Table of Contents
Introduction
Hello everybody and welcome back to another episode of Decoding the Unknown. As always, I am your decoder, Simon. I’m here with one of my writers, in this case, Ilza. Thank you, Ilza, for writing this script. She’s put together today’s topic: the secrets of Agartha. I’ve never heard of this and have no idea what it’s about. That is the format of this show—I have a script in front of me and no idea what’s going to happen. Maybe you don’t either, and we’re going to go on an exploratory journey together. So let’s get started.
I have a pretty amazing job. I write for an Unsolved Mysteries channel. Every time I sit down to write a script, I realize that I have to suspend my disbelief to tell a good story. I approach every project with the goal of finding some truth, and mostly I succeed. Most mysteries have some logic behind them, though you might need to stretch to see it. So I apologize in advance: the idea of Agartha is enticing, and there are some interesting snippets, but the majority of this mystery has very little logic behind it. Instead of suspending my disbelief, I have to pack it away. I suggest you do the same.
The Tale of Olaf Jansen
In the spring of 1829, a Norwegian fisherman and his son Olaf set out to find the land beyond the North Wind. The further north they went, the stranger the journey became. They encountered expected icebergs, but soon their compass no longer worked—the needle just pressed against the glass. They got caught in a storm, and after hours of their small boat being tossed about, the water calmed. In the distance, they saw a small reddish sun.
Initially, they shrugged it off as a mirage, but as they sailed on, the sun became bigger until they realized it was real—a planet of some sort. They continued until they spotted land, anchored in a river, and went ashore. It was a green tropical island in the far north. While gathering nuts, they heard singing, and a ship came into view. Twelve giants, 12 feet (3.66 meters) tall, friendly and curious, disembarked and invited the fishermen aboard.
This began a visit to the land of giants that lasted almost two years. Olaf and his father learned about the giants: their language (similar to Sanskrit), culture, and customs. The giants were good-natured, musical, with an average lifespan of 800 years. They showed the visitors advanced technological wonders and revealed a secret: the Earth is hollow.
Olaf and his father had entered through an opening in the North Pole. The ocean waters flowed into this opening and continued inside, held to the underside of the Earth’s crust by gravity. There was one continent in the center of the Earth, with a single sun providing warmth. During a visit to the capital, a lush garden city called Eden—the same from which Adam and Eve were expelled—they met the high priest, the ruler.
The fishermen spent time with the high priest, telling him about the outside world. They toured the realm but after two years decided to return home. The journey was dangerous but successful. Sadly, Olaf’s father died, and Olaf got stranded on an iceberg. He was rescued and returned to civilization.
Upon returning, he told everyone about his voyage to the center of the Earth and was admitted to an asylum. Once released, he returned to fishing, never mentioning his adventure again, and retired to California. On his deathbed, he told the story to his friend and neighbor, novelist George Willis Emerson.
Emerson wrote “The Smoky God or Voyage to the Inner World,” published in 1908. He swore it was a true account, not fiction.
What is Agartha?
What exactly is Agartha depends on who you ask. There are as many versions as storytellers. Contrary to science, believers claim the Earth is hollow. The crust is around 800 miles (1287 kilometers) (1,200 kilometers (745 miles)) thick, with openings at each pole around 1,400 miles (2253 kilometers) (2,200 kilometers (1367 miles)) across. The edges curve gently from outside to inside, so a ship could travel from outer to inner sea without realizing it.
The South Pole is Antarctica, a continent the size of the U.S. and Mexico combined, and the North Pole ice cap is frozen year-round, so few approach the openings. Pilots claiming to fly across the North Pole follow compasses along the magnetic rim, not across the hole.
If you find an opening, braving ice, polar bears, freezing temperatures, and penguins, you’ve entered Agartha. Some confusion exists: is Agartha a country or city? Some say it’s the land in the inner Earth, with Shambhala as its capital. Others say Agartha is the city, or it’s a network of many cities.
