Gupteswar Cave

Gupteswar Cave is a Shiva-dedicated cave shrine. It is a pilgrimage destination located 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Jeypore in the Koraput District of Odisha, India.

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It is a limestone cave with the massive Shiva Linga as its main feature, which is supposed to be growing in size.

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The cave is thought to have been found by Rama and rediscovered during Maharajah Veer Vikram Dev’s rule.

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Devotees travel to the shrine barefooted with adorned bamboo palanquins called “Kanwadiya” and bathe in the maha kund before worshipping Lord Gupteshwar during the holy month of Shravan.

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The Shiva linga shrine is reached via 200 steps. It has a 3 meter (9.8 ft) wide and 2 meters (6.6 ft) high entrance.

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Legend : A 2 meter (6.6 ft) high lingam rises in the cave, surrounded by a lush grove of sal trees and bordered by the Kolab River.

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Because the lingam stayed undetected for such a long time, the shrine is known as “Gupteswar,” which means “God in hiding.”

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