Tripura- ancient caves

Tripura’s Chabimura: A Mysterious Isolated Place with Huge Tourism Potential

The rock carvings of ChabiMura also known as Debtamura are located in the northeastern corner of Amarpur sub-division of Gomati district in South Tripura. Tripura being a hilly track has seven mountain ranges; Jampui, Sakhantang, Longtharai, Atharamura, Boromura, Devatamura and Sardeng. ChabiMura rock carvings of #Debtamura ranges are fine specimens of old Vedic sculptures. Wrapped in deep winter mist and soft chill, quiet flows the river Gomati – piercing through two massive mountains and moist verdure-to an ancient place- a place that has long been forgotten and long forsaken. While Unakoti of Kailashahar is relatively well known, the rock carving on bank of Gomati River at #Chabimura represents another exclusive beauty lying virtually untapped.

Debtamura just like Unakoti is enchanted, mysterious and isolated. Located deep in the forest with no human anywhere within 50 to 60 kms of its radius the two panels of the rock cuts- several miles apart – of unspecified deities of Hindu pantheon- just carved out at the steep rocky face of straight cliff that descends directly to the river bed about 150-200 feet below – are the archaeological splendor that is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. The only sounds here are those of nature – like the river which, after charting an arduous course through hills and dales, forests and verdure, gurgles like a baby in its cradle, or the birds that chirp as if to humour it. Damburu Falls commences at the top of Devtamura, continuing through a series of terraces.

The rock carving on the vertical rock facing river Gomati consists of images of Shiva, Vishnu, Katikeya, Ganesha and Sakti Devi; can also be called as Panchdevata. On the downstream western side of panel, there is another small carving which shows precession of a queen on a palanquin, followed by a group of persons. The panel consists of 37 images of male and female persons with leader. At a distance of 500 meters on the western side of main panel downstream, there is another panel of Brishabahana Siva, holding Damuru. Next is colossal figure of ten-armed Mahisasur-Mardini which is carved at considerable distance from Shiva carvings. Chabimura is also reputed for the Devi Chakrakma legends. The Hair of Devi is carved with many snakes with erecting heads. It should be noted that the word “Tripura” is associated with Shiva and Shakti and Debtamura is associated with these gods.

The carving also looks to be associated with Tantra (Science of cosmic principles in combination with sounds and vibration), not usually seen in Unakoti sculptures. A half an hour onwards boat journey along with river reveals a weird bend. On left side is the #CaveUnvisited by humans and it is said it had mysteries of gigantic python. It is said that Jamatias used to live here and was driven by cobras. To the west of this area is Burtiari. Some legends also says that the idols and carvings at Chhabimura predates Mahabharta and existed at the time of Bhagdutta (King of Pragjyotishpur, current Assam but possible whole north-east at that time) and was worshipped after war by Gandhari, an ardent disciple of Lord Shiva and ally of Bhagdutta who participated in the war at Kauravas side.

The purpose of the carvings, and the artists who carved them are unknown and deeper research needs to be done. The Gumti/Gomti River looks to be associated with Tripura and is mentioned as sacred river and references of Gomati River could be found from East of India till Gujarat in Dwarka. Was Gomati River once full-fledged river from East to West of India? ChabiMura rock carving is an ancient master piece which needs proper care to preserve the ancient site. Can you imagine, had these ancient sites been in a foreign country what kind of importance would have been attached to it and how they would go all out to make it an important tourist destination? Now this archeological treasure requires a great uplift. A visit to the place is worth and lifetime experience.

=====================================================

Notes & References

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Panda, IAS, Chief Secretary

Dutta, Sristidhar; Tripathy, Byomakesh (2006). Buddhism In North-East India