Chobhar caves

Chobhar caves are an extensive network of natural caves near the village of Chobhar, which is located 9 km southwest of Kathmandu, Nepal. Chobhar is also known for the Chobhar gorge through which all the water of the valley drains. A small temple of Adinath Sampradaya sits on top of a nearby hill. The temple offers a view of snow-capped mountains.^[1]

According to Swayambhu Purana and legend, Kathmandu Valley was once a lake. It is believed that the goddess Manjushree cut a gorge at a place called Chobhar Gorge, near Chobhar Ancient Hill Village (sp. also Chovar, chobar) and drained away the waters to establish a habitable land.

Recent explorations of the caves in April 2007 indicate that there are at least 6 known entrances all documented by GPS readings made by a French team of speleologists, led by Maurice Duchesne from France. A map of those caves is now available, but as the caves are often infiltrated by water due to fluctuating levels of the nearby Bagmati river, visitors are strongly advised not visit the inside of the caves without being accompanied by competent professional guides who have a compass and other equipment required for cave exploration. Minimum safety precautions should be taken. To date, no snakes have been sighted in these Chobhar caves but many sightings of hundreds if not thousands of bats.

Measuring a minimum of 1250 metres, Chobhar caves are the second largest in Nepal and the third largest in Asia. Cross country, the caves are a brief fifteen minute walk from ancient Chobhar Hill Village.

These caves have successively been explored by research teams from Czechoslovakia in 1980 and Germany in 1985.

References

1. ^ "Kathmandu". NepalHomepage.com. http://www.nepalhomepage.com/travel/places/hilly/ktm.html. Retrieved 2007-07-31. 

External links

• Bajracharya transmission in XIth century Chobhar:Bharo 'Maimed Hand's main disciple Vajra-kirti, the translator from Rwa
• Satellite picture of Chobhar