SITANTA RANGE CAVES

Location

Immense caves in the Sitanta Range (note 1), inhabited by sorcerer saints and demons (compare –>Namuchi Cave) recorded the 'ancient' Vahu Purana (mediaeval?), a Sanskrit geography describing the area west of the mythical Mount Meru, in parts rendered by ATKINSON (1882, vol. 11 edited 1981, vol. 2, part 1, page 296): »The Sitanta range abounds with all sorts of metals and gems. It is skirted by a most delightful country, well watered and enlivened with the harmonious noise of the black bee and frogs. There are towns with gates and the refreshing moisture of this country proceeds from Urupa and reuniting together forms a stream called the Vaha of the moon or Chandravaha [note 2]. There amongst immense caves is Kridavana and the great forest of the Parijata tree of the Mahadev [literally "great god", Shiva]. There live the Siddhas and Yakshas in caves. To the east is the Kummuda peak with the eight towns of the proud Danavas.« Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 28/02/2016

NOTE 1: The mythical Sitanta Range corresponds to the true mountain ranges of Lahaul & Spiti. NOTE 2: According to VOGEL (1902: 36) the rivers »Candra« (Chandra River) and »Bhaga« (Bhaga River) unite to form (confluence at N32°34': E076°58' nima.mil/geonames, accessed 16.11.2003) on AMS sheet NI43-16) the »Candrabhaga« (Chandrabhaga River, mouth at N25°03': E074°13' on AMS sheet NG43-10). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 28/02/2016