GARUR GUFA
30.733300,79.483300
Description
A modified natural cave or rock shelter lies near the temple at Badrinath (N30°44': E079°29') above the right (western) bank of Alaknanda river, and near the pool Taptkund (or: Bahri Tirth), a spring of hot water (note 1). CULTURAL HISTORY - religious folklore: The image of Vishnu, previously thrown by iconoclasts into the Alaknanda river, is said to have been found by the young 8th century Brahmin philosopher Shankaracharya in Naradkund (pool) and later was moved to its present site by a ruler of Garhwal (KAUR 1985: 168).
NOTE 1: »Dr. Heim discovered it to be a ferrugineous calcareous water containing very little sulphur and having a temperature of 130°F [54.4°C], the volume of the flow is about one gallon [4.5459 ltr] per second« (KAUR 1985: 170 note 1).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 | Airawat Mahagufa | ||
| 2.0 | BHIMKUND, Badrinath | ||
| 3.7 | VASU DHARA (Cave at the) | ||
| 3.8 | BHIMPUL, Mana | ||
| 4.7 | VYASA GUFA, Mana | ||
| 4.7 | GANESH GUFA, Mana | ||
| 4.8 | MUCHUKUND GUFA, Mana | ||
| 9.3 | SHAKPADUNGA (Caves at) | ||
| 10.1 | TABOVAN SPRING |