Kathmandu. The Gupteshwor cave, which has historical, religious and archaeological importance, has earned Rs 525,715 in a single day. The cave is located in the tourist capital of Pokhara-17, Chhorepatan.

A total 6,078 people including 4,472 foreign tourists, 1,487 domestic tourists and 119 students had observed the cave on Sunday, according to Laxman Bastola, chairperson of the cave management committee.

He said that the view of the leafy waterfall that can be seen after reaching around 100 meters along with the view of the natural-made Shiva idol located at 500 meters inside the cave has increased the attraction of tourists. ”

Entry fee has been arranged at Rs 50 for domestic tourists, Rs 100 for foreign tourists and Rs 35 for students. The mechanical Kamdhenu built inside the cave is also a good income from the donations made by the cows and devotees.

“We have been investing in the conservation and promotion of the cave as well as in education sector from the income generated from the cave that has been publicized for the past three decades,” Bastola said. Gufa has established and operates Gupteshwor Mahadev Multiple Campus where more than 800 students are studying. ”

A Gurukul is also being run in the Dharamshala Hall of the cave. The Gurukul, which runs classes up to grade 11, currently has 48 students studying in the school and has also provided financial assistance to nearby community schools. According to him, the cave has been earning between six to seven crore rupees annually.

Stating that apart from the ticket of the cave, Kamdhenu cow and donations made by the devotees have become a source of additional income, he said, adding that the 1008 milligram Shaligram brought from Mustang, Budhanilkantha idols and the Navagraha constructed at the entrance of the cave are the attractions in the cave premises.

According to Narayan Poudel, chief of the cave office, the number of tourists has increased in Pokhara with the increase in heat of late. Tourists coming to Pokhara have started feeling incomplete if they return without visiting the cave. According to him, it is difficult to manage the cave of six thousand people due to the increase in crowd.