Munish Sood
MANDI:
An ancient cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva has re-emerged near Sarar village, close to the well-known pilgrimage town of Tattapani, nearly 10 years after it was submerged due to rising water levels following the commissioning of the Kol Dam project on Sutlej river.
The cave, locally revered as a sacred Shiva gufa, was submerged around 2015 when the reservoir water level increased, flooding several low-lying areas along the river belt. Since then, the site was believed to be permanently lost, remembered only through local traditions, religious practices and oral history passed down through generations.
Before its submergence, the cave held immense religious significance and was a prominent centre of faith for devotees from surrounding regions. The site was known for housing a large number of naturally formed stone Shivlingas, considered sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva. These natural formations, shaped over centuries by geological processes, made the cave a unique spiritual destination and a place of deep meditation and penance.
The cave formed an integral part of the broader spiritual landscape of Tattapani, a region widely known for its natural hot sulphur springs and long-standing Shaivite traditions. Situated on the banks of the Sutlej, Tattapani has historically attracted saints, ascetics and pilgrims seeking both physical healing and spiritual enlightenment. The Shiva cave was regarded as a secluded extension of this sacred geography, offering devotees a tranquil space for prayer and contemplation.
The rediscovery was made by Prem Raina, a local social and spiritually inclined individual who recently managed to re-enter the cave after water levels receded. Describing the experience as deeply emotional and spiritually profound, he stated that despite years of submergence, the cave continues to retain an atmosphere of silence, devotion and meditative energy.
Local residents and devotees view the reappearance of the cave as more than a physical event. Many describe it as a spiritual and cultural revival, reconnecting the present generation with a vital part of the region’s religious heritage. The rediscovery has renewed faith among devotees and reignited interest in the area’s ancient spiritual traditions.
The cave’s re-emergence has also brought renewed focus on the broader issue of submerged religious and cultural sites affected by large infrastructure and hydropower projects in the Himalayan region. Community members have expressed hope that the site will now receive recognition, documentation and protective measures to preserve it for future generations.
