Gupt Godavari - A Secret River & Mysterious Caves in Chitrakoot
Gupt Godavari, was developed by a strange phenomenon that took place about 65 million years ago, Read to know more...
Deepika Joshi
Dotted with temples and religious tourist spots that are linked to Rama, Bharat, Hanuman, and Sita, Chitrakoot attracts pilgrims throughout the year.
One such spot, Gupt Godavari, was developed by a strange phenomenon that took place about 65 million years ago.
It is a long, narrow crack developed in the earth's surface due to hot and molten lava oozing out and spreading across the surface. When the lava cooled, it formed flat-topped plateau-like structures.
It is believed that the Gupt Godavari is the place where the peeping-tom monster, Mayank, tried to spy on Sita while she was bathing in a pool. Enraged by his action, Lakshmana petrified him and stuck him to the roof of this cave.
Today, that place is an outcrop of black rock protruding from the paler roof of the cave.
The fairly narrow mouth of this cave opens out into a large cavern with two interesting features, one of them being a cave with black rock. The second feature is known as Sita Kund, a small pond in which Sita was bathing when Mayank tried to spy on her.
Not to be missed! The two-cave system inside a mountain is always filled with knee-high water. The bigger cave, with two stone, carved thrones, is considered to belong to Rama and Laxmana. The second cave connects with the story of Sita Kund.
Among all the tourist places in Chitrakoot, Gupt Godavari holds an exceptional level of prominence. The caves also boast intricately carved sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
As per legend, River Godavari flowed from Nasik to this place simply to have a glimpse of Rama. The Gupt or the hidden Godavari emerges from the cave, flows into a pond, and vanishes underground.