Sikkim is an ideal destination for those seeking a blend of mountains, rivers, and diverse cultures. Renowned for its rich biodiversity, Sikkim is also famous for its sacred caves, attracting visitors from around the globe who wish to delve into its cultural heritage. The region is dotted with numerous temples and places of worship. Interestingly, Sikkim is home to several culturally significant lakes. The majority of Sikkim's population practices Buddhism and reveres Lord Buddha, which piques interest in the various holy caves found throughout the area. Sikkim boasts four prominent holy caves, known collectively as the ‘paanch dhaam’. These caves are situated in the cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—and were sanctified by Guru Padmasambhava as the abodes of certain Protective Divinities in Esoteric Buddhism. Today, these caves are important pilgrimage sites for Buddhist followers from Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal.
How to Visit the 4 Caves
There are several ways to reach the Four Holy Caves, and while it is not necessary to visit them all at once, it is highly recommended to follow the correct procedure to fully benefit from this pilgrimage. It is advised to undertake this journey during February and March or October and November when the weather is more favorable and the conditions at these sites are optimal for visits. The pilgrimage to the Four Holy Caves should be done in a clockwise direction, starting with circumambulating the Tashiding Hill, a popular spot of Sikkim Tourism. Begin your journey at the Eastern Cave, ‘Sharchog Beyphug,’ proceed to the Southern Cave, ‘Khadro Sangphug,’ then to the Western Cave, ‘Nub Dechen Phug,’ and finally to ‘Jhang Lhari Nyingphug,’ before concluding the pilgrimage at Tashiding.
Explore the Spiritual Core of Sikkim, the Former Himalayan Kingdom of India
Sharchog Beyphug - the Eastern Cave
This cave in Sikkim is situated to the east of Tashiding, approximately 6 km from Raba Angla. While many opt to travel by vehicle, the cave can also be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. The height of Shar-choe-bay-Phuh cave ranges from 5 feet to 100 feet. The cave's top and walls feature mystical patterns of great religious significance, attributed to the various deities and ritual objects blessed by Guru Padmasambhava during his time in the cave.
Khadro Sangphug - the Southern Cave
Khando Sangphu, known as the "Secret Cave of the Dakinis," is located to the south of Tashiding, about 7 km from Leghip Bazaar. The cave's height ranges from 2 to 20 feet and extends inward nearly 12 feet. Nearby attractions include tshi-bum (longevity vase), simo-tuldo (witch stone), phur-tsha-chu (hot spring), simo-sampo (witches bridge), and a lhakhang (temple).
Nub Dechen Phug - the Western Cave
It means "The Cave of Great Happiness." According to Denjong Neyig, the phrase "Chimme tshetar drubpa nup dechen phuu" translates to "the western cave of great happiness bestows a blessing of longevity." Guru Padmasambhava's blessings for this cave are believed to extend an individual's lifespan.
Lhari Nyingphug - the Northern Cave
The name translates to "Heart of the Gods Cave." This site contains seven caves, each symbolizing the abode of a different deity. Guru Padmasambhava hid numerous valuable artifacts and items within this cave to guarantee the prosperity of this hidden land. The northern cave is often regarded as the most sacred among them all. Moreover, if you're planning to travel from Canada to India, Flyopedia.ca offers some of the most affordable deals on international flights.
A Brief Note on Guru Padmasambhava
Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is revered as the founder of Buddhism in Tibet. In both Sikkim and Tibet, he is honored with the title “second Buddha,” considered an incarnation of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. In the 8th century, at the request of the Tibetan king Thrisong Detsen (756-796), Guru Padmasambhava spread Buddhism throughout Tibet. During his travels to and from Tibet, he visited Sikkim multiple times, meditated in various locations, and prophesied that Buddhism would firmly establish itself in the region within a few centuries. During his journey, he hid many spiritual treasures encoded in secret places, such as the caves of Sikkim, which have since been regarded as holy.
