Works to restore Guptabaraha begins

BY BABURAM KARKI,Barahakshetra, Dec. 21: The restoration of the ancient Guptabaraha site located on the banks of the Kaushiki River in Barahakshetra Municipality-1, Sunsari has begun under the leadership of local Yogesh Bhandari. 

Guptabaraha lies three km away from Chatara between Satra Number Bhir and Krishna Bhir along the road leading to the Barahakshetra Temple. This site is an important heritage of Eastern civilisation and culture. 

Construction of a stairway leading to Guptabaraha has started.  

According to Pandit Yogesh Bhandari, approximately 1,400 steps will be required to reach the cave of Guptabaraha, located 26 feet above the Koshi River. He informed that the steps were being built in the support of devotees and so far, 461 steps had already been completed. 

There is a belief that Lord Baraha appeared at Guptabaraha in response to the call of Aulia Math, the first human priest of Lord Baraha. Pandit Bhandari said, "One day, while on his way to perform the daily ritual at Barahakshetra from Chhatara Math, Aulia Baba fell ill and could not reach Barahakshetra. Suffering from fever, he entered the cave near the banks of the Koshi River and called upon Lord Baraha, who then appeared before him." Since then, prayers and rituals have been held at Guptabaraha.

Pandit Bhandari informed that efforts were underway to develop the site as religious tourist destination by renovating it. After completing the stairway construction, they plan to restore the internal structures of the cave and its courtyard. However, he said that progress has been slow due to a lack of funding.

The Guptabaraha cave has been overlooked in recent years, particularly after the expansion of the road network, which led to the closure of the route along the Koshi River that once provided access to the cave. Elders suggest that the younger generation should be educated about Guptabaraha and Aulia Math to ensure the site's preservation and promotion.