High in the Himalayas, nestled within the Mustang district of Nepal, lies a trove of ancient mysteries: the Mustang Caves. Also known as “Sky Caves,” these roughly 10,000 enigmatic dwellings cling precariously to cliff faces, some soaring 150 feet above the valley floor. Their inaccessibility has long kept their secrets shrouded in shadows, accessible only to professional climbers and intrepid explorers.
A recent social media post by user @hiteshbindas reignited curiosity about these archaeological wonders, prompting questions about their origins, purpose, and the potential revelations they hold.
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For many travelers, exploring Nepal’s Mustang region is akin to finding the fabled Shangri-La valley. Mustang, which is located on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, became a part of Nepal in the eighteenth century. The area has isolated itself and maintained its traditional Tibetan culture in spite of integration. Mustang, also called Upper Mustang, was formerly the independent Kingdom of Lo. It is distinguished by its high-altitude desert with vivid red and ocher landscapes, deep gorges, and a wide blue sky. In 1991, visitors were given restricted access to the area.
The news portal further mentioned that for centuries, traveling ascetics of the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism have wandered the valleys of Mustang, using its caves to perform advanced tantric yoga. The deep gorges of Mustang are the perfect setting for those wanting to practice tummo, a form of Tibetan breathing that allows a person to generate heat at high altitude or tackle negative emotions.
Hikers can take in the stillness and the breathtaking views of the sky and mountains, as well as climb into a cave and stroll along narrow cliffs. The majority of caves are deserted, but some contain statues and frescoes. A village caretaker is required to unlock certain locked cave entrances. Amazing Tibetan art can be found in the temples of Mustang, once a thriving center of Buddhist scholarship and art.
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