Retired Principal Uncovers Forgotten Cave in Pithoragarh After Decades of Abandonment
In a remarkable discovery, a 75-year-old retired principal has successfully rediscovered a long-forgotten cave located approximately 25 kilometers from Pithoragarh town in Uttarakhand. The cave, situated on the Rasaipata–Kaushal route, had remained abandoned and hidden for decades until the determined efforts of Laxmi Datt Sharma brought it back to light.
A Childhood Memory Leads to Rediscovery
Laxmi Datt Sharma, who previously served as the principal of an inter-college in Rasaipata near his native village Muddi, recalled a chilling incident from his childhood that led to the cave's abandonment. "In my childhood, two boys from the village — Keshav Datt Bhatt and Shiv Datt Bhatt — had entered the cave while grazing cattle, carrying a small pine torch. The flame went out inside, and they lost their way. Villagers managed to locate them after nearly 24 hours. After that incident, people stopped going near the cave, and its entrance gradually got buried under forest growth and debris," Sharma explained.
Determined Efforts Over Six Months
After retiring in 2013 and returning to his village, Sharma made it his mission to locate the cave once again. He first contacted Shiv Datt Bhatt, now 78 years old and residing in Khatema in Udham Singh Nagar district. Bhatt assisted Sharma by identifying the location and even drawing a rough map of the area to guide the search.
Over the past six months, Sharma, along with a few laborers, dedicatedly cleared nearly 50 meters of debris and vegetation around the cave entrance. Their hard work finally paid off, successfully reopening the site that had been concealed for so long.
Inside the Rediscovered Cave
Sharma described the interior of the cave as containing bats and natural formations that resemble figures of gods and animals. "There are bats inside the cave and natural formations resembling figures of gods and animals. Water also drips from one point inside," he noted. He added that further efforts will be made to explore deeper sections of the cave, potentially uncovering more secrets hidden within.
Tourism and Archaeological Interest
The rediscovery has sparked interest from local tourism officials. Tarun Mahar of the Berinag Kafal Hill Foundation stated, "Our team will visit the cave at Rasaipata and prepare a report." District tourism officer Kirti Arya confirmed that the tourism department and regional archaeological authorities will also survey the cave and take further action accordingly. This could lead to the site being developed as a tourist attraction, highlighting Uttarakhand's rich natural and historical heritage.
Key Points of the Discovery:
- The cave is located about 25 km from Pithoragarh town on the Rasaipata–Kaushal route.
- It was abandoned after an incident in the 1950s where two boys got lost inside.
- Laxmi Datt Sharma, a retired principal, led the effort to clear debris and reopen it.
- The cave features bats, natural rock formations, and dripping water.
- Tourism and archaeological teams plan to inspect and potentially develop the site.
This discovery not only revives a piece of local history but also opens up new possibilities for tourism and exploration in the region, showcasing the enduring spirit of curiosity and preservation.
