GORAKHNATH CAVE, Gorkha (Cave of)
28.383300,84.633300
Description
A relatively small rock shelter and temple cave sacred to Gorakhnath (Gorakanath) is situated at Gorkha town. ETYMOLOGY: »The capital Gorkha is situated on a very high hill, and was the only place of note in the territory. It is said to contain … the temple of Gorakhanath, who is one of the tutelar deities of the reigning family. From this circumstance we may perhaps infer, that the proper name of the place is Gorakha, and that, previous to having adopted the doctrines of the Brahmans, this family had received the Zogis, or priests of Gorakhanath, as their spiritual guides« (HAMILTON BUCHANAN 1819 edited 2009: 243). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1880: Not seen (note 1): OLDFIELD (1880). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1928: LANDON (1928, 1: 66) gives a photograph of the cave entrance. LANDON (1928, 2: 26) identifies the rock shelter in one single breath not only a cave temple and a cavern but also a crude sanctuary and a natural recess: »At Gorkha in Western Nepal, is found the cave temple of Gorakhnath. It is the sacred hearth of the Gurkha race … a little crude sanctuary hidden in a cavern to which access is almost impossible except on hands and knees -- the shrine of Goraknath. Here beneath an overhanging stream, housed in the natural recesses of the rock and with little adornment beyond the ceremonial tridents, flags, halberds, trumpets, and other insignia of all such places of worship, is the image of the god.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1938: BRIGGS (1938 edited 1973: 78-79, 182, frontipiece) reproduces the photograph of LANDON (1928), quotes the description of LANDON (1928, 2: 26), and refers to OLDFIELD (1880). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1960: »To the pilgrims even today a cave is shown where Goraknath dwelled and the 'Sacred Gurkha's Hearth' was installed« (HAGEN 1960 illustration facing page 49). HERMANNS (1965: 223) repeats HAGEN (1960) almost literally. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1980: Not seen UNBESCHEID, Günther (1980: Kanphata: Untersuchungen zu Kult, Mythologie und Geschichte sivaitischer Tantriker in Nepal.- Beiträge zur Südasienforschung (Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner), vol. 63. 197 pages, 2 folded maps, 30 monochrome photographs on plates).
NOTE 1: OLDFIELD (1880, 2: 189) is said (BRIGGS 1938) to say that the counry of the »Goraksa« (Gorkha, Gurkha people) derives its name from Goraknath, an eminent saint who resided in a cave which still exists in the hill on which the town of Gorkha is built.
Documents
Bibliography 15/07/2016- Hagen, Tony 1960; Hermanns, Matthias 1965; Landon, Perceval 1928; Oldfield, H O 1880.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21.9 | BAHUNDANDA (Cave at) | ||
| 21.9 | BAHUNDANDA 2 (Cave at) | ||
| 22.2 | rNal 'byor Phug | ||
| 23.8 | sBas Phug dGon Pa | ||
| 26.0 | sPUNGS rGYAN | ||
| 26.4 | MILA PHUG, Gorkha: Nubri | ||
| 28.2 | SINMO PHUG | ||
| 72.6 | DEORALLI GOOPA | ||
| 74.1 | LAWHRIBINNA OORAL |