CHHANGO GUFA
27.616700,87.166700
Description
A natural temple cave, complete with a dwar, which is sacred both to Mahayana Buddhists and to Hindus, represents one quarter of the geographical mandala –>Khanpalung (note 1). SITUATION: About 10 km upstream from the confluence of the Chhoyang or Apsuwa (note 2) and in the forested valley of Khembalung, a tributary to Arun River. The site of the cave is nearly 420 m above the riverbed and on the west side of the gorge. The village closest to the cave is Dobatak (note 3) and consists only of a few Sherpa families' houses. »The path leading from Dobatak to the cave… [is] both easy and short. After passing by a small chorten and a wall of mani stones at the edge of the village, we continued for a short distance uphill where the trail levelled out. A further ten-minute walk brought us in front of the cave entrance where there is an overhang with an inscription in Tibetan. It is at this point that people remove their shoes before entering the sacred place (note 4). A small stream is crossed and one passes between a number of poles with prayer flags and enters the mouth of the cave« (REINHARD 1978: 9-10). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1950 (?): »…a cave, called "Changgo" [Gorkhali / Nepali = underworld, subterra] ...I had to wade through water and at some places the passage was so tight that even a slim man like me had difficulties to squeeze through. The chamber of accomplishment was just the size of two square metres« (Peter Aufschnaiter in BRAUEN, M 1983: 176). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1978: »A short distance into the cave is a large trident with a bell which pilgrims ring as they continue by … After moving by the trident there is a passage off to the side, through which sinners are said to unable to pass. …[We] continued on a short way to a point where a small stream begins flowing through the cave. The stream continues on for some distance before once again disappearing out of sight. …Just before the exit [a few hundred feet downhill from the entrance] …there is a moderately large chamber. As pilgrims crawl out of the exit opening, they often take some of the white clay found there. Eaten as a medicine or kept on one's person [it protects] from danger. … The cave is not of great length, perhaps taking ten minutes or less for one who has completed the journey previously and knows the way. We looked for side passages, but discovered none that continued for any great distance« (REINHARD 1978: 10-11).
NOTE 1: Khanpalung (in Tibetan: mKhan pa lung) is found transcribed »Khembalung« (REINHARD 1978) and »Khenpalung« (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1993). NOTE 2: The river Chhoyang or »Abshuwa Valley« (DIEMBERGER 1990 edited 1991: 67) and »Apsuwa Khola« (Central Service Map 1989 sheet 09 Sankhuwasabha 1: 125'000) is shown on AMS sheet NG45-03 Kanjenchunga (U502 series, 1963 edition) to join from the approximate north-west the Arun near the village of Choyang at N27°33': E087°14', the »Chhoyan« in the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006) map 26 A3. NOTE 3: The village of »Dobatak« (REINHARD 1978) is neither shown on the Central Service Map (1989 sheet 09 Sankhuwasabha 1: 125'000) nor on AMS sheet NG45-03 Kanjenchunga (U502 series, 1963 edition). NOTE 4: »No Native … keeps his shoes on when he enters a room, unless he intends disrespect« (ROBERTS 1897 edited 1898: Forty-one years in India.- chapter 11 note 8).
Documents
Bibliography 15/07/2016- Nimri Aziz, Barbara 1978: 76; Brauen, Michael 1983; Buffetrille, Katia 1994b: 43; Diemberger, H 1994; Reinard, Johan 1978; Chos phel rnam rgyal 1778a, 1778b; Sbas yul mkhan pa lung gi lde yig… (s.a.).
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | CHHOYANG CAVE | ||
| 13.1 | CHOBHAR CAVE (Knab 1990) | ||
| 19.4 | TSHECHI DUKHANG, Tshe-chu'i sgrub-khang | ||
| 19.4 | TADOSA, rTa-'dogs-sa | ||
| 19.4 | SHELGYI DUKHAN, Shel-gyi sgrub-khang | ||
| 19.5 | GANGLA PHUG, Gangs-la, Gangs-lha, Gangs-ra | ||
| 22.4 | TSEWANG PHUG, Tshechu | ||
| 25.4 | RIPHUG, Tsho Karpo | ||
| 46.9 | NUPTSE (Lovelock 1969) (Cave on) |