Reassessing Varanavat and the Hiḍimba Territory: A Kathmandu–Hetauda Perspective Based on Textual and Geographical Evidence

श्रीगणेशाय नमः ।। श्रीसद्गुरुभगवतः चरणकमलेभ्यो नमः ।। श्रीस्वस्थानीदेव्यै नमः ।। श्रीशिवाय नमः ।। श्रीअधिष्ठातृधार्यिनाधिसयनीदेव्यै नमः ।।

Abstract (English)

The identification of geographical locations mentioned in ancient epics has long been a subject of scholarly inquiry in the field of epic geography. This study examines the possible locations of Varanavat and the territory associated with Hidimba, as described in the Mahabharata, particularly in the Aadi Parva. Traditional interpretations commonly associate Varanavat with Barnawa in Uttar Pradesh and the abode of Hidimba with Manali in Himachal Pradesh. However, several textual and geographical inconsistencies arise when these identifications are examined closely.

This research adopts a qualitative and descriptive approach based on textual analysis and historical-geographical comparison. Key geographical clues found in the epic, which includes directional references, descriptions of dense forests, the presence of sal trees, river crossings, wetland birds, and estimated travel duration, are analyzed and compared with present day landscapes. The study particularly explores the possibility that the eastern region of Kathmandu, associated with the ancient shrine of Pashupatinath Temple, may correspond to the Varanavat described in the text. Similarly, the region around Hetauda is examined as a potential location for the forest territory connected with Hidimba.

The textual references indicating a southward movement from Varanavat, passage through dense forests, repeated river crossings, and arrival at a forested region within roughly a day’s journey are compared with the geographical characteristics of the Kathmandu-Hetauda corridor. Additional cultural and toponymic elements, such as local traditions, place names, and ecological features including sal forests and nearby water bodies, are also considered in the analysis.

While the study does not claim definitive historical identification, it presents a reasonable alternative geographical interpretation that aligns several textual indicators with the Kathmandu-Hetauda landscape. The findings highlight the potential of interdisciplinary approaches combining epic literature, historical geography, environmental context, and regional traditions in reassessing the locations of ancient epic narratives.

Keywords: Epic Geography; Mahabharata; Varanavat; Hidimba; Kathmandu; Hetauda.

Introduction