Sitakunda Cavern

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A flight of steps descend down into a hypogeum (note 1) where an eternal flame still burns in the cavern beneath the ancient building, fuelled, it may be reasonable to suppose, by seepage of natural gas (2010.04.11 bangladeshunlocked.blogspot.com accessed 2011.01.22). SITUATION: On the high road from Chittagong to Comilla (HOOKER, J D 1854-1855, 2: 352), Sitakunda … can be found, a couple of kilometres stroll up a track into the Chittagong Hills (2010.04.11 bangladeshunlocked.blogspot.com accessed 2011.01.22). DESCRIPTION 1819: In the case of … the Sitakunda near Chitagang [sic!] the water has no connexion with a subterraneous fire, and the flame is occasioned by the burning of an inflammable air, that issues from the crevices of a rock, over which the water has been artificially conducted (HAMILTON BUCHANAN, F 1819 / 2009: 273). DESCRIPTION 1851, January: … on the 9th, and descended to Seetakoond bungalow, on the high road from Chittagong to Comilla. … Near Seetakoond (which is on th plain) a hill on the range, bearing the same name, rises 1,136 feet high, and being damper and more luxuriantly wooded, we were anxious to explore it, and therefore spent some days at the bungalow. … The road to the top of Seetakoond leads along a most beautiful valley, and then winds up a cliff that is in many places almost precipitous, the ascent being partly by steps cut in the rock, of which there are 560. The mountain is very sacred, and there is a large Brahmin temple on its flank; and near the base a perpetual flame bursts out of the rock. This we were anxious to examine, and were extremely disappointed to find it a small vertical hole in a slaty rock, with a lateral one below for a draught; and that it is daily supplied by pious pilgrims and Brahmins with such enormous quantities of ghee (liquid butter), that it is to all intents and purposes an artificial lamp; no trace of natural phenomena being discoverable (HOOKER, J D 1854-1855, 2: 352). CULTURAL HISTORY - religious folkore: In Hindu tradition, one of the most worthy of Gods was Rama. His wife, Sita, has always been regarded as the very model of the chaste and loyal wife. When Rama was exiled by his father through the machinations of his stepmother, Sita joined her husband in exile in the forests to which he retreated. From there she was kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka, and carried off to the realm that is now known as Sri Lanka. Rescued by Rama with the help of other deities, she had to prove her chastity during her captivity. To do this, she walked barefoot through flames. This demonstration is believed by Hindus to have taken place at a small temple on the slopes above Sitakunda. There is something of the entry to the underworld, so favored by Greek mythology, about visiting the place. Not to be missed by the romantically inclined (2010.04.11 bangladeshunlocked.blogspot.com accessed 2011.01.22).ore: In Hindu tradition, one of the most worthy of Gods was Rama. His wife, Sita, has always been regarded as the very model of the chaste and loyal wife. When Rama was exiled by his father through the machinations of his stepmother, Sita joined her husband in exile in the forests to which he retreated. From there she was kidnapped by Ravana, the King of Lanka, and carried off to the realm that is now known as Sri Lanka. Rescued by Rama with the help of other deities, she had to prove her chastity during her captivity. To do this, she walked barefoot through flames. This demonstration is believed by Hindus to have taken place at a small temple on the slopes above Sitakunda. There is something of the entry to the underworld, so favored by Greek mythology, about visiting the place. Not to be missed by the romantically inclined (2010.04.11 bangladeshunlocked.blogspot.com accessed 2011.01.22).