SHIVA CAVE, Tattapani
31.250000,77.083300
Description
An unidentified Shiva Cave (perhaps identical with –>Akhra Pathakra) in unspecified rock (note 1) ist accessible by "trekking" or, for the less sportive, on foot from Tattapani (N31°14'56”: E77°05'10” WGS84), a village above the banks of the Sutlej River (note 2): »This peaceful village … is known for its hot sulphurous springs. It's a good place to wander about the hills for a day or so« (LONELY PLANET 2005: 256). ETYMOLOGY: »Tatta pani meaning hot water, is localed [sic! qua: located] … on the bank of Sutleg [sic!] river. The river is at 4-5 deg. celsius while the springs are at 60-70 deg. celsius. Nearby there is another newly discovered spot called Shiv-Gufa (cave)« (indiatravelite.com/travelogue/tattapani.htm accessed 2006.09.15). Since Internet websites advertise this Shiva Cave as a »hidden cave« we can rest assured that one of the autochthonous or indigenous cave names is Gupteshwar Gupha. SITUATION: At »only 655 metres and 51 km from Shimla« (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 193; 1993: 258) or at an elevation of »656 m« (LONELY PLANET 2005: 256; 2009: 342) and at travelling distances of about 55 km (note 3) from Shimla and »about 30 km below Naldehra [Naldera N31°11': E077°11'] on the banks of the Sutlej River, sleepy Tattapani (note 4) is known for its steaming sulphurous springs, which spill out onto a sandy river beach. But changes are afoot in Tattapani. A proposed hydroelectric project and dam about 35 km downstreak will flood the lower parts of the vlilage by 2010 …« (LONELY PLANET, India 2009: 342). APPROACH: From Shimla (Simla 31°06'N: 77°07'E) the village of Tattapani is reached by travelling 12 km along the road approximately north to Mashobra (N31°08': E77°14'), then 15 km to Naldehra (also Naldera N31°11': E77°11') and another 30 km to Tattapani (LONELY PLANET 2005: 256; 2009: 342). APPROACH 2009: »… you can walk to holy Shiva caves« (LONELY PLANET, India 2009: 342). APPROACH 2006: »You have to go through some 700 steps down to the hidden cave on the bank of a river surrounded by tall cliffs on all sides« (indiatravelite.com/travelogue/tattapani.htm accessed 2006.09.15). APPROACH 2003: »… there are local treks to a Shiva cave …« (LONELY PLANET, India 2003: 236; 2005: 256).
NOTE 1: VALDIYA (1962) reported to have discovered a »stromatolites structure« (fossil) in the Lower Shali Limestone occurring in the Tattapani area. NOTE 2: »The hot water is piped from a section of the Sutlej River to the two guesthouses on the bank« (LONELY PLANET 1997: 269). »The river is at 4-5 deg. celsius while the springs are at 60-70 deg. celsius« (indiatravelite.com/travelogue/tattapani.htm accessed 2006.09.15). NOTE 3: indiatravelite.com/travelogue/tattapani.htm (accessed 2006.09.15). NOTE 4: »Tattapani« (SUD 1981: 54; nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) or »Tatta-pani - Tatta pani« (indiatravelite.com/travelogue/tattapani.htm accessed 2006.09.15) at N31°14'56”: E77°05'10” (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) is indicated as »Tatapani« on AMS sheet NH43-04 Simla (U502 series, 1959 edition) and as »Tattapani« in the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 6 A3) at a spot about 16 km in a direct line or 30 km along the road (LONELY PLANET, India 2001: 240) north of Shimla (Simla) and 15 km along the road north of Mashobra (N31°08': E77°14').
Documents
Bibliography 28/03/2016- Lonely Planet, India 2003, 2005, 2009.
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11.9 | GHIANA CAVE 2 | ||
| 12.1 | SHALAGHAT, Solan (Cave at) | ||
| 12.1 | AA Cave (Glennie 1939) | ||
| 12.2 | GHIANA CAVE 1 | ||
| 12.7 | Saug Goffar | ||
| 14.3 | PAJYARE RA KOTLA 2 | ||
| 14.4 | PAJYARE RA KOTLA 1 | ||
| 14.9 | Arki Resurgence | ||
| 14.9 | LUTRU MAHADEVA CAVE |