Gupt Godavari is considered the holy place for Hindu culture. This place is having an important role in the old epic named Ramayana. It is the traditional place of the Chitrakoot. At this place, visitors would be seeing two caves. It is the old saying that Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman had come to these caves during the period of exile. In one of these caves, there is a small temple of Lord Rama and another cave is having Godavari River flowing through. Then this place is known by the name Gupt Godavari Chitrakoot.
This river is having something mysterious story which is not been declared yet. It is around 18 km away from the Ram Ghat. This place is having all the traditions of its own.
Two caves in between two mountains:
It is one of the most attractive places in Chitrakoot. One of these two caves is very big and another one is small but it is very long. If anyone enters the big cave then they would be finding silence all around. In this cave, there is no water but at the end of this cave, there would be one pond. Another cave is having water up to the knees and it would be very much mysterious to the people. Gupt Godavari cave is made naturally. The people would be feeling water where there is no water.
Ram stop in these two caves:
It is found from the old epic that Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman have spent some time in this cave during their exile. It is also seen that river Godavari which is flowing through these caves is not seen in the mountains. The water is being flowed throughout through the top of the cave. It was also believed that it is part of the demon Mayank. There was an old saying that this demon tried to take Mata Sita’s clothes when she was taking bath. Lord Lakshman made him die because of this work.
The saying of Valmiki and Tulsidas:
People can reach these caves from a narrow path. In this, a single person can only go. As a person goes inside the cave it becomes bigger and bigger. At the end of these caves, you would be finding a pond in the shape of a bow. This place waterfall is given the name bow pond. In this place, various small temples would be seen and each temple is having its own story and traditions.
Gupt Godavari ki Kahani:
The people would be seeing the statue of the trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and lord shiva. It was the fact that the Godavari has taken birth in Nasik which is 920 km away from Chitrakoot. It is having the old story that the Godavari River appears in the Gupt way to meet lord Rama in these caves. Mata Godavari was knowing that Lord Rama would be coming into these caves after some time. It is not yet declared what is the real story behind this. But some reflections would be seen in the old epic Ramayana like shabri was waiting for years of lord Rama as she was knowing that they would be coming to meet her.
Khatkhata chor:
The Gupt Godavari is having a stone which is producing sound when it is touched. It is one of the old sayings that it is protecting the cave. In this place, there is a temple in which people used to worship.
Timings for visiting Gupt Godavari:
The temples inside the caves are open between 7 A.M. to 6 P.M. This place is not having any entry fee. It requires only 2 to 3 hours for visiting this place.
Best time to visit:
The main factor to see while traveling to Chitrakoot is the weather at that particular time. The summer season is having 47 degrees Celsius and the scorching heat. So, it is my advice not to travel during the summer season. It is better to visit this place during the winter season. It would be very much helpful in enjoying sightseeing and picnicking in Chitrakoot.
How to reach?
Gupt Godavari Chitrakoot dham is located in Uttar Pradesh. Chitrakoot is not having any airports so it would be easier for you to travel by car, taxi, or bus.
- By road:
Chitrakoot is having a dense network of roads with various cities like Varanasi, Allahabad, Ayodhya, prayagraj, and many more. These roads are national highways which are very useful to you to reach Chitrakoot easily without any break. - By train:
Karvi is the only railway station that is found nearby to the Chitrakoot. You would be finding various taxis, and buses nearby to the railway station. If you do not want to take a taxi, or a bus then you may hire a car for the facilities. Chitrakoot is only 30 minutes away from the railway station. - By airplane:
Only bamrauli is the airport which is nearby to the Chitrakoot but it also takes 3 hours to reach Chitrakoot. When you reach the airport then you may take a taxi or hire a car to reach Chitrakoot without any problem.
Tourist attractions:
There are various attractions found near Gupt Godavari cave Chitrakoot which are as follows:
- Hanuman dhara
- Ganesh Bagh
- Ram ghat
- Bharat Milap temple
- Kamad giri Parvat & Kamatanath mandir
- Sphatik Shila
- Bharat Koop
- Sati Anasuya ashram
Conclusion:
Chitrakoot is a very wonderful place which is having beautiful surroundings and a nice sight viewing. Gupt Godavari river is also a part of Chitrakoot. This place is having some suspicion behind the river which is not declared to anyone.
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