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Chapter 01
stretch from Kalapani to Nabhidhang and near the camp at Nabhidhang in Kumaun region that one can see the unique phenomenon, of 'Om', on the eastern side.
Certainly, in view of the above, Tirthankar Rushabhdev must have visited Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra track many a times before attaining Nirvana at this auspicious and spiritually charged location. We must look in the mythological literature for such details, as to know, when Rushabhdev attained Nirvana and which route he followed or has been following to go to KMY. Certainly the Kumaun Route was difficult but must have been closer to his Kingdom where his son Chakravarti Maharaja Bharat ruled and decided to construct Ashram or Samadhi at the Ashtapad site. We must find the answer to all such questions before beginning to search for the Ashtapad site. I suggest forming a small group of scholars of Jainism to go through the literature in CD's Volume I-XX to make a summary of all the information related to Ashtapad and Rushabhdev. This might help in our future archaeological investigations.
1.
Introduction to Research
Fig. 1: Om Parvat along the route through Kumaun Himalaya is quite interesting where partial snow cover on the folded Tethys sediments very well gives an impression resembling the word Om adopted in Vedic literature.
Further, in order to properly assess and search for Archaeological site of Ashtapad and verification/ confirmation by dating techniques is a must. The following facts may be kept in mind.
2.
Homo species evolved in Africa and its migration routes are well established, including the Indian Subcontinent.
Evolution of Paleolithic and Neolithic man in the Himalayan region is well established, evinced by the discovery of hominoid fossils like Ramapithicus, Shivapithicus etc. and stone tool factory Sites from Siwalik Hills dating back from few million years to as young as Late Quaternary to Holocene, i.e~15,000-12, 000 years. Such, climatic conditions
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Geological perspective at Kailash
