NYISHANG KURTA PHUG, Takalmath
27.015833,85.497222
Description
NOTE 1: SHAKYA (1989 translated by TULADHAR in DALTON 1990: 7 and in DECLEER 1994: 112-113) publishes a permit (lâl-mohar = red [wax] seal), dated April 1861, which certifies that the Hindu shrine was errected at a site presumed to have been »worshipped by the [Buddhist] Lamas of Tibet since very ancient times.«
The Milarepa cave Nyishang Kurta is said to be found at four different places: Helambu (see: Nyishang Gurta of Helambu), above Braga (see: Nyishang Gurta of Manang), near Dingri in Tibet, and above Bhaktapur, at Takalmath village on the Kathmandu Valley rim. Outside of Bhaktapur, towards Nagarkot lies the area of Saraswati-Stan (Bageshwari / Wâgishwarî ) at the slope of the hill Mahadevpokhri Dara in the village of Takalmath. On the upper floor above the Saraswati Secondary School of Takalmath, there is the Saraswati Bahal, a Newari Buddhist shrine devoted to Mañjushri / Sârasvatî (Saraswati, Sarasvati). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1723: »… we stayed one night in the village of Nala. Having seen the sadhana cave of Milarepa called Sne-shan kurti and his footprints, etc., we returned to Bhaktapur« (LEWIS & JAMSPAL 1988: 203 after SITU PANCHEN 1723 in: CHANDRA 1969). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1744: NGAWANG DORJE OF KIMDO (1744 in: ABIDI 1994a: 79) was born within Kathmandu valley and clearly locates Nyshang Kurti at Takalmath: »At Bhaktapur [the place] further [to be visited] is Nyishang Kurti, [in Sanskrit / Nepali known as] Bâgishwari Saraswa(s)ti-sthan …« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1755: CHOSKYI NYIMA (1755 in: ABIDI 1994b: 85), the IVth Kamthrul Rinpoche and thus an authority supreme, declares the Takalmath site to be »the residence of the Majestic Lord Zhepa Dorje ('Smiling Vajra', the initiation name of Milarepa), and it was also here that Khyirarepa Gompo Dorje was accepted as his disciple. The sacred footprint of the deer is still clearly visible in the rock. … The name of this sacred spot, is called by the Valley Newars Wâgishwarî.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1775-1837: TRAGKAR TASO TULKU (s.a. 1775 to 1837, folio 26b; in: DECLEER 1994: 148): »Kurti kam, or, for the Mön people, Guru-pâd(a) as it is called, [this place] the Tibetans refer to as Nyishang Kurti.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1989: SHAKYA (1989 in DALTON, J. 1994; in: DECLEER 1994: 114-115) narrates the story of how the Buddhist pandit known by the name Dharmashrî-mitra, of Kâshî = Varanasi, on his way to 'Greater China' met Mahâ-Mañjusrî on the outskirts of Bhaktapur at his cave-dwelling. »The shrine is known as the cave through which Mañjusrî, by his Hindu name referred to as the "Sârawatî who came from Lhasa" (Sâraswati Lhasa paka), reached the Kathmandu Valley.« At the time of the Holi festival in the month Phalgun (full moon of February/March), people gather at shrine in front of the cave. On the Nepali New Year of the Vikram Samvat, the 'national' New Year, Bajrâchâryas from Patan perform their rituals here (note 1). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1990: DALTON (1990: 7; 1994 in DECLEER 1994) confirms: »A shrine was erected about 120 years ago above the remnants of the collapsed cave entrance and a statue of Mañjusri was erected in front of it« and adds: »When one puts a hand to one of the remaining holes to the left and right of the Mañjushri idol a cool draft from within can be felt.« Dalton concludes: »The case stands for Miarepa's visit to Thâkalmâth. Even with no more evidence than the guides, statue and hoofprint in the rock, I left convinced of its authenticity. The cave had to be just outside Simhadeva's Khokhom, and the place was so beautiful and idyllic it is easy to see Milarepa practising here.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1994: DECLEER (1994: 148): »Without any margin for error, this is definitely the sacred practice spot where the Great Majestic Lord Mila accepted as his disciple Khyirarepa Gompo Dorje. However, the famous Hundred Tousand Songs' description of the lay-out of rocky mountains and rivers for the most part does not correspond. … Maybe, as result of similar incoherent tradition, the present exact location, even in the general area is the correct one, is also erraneous.«
Documents
Bibliography 12/12/2015- Abidi, Zeena 1994a, 1994b; Chandra, Lokesh 1969; Chang, Garma Chen Chi 1989; Dalton, Jack 1990, 1994; Decleer, Hubert 1994; Lewis, Todd Thornton & Jamspal, Lozang 1988; Lhalungpa, Lobsang Phuntsok 1984; Ngawang Dorje of Kimdo 1744; Shakya, P S 1989; Situ Panchen 1723; Tragkar Taso Tulku s.a.; Tsang Nyon Heruka 1488, 1495; Quintman, A 1988 in: Decleer 1994.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59.7 | GUPTESHWAR CAVE, Godawari | ||
| 66.7 | BISHANKHU NARAYANA GUFA | ||
| 68.8 | ASURA GUFA, Pharphing / Yangleshod | ||
| 68.8 | SHIKHAR NARAYANA GUFA | ||
| 69.1 | HELGA HARTMANN | ||
| 69.5 | PHARPHING TUNNEL | ||
| 70.1 | BASBARI | ||
| 70.1 | BASBARI 2 | ||
| 70.1 | BASBARI 3 (Cave at) |