GOSAINKUND (Caves at)
28.149400,85.431400
Description
A short distance above Nilkund, a.k.a. –>Nilkantha, the larger of the Gosainkund lakes, a spring of water rises from beneath boulders and ablational debris. Several "trishul" (iron tridents, hommages to Shiva) are put up and "tikka" (red powder) is applied to some rock surfaces. Hindu belivers regard the site as a "gufa" which, however, is represented by a gap at the foot of an erratic ablational boulder. Without any doubt, this kind of "cave" not only gets wet all over when it rains but also is everday more or less fully daylight-lit during day-time and moonlight-lit in many nights. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1793: Compare –>Sisnia Ooral (KIRKPATRICK, W J 1811: 303). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1814: »Nilkantha is a place much frequented by pilgrims, and which would seem to possess many natural curiosities. I therefore shall here annex an account of the best route to it, in hopes that it may be of use to some fortunate traveller, who may procure access to visit the Alps of Nepal [note 1]« (HAMILTON BUCHANAN 1819 edited 2009: 192-193). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1833: RITTER (1833, part 3, book 2, volume 3, page 39, item no. 4 referes to KIRKPATRICK, W J (1811) reporting: Where the Trisul Ganga rises in the Laurebina range are many mountain caves (in Ghorkali: Udhyar, Odar) with favourite seats of Shiva / Mahadeo; the place is called after one of them (note 2). CAVE POTENTIAL: Local informants reported another four sacred and "caves" in the vicinity. CÍLEK et al. (1989: 8) reports the rumour of about two or three caves in the area, venerated seperately by Hindoo, Buddhist and Bön pilgrims respectively, and containing »footprints« (karren? rock art? cupola?) of man (homo erectus), yak (Bos grunniens), etc.
NOTE 1: For Hamilton Buchanan's route, see –>Nilkantha (Gosainkund). NOTE 2: »Wo der Trisul Ganga im Gebirge Lawhribinna entspringt sind viele Berghöhlen (Ural) mit Lieblingssitzen Mahadeos [Shiva]; von einer derselben wird der Ort benannt« (RITTER, C 1833, part 3, book 2, volume 3, page 39, item 4).
Documents
Bibliography 15/07/2016History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1802-1814: Francis HAMILTON BUCHANAN (1819 edited 2009: 192-194) procured intelligence relating to a route to »Nilkantha … which would seem to possess many natural curiosities.«1833: RITTER (1833, part 3, book 2, volume 2, page 39) cited KIRKPATRICK or HAMILTON.1991.11.20: H. D. Gebauer and Georg Bäumler paid a visit.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | CHAMKI / GHYAMKI (Cave at) | ||
| 12.5 | LAWHRIBINNA OORAL | ||
| 13.4 | GOPTE ODAR | ||
| 13.8 | GOPTE KHOLA ODAR | ||
| 14.8 | THARA GUPHA | ||
| 15.4 | KYANGCHING GOMPA PHUG | ||
| 15.4 | KYANGCHING GOMPA PHUG 2 | ||
| 15.4 | KYANGCHING GOMPA PHUG 3 | ||
| 15.8 | RINCHEN GODCHEN PHRUCHU PHUG |