NYISHANG KURTA PHUG, Manang

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A relatively small rock shelter reminiscent of a lean-to, improved by a wall of piled stones and a wooden plank, and associated with Milarepa and the legend of the converted hunter, after whom, who was one of themselves, the people of Manang (Nyishang) prefer to call the cave Gonpo Dorje Phug (mGon po rDo rje), the cave (phug) of the hunter Chirawa Gwunbo Dorje (CHANG 1989: 275). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1976: AUFSCHNAITER (1976: 181, location sketch on page 180): The cave is quite high up on the right side of the valley, at about 4000 m, below the ice walls of Annapurna range, just above the tree line … It is not originally a cave, but only an overhanging rock. A tiny hut has been built against the rock, there are darchog flags and flower offerings by pilgrims, and a large wooden plank (which it is to be hoped will remain there for ever) with paintings, scenes of Milarepa's life, including the monkeys and the mi dred. In the rock above the cave are hanging the bow and arrows of mgon po rdorje, who afterwards became one of Milarepa's disciples under the name k'yi ra ras pa. There is a hut for pilgrims and a stone with footprints.CAVE DESCRIPTION 1988: Braga. Directly across the river lies a small trail that winds its way up to the base of Annapurna III through lush pine forests and flowers. One then emerges on a clearing and after another short climb, passess a small Kagyü Gompa. The cave itself is situated at 17,000 feet [5185 m, about 1200 m too high], approximately 1000 ft [estimated 300 m] above the gompa, carved into the rugged rock wall. At the valley floor in front of the cave flows a river fed by melting snow and by the glacier descending from the peak of Annapurna. Additionally, beside the cave several small streams emanate directly from the face of the rock, and legend has it that during his stay, Milarepa poked his finger into the cliff wall to produce water (QUINTMAN 1988 in DECLEER 1994: 71-73).