A Passage to India

The narrator describes the natural setting of the Ganges and Marabar Caves near Chandrapore. An overview of the Himalayas emphasizes their historical precedence over the Hindu religion. The Marabar Caves are described as having successfully remained untouched by man and that no religious figure “has left [a] legend of struggle or victory in the Marabar” (136).

The caves have an ambiguous nature. They have a reputation for being extraordinary, yet many have never visited them. The caves accessible to visitors have entrances made for exploring, but it is uncertain whether there are more undiscovered caverns in the rock that will persist undisturbed by man far into the future. There are survey reports that suggest the number of undiscovered caverns in the Marabar caves could vastly exceed expectations. “Nothing is inside them, they were sealed up before the creation of pestilence or treasure” (138) and therefore act as distinct spaces untouched by man.

The Kawa Dol, a large and precariously placed boulder, is the main attraction of the caves as it provides the most enticing natural view to the visitor. The boulder is hollow and often moves in strong winds but does not fall.