The Kalaroos caves, situated in the dense forests of the Kupwara district, have always been shrouded in mystery and mythology. To the elders of the region, the caves are more than just geological formations; they are part of a legendary tale that connects the Kashmir Valley with Russia.
The caves were reportedly constructed hundreds of years ago by Russian tradesmen, according to local legend. Due to the fact that it is said that the caves connect the Kashmir Valley and Russia, many myths and legends have been attached to them. The legends concerning the caves, which the village elders have passed down from generation to generation, are now part of local mythology.
The sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling can be heard in the distance as one makes their way through the dense forest towards the caves. It takes about an hour to get to the caverns because of the steep, rocky trail that leads there. The sound of water trickling from the damp, dark cave walls creates an eerie and mysterious environment around the caves.
The caves themselves are enormous, and they contain a number of interconnecting channels. In some places, it is challenging to get around due to the moss-covered, touchable slippery walls. Tourists frequently visit the caves, and there are plenty of local people available to lead them around the channels.
It is unclear exactly how old Satbaran is or what its purpose was, but locals believe it was once an ancient temple. Other caves in the area include Tramkhan, which contains poor-quality copper deposits and a discolored board with Chinese writing. Despite the mystery surrounding the caves, experts say Kashmir has a long history of trade ties with Russia and the former Soviet Union, as well as cultural and linguistic similarities.
Even though the caves are regarded as a natural wonder, myth and legend also surround them. There are many stories regarding how they came to existence because it is thought that they link Kashmir and Russia. The caves, known as Qil-e-Roos or Russian Fort, are said to have been hiding places where people prayed for salvation.
The myths and traditions associated with the caves have shaped the local culture and continue to draw tourists from all over the world. The caves are not just a natural wonder but also a reminder of the region’s lengthy and varied history.
In addition to the caves, Kalaroose village also has other places of interest. The Satbaran Stone, which is located in the Lashtyal village, is a massive structure with seven doors. The doors are known as Sath Barr and are believed to lead to the underworld. There are also several other ancient temples in the district that are worth visiting.
In 2018, a team of American explorers embarked on a journey to explore the Kalaroos Caves in Kashmir. The team was led by Amber and Eric Fies, who are from Purcellville and run a stallion farm called Elite Power Stables and North Star Adventure Consulting, LLC. They were accompanied by Vamsi Ramakrishna, an interpreter from India who works for the software company InfoCepts, and Dustin Kisner, an expedition caving advisor from Ohio. Maryland natives Tyson and Letha Anderson made up the support group.
The company took part in some sightseeing before going inside the caves. When the explorers entered the caves, they learned that while the caves weren’t particularly important in terms of archaeology, they were very significant in terms of geology. They therefore suggested that additional research should be done in order to solve the geological puzzles of the caves.
