MAHADEV GUFA, Nuwakot

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A natural temple cave (note 1) sacred to Mahadev (literally Great God; Shiva) contains dripstone formations (speleothems) and a fabulous tunnel connecting underground to –>Brahmacharya Gufa on the -other- (south) side of the Rakeshori Danda (hill). CAVE DESCRIPTION: The linear cave is developed in 6 metres thick marble intercalation in phyllites of Nawakot nappe. The entrance hall is max. 5.5 metres high, 6 metres wide and 17 metres long changes to several narrow passages. The cave is inhabited by hundreds of bats […]. Relatively rich dripstone formationes occurs in narrow chimney. ... the cave was until recently considered holy (CíLEK 1989: 5-9). CAVE POTENTIAL: The folk tale connects it [by a fabulous tunnel]with Brahmachatrya Cave [sic! for: Brahmacharya Gufa] on the south slope of the mountain. ... The area is not speleologically attractive, but yields possibilities for biological and Quaternary research. The microclimate of the valley is nearly tropical and redsoil outcrops so clse to the Main Himalayan Thrust makes the area especially interesting for palaeogeographers. SITUATION 1989: If you go on the road from Kathmandu [initially north-west, later north]to Trisuli Bazar after 62 km just before Trisuli Bazar you find the village Batar Bazar. There you will turn E [east] on pista (6 km) directed to Dilli Bazar [note 2: Dhikure?]. You will cross the river east of village near Tardu [Tadi Khola] and Lekhu Khola [Likhu Khola] confluence. Approximately 1.5 to 2 km east of the bridge you will find Kunikola village above which the Rakeshori Mahadev hill is rising. About 450 metres south of the village in the first tributary gorge west of the rocky ridge some 200 metres above the valley bottom you will find 65 metres long Maha Dev Gupha in a place called Ritheychowr (CíLEK et al. 1989: 5-9). APPROACH 1989: Cílek & frinds (see: above) appear to have reached the cave by travelling 6 km from Battar (note 3) east along a motorable road on the right (north bank) of the adi Khola (note 4) to the bridge at Dhikure (note 5), where they must have crossed to the other side (left / south bank of the Tadi to proceed approximately 1.5 or 2 km (on foot?) eastwards (note 6) to a village called Kunikola [note 7], above which the Rakeshori Mahadev hill is rising. About 450 metres south of the village in the first tributary gorge west of the rocky ridge some 200 metres above the valley bottom you will find 65 metres long Maha Dev Gupha in a place called Ritheychowr. CULTURAL HISTORY -- exitcave: According to religious folklore, the saint Manju used to sing and dance in Rakeshori Mahadev Cave until he disappeared one day. The music could be heard long time after he passed away (note 8). CAVE LIFE: CíLEK et al. (1989: 5-9) observed not only hundreds of bats (Chiroptera) but also narrates (a tale?) how the encounter with snakes preying on bats is especially dramatic in low parts of the cave.se to the Main Himalayan Thrust makes the area especially interesting for palaeogeographers. SITUATION 1989: If you go on the road from Kathmandu [initially north-west, later north]to Trisuli Bazar after 62 km just before Trisuli Bazar you find the village Batar Bazar. There you will turn E [east] on pista (6 km) directed to Dilli Bazar [note 2: Dhikure?]. You will cross the river east of village near Tardu [Tadi Khola] and Lekhu Khola [Likhu Khola] confluence. Approximately 1.5 to 2 km east of the bridge you will find Kunikola village above which the Rakeshori Mahadev hill is rising. About 450 metres south of the village in the first tributary gorge west of the rocky ridge some 200 metres above the valley bottom you will find 65 metres long Maha Dev Gupha in a place called Ritheychowr (CíLEK et al. 1989: 5-9). APPROACH 1989: Cílek & frinds (see: above) appear to have reached the cave by travelling 6 km from Battar (note 3) east along a motorable road on the right (north bank) of the se to the Main Himalayan Thrust makes the area especially interesting for palaeogeographers. SITUATION 1989: If you go on the road from Kathmandu [initially north-west, later north]to Trisuli Bazar after 62 km just before Trisuli Bazar you find the village Batar Bazar. There you will turn E [east] on pista (6 km) directed to Dilli Bazar [note 2: Dhikure?]. You will cross the river east of village near Tardu [Tadi Khola] and Lekhu Khola [Likhu Khola] confluence. Approximately 1.5 to 2 km east of the bridge you will find Kunikola village above which the Rakeshori Mahadev hill is rising. About 450 metres south of the village in the first tributary gorge west of the rocky ridge some 200 metres above the valley bottom you will find 65 metres long Maha Dev Gupha in a place called Ritheychowr (CíLEK et al. 1989: 5-9). APPROACH 1989: Cílek & frinds (see: above) appear to have reached the cave by travelling 6 km from Battar (note 3) east along a motorable road on the right (north bank) of the adi Khola (note 4) to the bridge at Dhikure (note 5), where they must have crossed to the other side (left / south bank of the Tadi to proceed approximately 1.5 or 2 km (on foot?) eastwards (note 6) to a village called Kunikola [note 7], above which the Rakeshori Mahadev hill is rising. About 450 metres south of the village in the first tributary gorge west of the rocky ridge some 200 metres above the valley bottom you will find 65 metres long Maha Dev Gupha in a place called Ritheychowr. CULTURAL HISTORY -- exitcave: According to religious folklore, the saint Manju used to sing and dance in Rakeshori Mahadev Cave until he disappeared one day. The music could be heard long time after he passed away (note 8). CAVE LIFE: CíLEK et al. (1989: 5-9) observed not only hundreds of bats (Chiroptera) but also narrates (a tale?) how the encounter with snakes preying on bats is especially dramatic in low parts of the cave.