GUGIESHWARI MAHADEV GUFA, Dhading
27.800000,84.879200
Description
»The cave Gugieshwari Mahadev [note 1] is … a pilgrimage goal [STEIN 1988: 16 note 42]. The entrance is large and leads to a spacious chamber. At the bottom of the cave, to the north, 'milk' drops are falling from stalactites [speleothems]. Some of the stalagmites resemble linga (the sex ual organ of Shiva. This is the most holy spot where milk, incense and red and white coloured strings are offered. The exit is a crawl [lit.: "diverticule"] which becomes more and more tight … this is the sinner's test. In February - March a festival [Mahashivaratri?] dedicated to Shiva is held by Hindu - Nepali castes. Another feast in August-September is reserved for females only to offer animals and milk. A third feast in December - January is usual among Buddhist Tamang. On this occasion a bamboo stick and milk if offered to the lingam.« ETYMOLOGY: »The name signifies Mahadev (Shiva), "Lord of the caves" (Sanskrit: guhyeshvara). In the Tamang language the site is called Papi Brewa Darma Brewa. One can recognise the Sanskrit terms papa (= bad) and dharma, in this case the opposite« (STEIN 1988: 16 note 42).CULTURAL HISTORY: »Concerning the female's festival, Mr. [Corneille] JEST cites K. B. BISTA: Tij or the feast of the women.- in: Objets et Mondes, IX, 1, 1969: 7-14« (STEIN 1988: 16 note 42). SITUATION: At an unidentified location and in an unspecified spatial relation »near Dhading Gajuri [note 2], at a distance of 30 or 40 kilometres to the west of Kathmandu« and on the road to Pokhara.
NOTE 1: Possibly identical with –>Gupteshwar Cave (Sunoula Bazar) or with –>Chamere Gufa (DUCLUZAUX 1992) and with –>Nagdhunga Gufa. NOTE 2: »Dhading Gajuri« (STEIN 1988: 16 note 42) is, perhaps, the village indicated as »Gajuri« near N27°48': E84°52'45” on the Central Service Map 38 Tanahun (1989 edition) above the orographically left (southern) bank of the Trishuli Ganga.
Documents
Bibliography 15/07/2016- Bista, K B 1969; Stein, Rolf A 1988.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | GUPTESHWAR CAVE, Dhading | ||
| 13.1 | Chamere Gufa, Dhadingbesi | ||
| 33.4 | BHALUKO GUFA | ||
| 36.0 | SITA GUFA, Gorkha | ||
| 40.3 | Ratomato Quarry Cave | ||
| 40.4 | NAGARJUNA HILL CAVE 2, Raniban | ||
| 41.3 | NAGARJUNA HILL CAVE 1, Balaju | ||
| 43.4 | HELGA HARTMANN | ||
| 43.7 | BAGH CAVE |