Vyas Gufa is an ancient cave located on the banks of Saraswati river at Mana village in Chamoli district. Mana is the last Indian village that lies on the Indo-China border. This rustic cave was the temporary abode of Maharishi Vyas, who wrote the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It is the abode & literary ground of Maharishi Ved Vyas.
It is believed that the four Vedas were written inside this cave by Sage Vyas, who is considered as the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. This holy cave is more than 5,000 years old and houses a shrine that is dedicated to Maharishi Vyas.
Interesting Fact:
- The rock formation on the Vyas Gufa resembles the orderly stacking of palm leaf manuscripts, the oldest writing material which is worshipped as Vyas Pustak. Many believe this rock structure known as “Vyas Pothi” was the part which Ved Vyas couldn’t add in the holy texts or Granths.
- Mana village which nestles the Vyas Gufa is linked with the Hindu legend Mahabharata. It is here that the Pandava brothers along with their wife Draupadi commenced the Swargarohini Yatra, known as the pilgrimage to heaven. It is the only place on earth from where the mortals can go to heaven in their human avatar or body.
Religious Importance:
Vyas cave has an utmost religious significance in the Hindu religion. This is the place where sage Vyas wrote the 18 Puranas and classified the Hindu Vedas into 4 parts namely- Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, and Atharva Veda. It was here that Guru Adi Shankaracharya met Maharishi Vyas for the discourse of Bhashyam to compile Brahma Sutras. Hence, the cave is considered to be sacred.
Things to see:
The most interesting feature of this cave is the rooftop which appears like the leaves from a holy scripture written by Sage Vyas. You can also see the statue of Maharishi Vyas installed inside the cave which is worshipped by the pilgrims.
Vyas Gufa Overview:
| Distance From Badrinath: | 4 km |
| Entry Fee: | Free |
| Trip Duration: | 1 Hour |
| Best Time to Visit: | May, June, September, October |
| Location: | Mana Village, Chamoli District |
| Transportation Options: | Walk/Trek |
Things to do in and around Vyas Gufa:
Vyas Gufa in Mana village offers amplitude of opportunities to shop local handicraft items, woolens etc. which one can take back as souvenirs. You can also sip a cup of hot tea at the last teashop of India which lies adjacent to Vyas Gufa. Shutterbugs can indulge in photography here and the history buffs can check out the cave’s history.
If you are a trekking enthusiast then you can commence some of the famous treks from here like Mana Pass Trek, Satopanth Trek, Vasudhara Trek and Charanpaduka Trek. Some of the nearby tourist attractions to visit from Vyas Gufa are Bhim Pul, Vasudhara Fall, Ganesha Gufa, Satopanth Lake and Mount Neelkanth Base.
Local Info:
Vyas Gufa is a naturally formed cave which was the hermitage and literary ground of Sage Vyas. The cave has a small-narrow entrance, having a limited space inside. The cave bears a peaceful and heavenly aura.
One can reach here by commencing a long yet rewarding trek. The trek involves a steep 2-3 km climb. One cannot access this place by vehicle so it is necessary to take the climb. On reaching the top, you’ll be blessed with the view of the Saraswati river.
Enrapture in spiritual bliss at Vyas Gufa:
Many people visit the Ved Vyas Gufa for achieving spirituality. One can listen to the discourse of the priest. Several hymns and verses are sung by the pandit, narrating sage Vyas ’s journey from his birth, early life to his literary genesis.
Travel Tip for Vyas Gufa:
- It is better to visit Vyas Gufa in the morning as there is no crowd
- Since the trek to Vyas Gufa involves a steep climb, elderly people shouldn’t try it. People who are old, unfit or have health issues can take the Bhim Pul route to reach here.
How to reach Vyas Gufa:
Vyas Gufa is enclosed in the Mana village near Badrinath temple in Chamoli district. Mana village is situated at a distance of 4 km away from Badrinath Dham and can be easily accessed. Badrinath Dham is well connected with major cities of Uttarakhand by swift motorable roads. Rishikesh railway station at 297 km is the nearest railhead to Vyas Gufa. Jolly Grant airport at 315 km is the closest air connectivity from here.