| With the discovery of a new cave within the Manjushree Cave in Kirtipurs’ Chobhar, Valley dwellers have a new park to visit. The cave, which has been called Tiger Cave, was discovered at the initiation of the Jalbinayak Community Forests Committee. With this discovery, the Manjushree Cave now comprises of six caves. With the aim of preserving the area and developing it as a recreation centre, the committee had taken charge of the park and the caves within two years ago. “We saw a hole but hadn’t dared to enter it before,” said Sujindra Maharjan, treasurer of the Committee. “This week, we finally entered the cave and walked through, till its end.” Rajendra Shakya of Kirtipur, a frequent visitor to the area, stated “I enjoyed my visit,” shared Shakya,adding “It’s an adventurous journey and I am sure that everyone will enjoy exploring the cave.” The entire Manjushree Cave is 1250 m long and, so far, 463 m of the cave has been opened to visitors. The Tiger Cave covers an area of 113.4 meter and a tour of the cave takes an hour. The cave, which has different entrances, also has a small pond within, which is yet to be named. The committee has built a park over the cave and hired a staff of 15 to act as guides for visitors. “It will be a relief to the residents of Kathmandu, who are always affected by traffic jams and garbage,” said Indra Bahadur Maharjan, chairman of Jalbinayak Community Forests Committee, adding. “It will be a place for recreation. We want to develop it so that it will attract both locals and foreigners. We have already had film-makers express an interest in the area.” It is believed that Kathmandu Valley was a lake surrounded by hills during the Pleistocene era. Manjushree, a saint who came to the Valley from China, cut a deep gorg,e allowing water to drain from the lake, the base of the which became the present-day Kathmandu Valley. The gorge today is Chobhar, and the cave has been named after the saint. The price for a ticket to enter the park is Rs. 10. Nepalis have to pay Rs. 50, Rs. 100, and Rs. 150 and the committee charge for tourists is $3, $ 5 and $ 10 as entry fees for the cave depending on the area they wish to cover during their visit. |
