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Friday, December 9, 2022

Gupteswar Cave Temple, Ramagiri – Legends

Gupteswar Cave Temple, Ramagiri – Legends

Gupteswar Linga:

As per legend, the Gupteswar Linga was discovered by Lord Rama in Dandakaranya forest during his exile with his wife Sita and Lakshman in the region. The adjacent hill opposite to the cave is called as Ramagiri Hills. The poet Kalidas described the scenic beauty of the forest around the Ramagiri Hills.

The cave temple finds mention in his famous work Meghadutam. Over the time, the shrine was abandoned, and the location of the Shiva Linga was lost. Later, in the 19th century, a tribal hunter of the Durua caste rediscovered the Lingam and informed the then King of Jeypore Maharaja Vikram Dev. The king built the current shrine and arranged for worship.

Lord Shiva appeared as Hunter to the King of Jeypore:

As per legend, Once, Maharaja Vikram Dev of Jeypore went for a hunting expedition in the Ramagiri forest. He was chasing a deer and disappeared from his sight. He found a cave guarded by a hunter in the middle of the forest. The King went to the hunter and enquired about the deer. The hunter informed the king that he did not saw the deer entering into the cave.

The king went to a small waterfall near the cave to quench his thirst. After drinking the water, the king decided to take rest in the cave. The king realized the presence of Lord Shiva in the cave during his sleep. The king searched for the hunter and was not able to find him. The king realized that the hunter is none other than Lord Shiva. He decided to build a temple for Lord Shiva and arranged regular worship.

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