In this modern age and time, when faith in the superstitious and the weird is on a downturn, the practice of a section of low income families from the capital sending their virgin daughters to a cave for a night deserves special mention.

People of Duwachour village development committee (VDC) in Lalitpur, send their virgin daughters to spend a night in a cave to please the God –– Lord Mahadev. The residents of this VDC, unique god fearing masses have been observing this ritual for generations and “Gupteshwor Gufa”, the cave where they send the daughter holds a great respect among the people here.

Each year during Baisakh Purnima, full moon day considered auspicious and falling on May 26 this year, locals ask their unmarried daughters to stay on fast for a day and spend a night in the cave without falling asleep. Although people do not associate the practise with any legend, the occasion had been always a cause for celebration. They have deep faith over Lord Mahadev of the cave as they believe that God would protect them in natural calamities.

The cave is about 15m long with images of many Hindu deities. Elders say that Dhan Bahadur Singar (Tamang) had discovered the cave in 1928 AD. The Tamang clan has hence been performing daily ‘puja’ and necessary conservation work in the cave. Ward chairman Sanusingh Lama said the cave had been neglected as the outsiders do not know about it and locals are ignorant.

VDC chairman Guru Prasad Dulal rues that a feeder road to the cave could work wonders for internal tourism and the conservation of the cave. Garjaman Singar (Tamang), chairman of the cave conservation committee said that preparations are going on to celebrate the upcoming cave festival. And with it one night of anguish for the spinsters.