGO GUFA
19.5RIPHUG, Tsho Karpo
21.0CHHOYANG CAVE
73.8KHANGCHENDZONGA GLACIER CAVE