It’s inhabited by thousands or millions. The underground civilization links to continents via tunnels, some natural, some created. Other entrances include Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, Mount Shasta in California, the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Manaus and Mato Grosso in Brazil, Iguazu Falls on the Brazil-Argentina border, Mount Epomeo in Italy, the Himalayas into Tibet, beneath the China-Mongolia border, Rama in India, and King Solomon’s mines.
These entrances are secret, guarded by initiates sworn to secrecy. Inhabitants are superior beings with advanced technology, intellect, and spiritual enlightenment. They don’t share this due to moral obligations not to interfere, like Star Trek’s Prime Directive.
They monitor us and warn us to change ways, as in the past. If we annihilate ourselves, they’ll help rebuild. Some believe they rule us via the King of the World, in contact with the Dalai Lama (who never admitted this).
Origin stories vary: giants, benevolent teros and evil deros (detrimental robots), slaves left behind when originals left the planet, or from Atlantis. Atlanteans destroyed themselves in nuclear war, survivors fled to Brazil, built subterranean cities to escape fallout and floods, linked by tunnels, and created a peaceful civilization.
Atlanteans had flying machines (UFOs from inside Earth). After 1945 atomic bombs, they surfaced to prevent disaster. Some speculate Mayans moved inside, explaining their disappearance (though descendants exist). Others say from Lemuria, a proposed continent. Native American and Inuit tribes claim origins inside Earth, but sources are unclear.
Origins of the Subterranean World Idea
The idea of an underground civilization with superior intellect or magic is ancient. In Irish tales, it’s the world of the Fae. King Harla attended a Dwarven wedding lasting three days; upon return, three centuries passed. Sir Thomas, enchanted by the Fairy Queen, stayed seven days; seven years passed, gaining prophecy. Reverend Robert Kirk was taken to the fairy realm in 1691 for collecting secrets.
In Greek lore, it’s Hades, ruled by Persephone and Hades, inhabited by shades of the dead. For Christians, it’s Purgatory or Hell below, as Heaven is above. In 445, Patrick found a cave entrance to Purgatory. Pilgrims visited; one knight in 1147 entered, faced demons, and emerged changed.
These are tales; no fairies or gods exist. Hell isn’t a fiery pit.
The Hollow Earth in Science
The concept was proposed by Edmund Halley (pronounced Hallie), astronomer, meteorologist, mathematician, physicist. Known for Halley’s Comet (returns 2061). In 1683, he concluded Earth has four magnetic poles. Earth has true and magnetic north/south; magnetic poles shift.
In 1687, using Newton’s Principia, Halley concluded Earth is hollow to explain density compared to the Moon. Earth consists of an outer sphere 500 miles (804 kilometers) (800 kilometers (497 miles)) thick, air gap, inner sphere held by gravity. Light provided by concave arches shining like the sun. Aurora Borealis is luminous matter escaping fissures at poles.
Newton suggested Earth is flattened; poles thinnest, explaining aurora visibility. Halley suggested inner life might be habitable but not by giants or aliens. He was a serious scientist explaining phenomena; science hadn’t advanced yet.
Agartha and Shambhala
Buddhism influences Agartha. Shambhala is a mythical kingdom of peace, tranquility, wisdom, possibly in Himalayas, Sutlej Valley, or Siberia. Inhabited by enlightened people, ruled by Kalki kings. The 25th Kalki will emerge to end greed and start a golden age (around 2424).
Shambhala can be literal (reachable with good karma) or spiritual. Hollow Earth believers claim Shambhala is Agartha’s capital, but Buddhist sources describe Shambhala as a standalone realm.
Europeans first contacted Tibet in 1624; it was mysterious, closed to foreigners in 1800s. Misinformation, creative interpretations of Eastern concepts, and cherry-picked science created narratives of hidden advanced civilizations inside the planet.
The Search for Agartha
Many accounts exist of visits to Agartha. Retired Captain John Symmes sent messages in 1818 declaring Earth hollow, habitable, with concentric spheres, open at poles 12-16 degrees. He offered to explore if funded.
