MARKANDEYA, Kuhu nala (Cave of)
29.966700,78.166700
Description
A »great« but otherwise unspecified temple cave or sacred rock shelter associated with Markandeya recorded ATKINSON (1882, 11 edited 1991, 2: 340 after the 'ancient' (medieval?) Kedara Khanda, a Sanskrit geography claiming to be part of the Skanda Purana): »To the north-west of Ganga Dwara [Haridwar, Hardwar N29°58': E78°10'] is the hermitage of Rama, and the Rama Kshetra extends from the Dhenu peak [note 1] to the Betrawati stream [note 2], on which are the temples to Chandi [note 3] and Durga [both of these goddesses are aspects of Kali] and also the Gantakarn-tapasya-sthan. To the west of the latter place is the Bhuteswar Linga and the Kuhu stream [note 4] and a great cave sacred to Markandeya and other Rishis. There are also pools called after Rama, Sita, and Hanuman, several linga and temples to Durga and Prabalika Devi …«
NOTE 1: »Dhenu« (Kamadhenu?) peak (or so) is not shown on Survey of India sheet 53-K/01 (1972 edition). NOT SEEN: The Survey 53-F/16 and 53-J/04. NOTE 2: »Betrawati stream« (or so) is not shown on the Survey of India sheet 53-K/01 (1972 edition). NOT SEEN: The Survey of India sheets 53-F/16 and 53-J/04. NOTE 3: Not north-west of Haridwar but south-east and opposite across the Ganga, there is one »Chandi Devi Mandir« indicated near N29°48': E78°13' on the Survey of India sheet 53-K/01 (1972 edition) on a hill in the north-western edge of Chandi Reserved Forest, which covers the north-western part of the Siwalik Range of Hills south-east of the Ganga gap at Haridwar. NOTE 4: »Kuhu stream« (or so) is not shown on the Survey of India sheet 53-K/01 (1972 edition). NOT SEEN: The Survey of India sheets 53-F/16 and 53-J/04.
Documents
Bibliography 18/04/2016- Atkinson, Edwin T 1882 edited 1991..
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | GORAKHNATH CAVE, Haridwar | ||
| 1.6 | RISHIKA MUNI GUFA | ||
| 1.6 | VAISHNO DEVI, Haridwar (Cave of) | ||
| 2.4 | BHIMA GHORA | ||
| 4.9 | HARDWAR (Eliade 1996: 317) (Cave at) | ||
| 22.1 | MAHARISHI DYANPITH CAVES | ||
| 22.1 | GANESH GUFA, Rishikesh | ||
| 22.1 | RISHIKESH (Eliade 1996: 347) (Caves at) | ||
| 22.1 | RAMTIRTHA SWAMI (Cave of Swami) |