MARKANDEYA, Bilaspur: Makri (Cave of)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

What appears to represent an unspecified sacred temple cave, which is not only associated with the Hindu saint Markandeya / Maharishi Markand and a sacred spring of water but also reputed to contain a fabulous subterranean tunnel, has been advertised (note 1) as: Markandeya - This is a famous shrine named after renowned rishi [note 2] Markandeya who lived and worshiped there. A tunnel connected Markand and Vyas cave [–>Vyasa Gufa, Bilaspur] and the two 'rishis', Vyas and Markandeya used to visit each other through this sub-terrain path [fabulous tunnel]. There is also a water spring of ancient fame where a night fair is held annually on Baisakhi' day (note 3). SITUATION: Allegedly about 20 km or, more likely, about 20 miles (some 30 km) along the road in an unspecified direction (approximately east) from Bilaspur (N31°12': E076°45') in tehsil Sadar (note 4). CAVE LEGEND 1: A cowherd of village Makri (note 5) noticed a cow entering every day a cave and returning after some tie. Having built up an unbearable state of mental unrest he followed the cow and to his surprise saw inside the cave a sage. We do not know if the sage was salty and lickable but he anyhow asked the cause of the cowboys visit. The cowherd did not miss the chance to bewail his poverty and the sage generously gave him a handful of boiled rice. The cowboy tied the rice in a piece of cloth but later spurned the gift and threw it away. A few grains, however, remained stuck in the piece of cloth. When he came out of the cave, he found that the few grains of rice had turned into grains of gold. His initial impulse to ran back and to collect the thrown rice was thwarted upon finding that a part of the cave had slid down and the way on was blocked ( hindubooks.org/temples/himachal/Bilaspur/page17.ht… accessed 29.08.2004). CAVE LEGEND 2: The father of Markandeya used to live there to perform penance to appease Brahma for the sake of a son. Eventually, this speleotherapy yielded positive results increased insemination activities?) and his -prayers- were rewarded and -he- (more likely: she) was blessed with a son. Since then people get sons and many -diseases- (oops: daughters?) are cured by having a dip in a spring near the cave (hindubooks.org/temples/himachal/Bilaspur/page17.ht… accessed 29.08.2004).increased insemination activities?) and his -prayers- were rewarded and -he- (more likely: she) was blessed with a son. Since then people get sons and many -diseases- (oops: daughters?) are cured by having a dip in a spring near the cave (hindubooks.org/temples/himachal/Bilaspur/page17.ht… accessed 29.08.2004).