On my latest adventure, I was fortunate enough to explore the heart of the biggest cave in Nepal – the Siddha Gufa. Located amidst the treacherous terrain of the Bimalnagar area, this cave is a wonderland for adventure seekers. If you’re looking for an experience that stretches beyond the typical temples, mountains, and nepalese culture, let me invite you to the lesser-explored underground world of Siddha Gufa.
As we were on our way to Siddha Gufa, we took a car hire from Kathmandu and drove towards Bimalnagar, which took about 4 hours. Upon reaching, we were welcomed by the sheer rawness of nature. The trail leading to the caves was quite daring, crawling through rocks, crossing water streams and climbing uphill paths. An endurance test indeed! As an experienced traveller I can tell you, the best adventures always lay hidden far from easy roads. And so it proved once again at Siddha Gufa.
With a headlamp secured around my forehead and a heart fluttering with the excitement of the unknown, I began my descent into the Siddha Gufa. The first steps within this cave turned all my preconceptions upside down.
The cave extends deep and wide. With nearly 437 meters depth and 50 meters height, it’s a multi-storied cave, with a mix of steep and simple stretches. The subterranean world of Siddha Gufa is filled with stalactites, stalagmites, bats, spiders, and other creatures dwelling in its heart. Navigating through darkness with the squeaking bats above and the cold, damp rocks underneath was definitely a hair-raising experience.
From gigantic halls to narrow alleys, every section of Siddha Gufa has an abundance of natural structures, all shaped by the continuous process of erosion and deposition that has been going on for millions of years. I was awestruck by the beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Their shapes vary from tiny needle-like formations to giant pillars reaching from floor to ceiling, like nature’s sculptures embellishing the dark world beneath.
The Siddha Gufa isn’t merely an underground wonder, but it’s also a place of spiritual significance to the locals. One of the locals told me that the name ‘Siddha Gufa’ comes from the belief that many ‘Siddhas’ (realized beings) had meditated inside this cave to attain liberation or ‘Moksha’. As I sat there, it was easy to imagine why. The absolute silence, disturbed only by the occasional dripping sound, was soothing. Spending some introspective moments within the cave provided me a unique spiritual experience.
If your travel to Nepal, known globally for Everest and Annapurna ranges, incorporates more than towering peaks, Siddha Gufa is a must-visit. Whether you are a nature enthusiast or an adventure lover, exploring Siddha Gufa offers an enchanting and thrilling narrative of untouched beauty, exhilarating adventure, and a unique spiritual experience.
As I wrapped up my journey, ascending back into the daylight, I was overcome with an overwhelming sense of awe. My exploration of Siddha Gufa not only satiated my thirst for adventure but also left me with a profound respect for nature and its endless mysteries.
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