Symmes, not a scientist, lectured but never raised enough for an expedition. He inspired Jeremiah Reynolds; they traveled together but parted over goals—Reynolds focused on science.
Reynolds’ first expedition failed; second (1838-1842) was government-backed scientific exploration. Whaling captains shared stories; one, Captain Adam Seaborn (pseudonym), published a 1820 book claiming he found the inner entrance and lived there.
Inspired by Symmes, Seaborn sailed south, found continent (Antarctica), continued into inner Earth, met peace-loving Symzonians. Banished for outer world’s dangers, he returned, lost fortune, wrote book (likely satirical by Nathaniel Ames).
Telepathic Visits and Esoteric Figures
Some visits were telepathic. Marquis Joseph Alexandre Saint-Yves d’Alveydre contacted Agartha around 1885. A philosopher proposing synarchy (joint rule), he studied Sanskrit with tutor Hadji Sharif, who told of Agartha beneath Himalayas.
After fallout, Saint-Yves received telepathic messages, astrally projected to Agartha, wrote book describing utopia ruled by synarchy-like system.
Madame Helena Blavatsky, medium, founder of Theosophical Society, introduced Western world to Eastern mysticism. Claimed travels to India/Tibet (unlikely for woman in 1850s). Learned of South American tunnels to underground civilizations near Cuzco, Peru. Had map but never used it.
Blavatsky was a charlatan; no references to Agartha outside Hollow Earth sources.
Nazi Involvement
Hitler was obsessed with occult and Aryan race. Theories include 1938 Bavarian crash (like Roswell) with Aryan aliens. Some claim Hitler believed we live inside Earth, on concave slope; sent team to Rügen in 1942 for radar to bounce rays off opposite side.
Another: Vril Society, based on Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s 1871 fiction “The Coming Race,” about underground Vril-ya with energy source vril. Hitler believed it fact, searched for entrance. Some claim Nazis found it; Hitler escaped there.
All from pro-Hollow Earth sources; unlikely true.
The Secret Diary of Admiral Byrd
Richard Byrd, naval officer, aviation pioneer. Claimed first North Pole flight (1926), possibly short. Led five Antarctica missions, including Operation Highjump (1946-1947): 4,700 men, 13 ships, 25 planes. Mapped 537,000 square miles.
Speech mentioned polar attack fear (Russia, not inner world). Secret diary (published post-death) details February 1947 flight: turbulence, wobbling compasses, mountains, green valley, mammoth, warm temperature, city.
Flanked by aircraft, landed in Ariana. Met master warning of nuclear path; they’ll safeguard knowledge for future.
No proof Byrd wrote it; no confirmations from crew. Son’s suspicious death unrelated.
Modern Day Believers
Beliefs trace to old sources. Diane Robbins claims 100 subterranean cities; inhabitants immortal from isolation. Rodney Cluff’s 2014 book; planned 2007 expedition (failed). 2002 USAF colonel claimed 1982 visit via Area 51 tunnels.
Sharula Aurora Dux, born 1725 in Telos, ambassador at Mount Shasta; interviewed but in seclusion since 1993.
Proof of Hollow Earth
Theorists cite planet formation: dust collapses to star; remnants form planets. Some photos suggest glowing openings. Mammoths: remains preserved as they’re recent, carried from inside by rivers (not extinction 10,000 years ago).
Civilians barred from poles; Google manipulates images; no flights over poles. All false: travel possible with permits; flights allowed but impractical; images composited over time, focus on interesting areas.
Found manuscripts (e.g., Olaf’s) are tropes like found footage, used in fiction (Frankenstein, Dracula).
Conclusion
This overview covers key Agartha quests; more exist (e.g., Nicholas Roerich, Shaver mystery). Stories inconsistent: shared ideas but no agreement on details. No reason for government secrecy; discovery would unite world, but inhabitants benevolent.
Earth not hollow; science proves it. Agartha is reassuring but false. Only surface dwellers can save the planet.
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