TRIKUTA DEVI TIRTHA
33.033300,74.966700
Description
A »pulsating« (intermittent), sacred spring of karst water, which »issues in jerks« (note 1) from a probably inaccessible underground drainage system, and which is said to run scorching hot in winter but cool in summer (note 2), reports HÜGEL (1840, 1: 155) from "Tricota Devi", a Hindu 'tirtha' (religious bathing place and pilgrimage place) situated halfway up on the northern slope of the Trikuta Mountain (note 3), 35 km in a direct line NE (note 4) of Jammu City: »The pilgrimage site Tricota Devi lies on the northern side of the Tricota range (three hill), half way up, and contains a large and famous temple, the sanctity of which is due to a peculiar feature. This is a sacred spring issuing large quantities of water in jerks, almost pulsating, into a pool. During nine months the water is cold though in December and January up to the middle of February, it is too hot to dip without pain one's hand into it. The explanation of the latter phenomenon seems to me that, as long as snow covers Tricota during the three moths of winter, no water from the heights can enter into the source, which then maintains its peculiar temperature« (note 5).
NOTE 1: »Akhnúr.-- Springs occur on the right bank of the Chínáb [Chenab], on Trikota hill, about 27 miles [43.5 km] from Akhnur [N32°52': E74°44']. The water issues in jerks and falls into a basin, and is stated to be cold during nine months of the year, but hot in winter« (LYDEKKER 1883: 42). NOTE 2: Carl Alexander Anselm, Freiherr von HÜGEL (1840, 1: 155) ascribes the curious phenomenon to the lack of admixed melting water during December, January and February, when the snow remains on the mountain and does not mix with the water of the spring. Not seen: HUGEL, [Baron] Charles (1845, London: Petheram). NOTE 3: Trikta (three mountains, triple mountain), a hill near N33°02': E74°58' (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003). NOTE 4: HÜGEL (1840, 1: 155) places »Tricota Devi« at a distance of »18 Coss / 27 Meilen [43 km along the road in an unspecified direction] von Jommu« (Jammu). NOTE 5: »Der Wallfahrtsort Tricota Devi liegt an der Nordseite (des Gebirges Tricota = Drei Berg), auf der halben Höhe, und enthält einen großen und berühmten Tempel, der einer sonderbaren Erscheinung seine Heiligkeit verdankt. Es ist dies eine heilige Quelle, die das Wasser stossweise, gleichsam pulsierend, in ein Becken in grosser Menge ergießt; während neun Monaten ist es kalt, dagegen im Dezember, Jänner und bis zur Hälfte des Februar zu heiss, um die Hand ohne Schmerz hineintauchen zu können. Die Erklärung des letzten Phänomens scheint mir diese, dass so lange der Schnee auf Tricota liegt, nämlich während der drei Wintermonate, von den Höhen kein Wasser in die Quelle dringen kann, welche dann die ihr eigenthümliche heisse Temperatur beibehält« (HÜGEL 1840, 1: 155).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | VAISHNO DEVI GUFA, Katra | ||
| 0.0 | NEW CAVE, Katra | ||
| 0.0 | HOLY MOTHER TEMPLE & CAVE | ||
| 4.8 | KIRAMCHI SPRING | ||
| 8.3 | MUTTAL SPRING | ||
| 11.2 | ADI KUMARI GUFA | ||
| 11.3 | SAMAT KHAD SPRING | ||
| 13.6 | SERSANDHU SPRING | ||
| 13.6 | REASI SPRING, Riasi |