Gupt Godavari

History

Local tradition links the hidden stream to Rama and Lakshmana’s stay in the region. Pilgrims walk into the cave to see the water channels and tanks.

It is commonly paired with Sati Anasuya and other hillside spots on the same outing.

Stories

The Demon, the Pool and the Cave Roof

Madhya Pradesh Tourism relays a local belief that this is where a monster named Mayank tried to spy on Sita while she bathed in a pool. Lakshmana, enraged, is said to have turned him to stone and fixed him to the cave roof, where a dark outcrop of rock is pointed out today. The small pond below is called Sita Kund. Another tradition says the river Godavari flowed all the way from Nashik to this spot just to have a glimpse of Rama, and then continued hidden underground.

Two Caves With Knee-Deep Water

Gupt Godavari consists of two caves inside a hill, both kept filled with knee-high water. The bigger cave has two carved stone seats that are regarded as the thrones of Rama and Lakshmana, and the walls carry sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism explains the long, narrow cleft as the result of lava that cracked and spread across the land millions of years ago. Pilgrims wade through the water and leave by the mouth of the lower cave, where a stream comes out and then vanishes underground.

Good to know

Cave stream and tanks (district tourism description)

M.P. side of the Chitrakoot yatra

Often combined with Sati Anasuya Ashram

Getting there

Taxi from Chitrakoot / Karvi. Rail: Chitrakoot Dham Karvi. Air: Prayagraj or Khajuraho.