ADI KUMARI GUFA
33.008600,74.850000
Description
A relatively short and almost horizontal cave with a tight crawl (dwar). Some four or five metres from the cave entrance, the 'tunnel' turns vertical to a daylight window. The sacred site lies at the temple and tank of Ad- Kunwari / Ad- Kanwari (originally Adi Kumari, the 'primordial virgin'). SITUATION: North of Jammu city (N32°44': E74°52') on the flanks of Trikuta / Tricota mountain (note 1) and at a distance of 6 km (note 2) on the way from Katra (note 3) to the pilgrimage place and sacred cave of –>Vaishno Devi. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1973: In addition to a »tank« (water reservoir) and a picturesque temple, tea stalls, »halwai's shops« (stalls of sweet meats vendors) and a small hotel, there is at »Ad Kunwari [sic!] … a small opening or hole in the rocks through which the pilgrims pass. This is popularly known as Garb-yoni and the passage through it is considered meritorious and a passport to moksha [liberation]. In any case, it is a good exercise. It is good fun to watch a potbellied person trying to pass through in the mistaken belief that it would free him from all sins« (GANHAR s.a., circa 1973 illustration 2). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1993: »Adikumari, the fifteen-foot cave where the Goddess meditated. The cave is barely wide enough to accomodate one pilgrim slithering through on his or her stomach, but the smoothness of the rock makes it easier than it looks. Inside is an alcove where a priest sits cross-legged, reciting prayers« (ERNDL 1993: 64).CULTURAL HISTORY: STEIN, R A (1988: 20-23 note 49) refers to »Gauhar 1975« (sic! for: GANHAR s.a., circa 1973) and notes a tight passage called Garb Yoni, or 'female sex womb', which is »… also called Garbh-Joon, or garbha-guha = womb cave / uterus cave. Those unable to fit through are considered to be sinners.« SHARMA (1994) understood Garbh Yoni is another site associated with the legendary struggle of Raja Bhairon Bali and Vaishno Devi or Mata Vaishnovi (–>Vaishno Devi Cave). ERNDL (1993: 64) observed »Adikumari … is the main stopping place along the route [note 4]; a spacious plot of lands holds a temple, water tank, tea stalls, restaurants, and overnight accomodations for one thousand people.«SHRIVASTAVA (1997: 32) had heard of a cave »Ardh Kumari« near Katra where –>Vaishno Devi is worshipped.
NOTE 1: Trikut Parvat / Trikuta Mountain / Tiur Pahar.NOTE 2: »After 6 km of trekking [from Katra N32°59': E074°57'] you would reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months. Do visit the cave« (rajasthaninfoline.com/dest/vaishnodevi.html accessed 2002.11.11). NOTE 3: Adi Kumari / Garbh Yoni (on AMS sheet NI43-14) lies near N32°59': E74°57' nima.mil/geonames (accessed 16.11.2003) and at a distance of some 3 km by the steep path and about 5 km by the long route from Charan Paduka (SHARMA 1994: 51). NOTE 4: ERNDL (1993: 64-65) describes the six or seven official halting places to visit on the route from Katra to Vaishno Devi: 1st Darshani Darwaza (a stone gate), 2nd Ban Ganga (sacred stream), 3rd Charan Paduka (footprints), 4th Adikumari (cave), 5th Hathi Matha (face of mounatin looking like elephant forehead), 6th Sanjhi Chat (also: Sanji Chhat, at 7,215 foot = 2'200 m asl the highest point on the track), 7th Bhairo temple (bypassed by the road built by Dharmarth Trust, the cave exploitation committee, to the »darbar« of Vaishno Devi).
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | REASI SPRING, Riasi | ||
| 11.2 | TRIKUTA DEVI TIRTHA | ||
| 11.2 | VAISHNO DEVI GUFA, Katra | ||
| 11.2 | NEW CAVE, Katra | ||
| 11.2 | HOLY MOTHER TEMPLE & CAVE | ||
| 13.3 | SAMAT KHAD SPRING | ||
| 14.0 | KIRAMCHI SPRING | ||
| 14.2 | SERSANDHU SPRING | ||
| 16.3 | KANSAR SPRING |