A large portion of the Himalayas is blessed with several
caves visited by the most revered person of Vajrayana Buddhism – Guru Padmasambhava,
or more popularly known as Rinpoche. In some he meditated himself, in some he
initiated his favourite disciples or consorts, in some he hid secret treasures
or Tormas, or some he just simply visited. Sharchhog Bayphug is one such cave
that Rinpoche visited sometime during 8th century A.D. Located in
the outskirt of Ravangla town this place does not come under popular tourist
spots of Ravangla. Even know-it-all google will return little knowledge.
Our car dropped us in front of a stairway that had descended
and disappeared down in the woods. We started climbing down. Sharchhog Bayphug
had a monastery for which we had to climb down further. The cave was situated
much higher up. Not a single soul was to be seen except a few workers. The
entrance of the cave was decorated with mani stones, prayers threads and
offering bowls. The belly of the cave was looking pitch black from outside. A
sound of multiple footprints was coming out of the inner sanctum. We were
confused because the gate was closed when we got there. Upon probing we found
out that water dripping out of a crevice was getting echoed and making that
noise. We wanted to explore the cave all the way in but without a guide it did
not seem to be a good idea. Also, nobody except the driver actually knew we
were there.
On our way back we got ourselves a company. A dog appeared
out of nowhere and didn’t leave our side until we reached the car. He was
reminding me of our companion on our Tango Monastery trek. I am a person full of
faith and possibilities. I wouldn’t be surprised if some mountain deity took
the shape of dog and came to see us off. Even the legends say most of the great
yogis and Rinpoches including Padmasambhava are still alive and living
incognito among us. You never know.
Our Ravangla tour was over. We were heading back for Gangtok
again. We halted at the Temi tea garden en route and enjoyed freshly brewed
organic tea.
We spent our last day of the trip in a leisurely manner. Fortunately
the sky remained clear the whole day. We had kept the day for shopping and
buying souvenirs. An open air art exhibition was going on the pavement of MG
Marg. We sat at Baker’s Café while looking at people on the open promenade
wishing we could stay there forever. It was time to go home. But then I wondered
this place where I came for 3 times in last two years, was it also not home for
me? A part of my soul is entrapped here and I will keep coming back looking for
that part of me whom I miss every single day of my life in the city that I call
my home.
The end
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