Tourism Info Nepal

Saraswati Cave in Taksar Losing Significance

Saraswati Cave in Taksar Losing Significance

On the day of Shree Panchami, while crowds gather at Saraswati temples across the country, the Saraswati Cave in Taksar, Bhojpur Municipality-12, near the district headquarters, has remained neglected due to a lack of understanding of its significance. The tradition of performing Saraswati Puja in schools has overshadowed such religiously significant places, leading to the cave’s historical importance being forgotten.

Located about half an hour away from the district headquarters, the Saraswati Cave in Taksar is slowly fading into obscurity due to the modern lifestyle and the younger generation’s shift towards technology. The belief that sitting inside the Saraswati Cave and chewing seven grains of rice enhances intellect has lost its significance, say locals.

In the past, children were brought to the Saraswati Cave on the day of the Saraswati Puja to learn the alphabet, but this tradition has since been abandoned, according to local Sanukaji Shakya. He adds that inside the cave is a stone with a full figure of Saraswati, highlighting the cave’s historical and religious value.

Before the 1990 earthquake, it was believed that devotees from the famous Siddhikali Temple in the district headquarters used to pass through the cave to reach Taksar. However, the earthquake blocked the path to the cave, making it difficult for people to visit.

Local teacher Deependra Shrestha suggests that clearing the path to the cave would not only restore its importance but could also turn it into a religious site. He believes that the tradition of performing Saraswati Puja at schools and introducing children to learning in schools has reduced the significance of the cave.

The local community also calls for the Ministry of Tourism to show interest in the Saraswati Cave, as it holds both religious and tourist significance. Local Bimal Ranpheli emphasized that places with historical importance, like this cave, should be preserved, and efforts should be made at the district level to promote such sites.

The cave got its name from the full figure of Saraswati etched into a stone inside, according to local legend. However, locals feel that due to neglect, religious sites like the Saraswati Cave are becoming mere names and losing their cultural and historical value. In the past, crowds would gather at temples for Saraswati Puja, but with the tradition shifting to schools and homes, the importance of such historic sites is diminishing, according to local Amrika Tamrakar.

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