In this show of our documentary travelogue on steemit, "Bharat Darshan: exploring the unexplored", Sukhnidhey Films (www.sukhnidhey.com) takes you to explore the very ancient caverns of Gupt Godavari in Madhya Pradesh, India, which despite association with the great epic, the Ramayana, and mentions in several ancient texts, have long remained forgotten and unknown to the general masses. The caves have some of the most exquisite natural patterns and carvings.
We explore these two natural caverns that exist in Gupt Godavari, one dry,high and wide, and the other small and narrow, tunnel like, with a perennial stream of knee deep water running throughout its length. It is said that India's second longest river, Godavari, secretly appeared here in the caves, and again disappeared beneath the ground into a water pond outside the caves. In Ramayana, the author sage Rishi Valmiki describes how the caves were unsurpassed in their beauty, and echoed with divine sounds. They are said to have been pre built by the Gods (Devtas) for the stay of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana during their exile.
We first enter the theater like Cave-1, and show you around several spots as mentioned in the Ramayana, where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana spent some time of their exile. An ancient temple of Lord Ram, Devi Suiya is seen, which are a feast to the eyes amidst the dark environment of the caves.
We next show you the 'Dhanush Kund', which remains full with fresh water all year around, being fed by perennial streams of Godavari river. But take care while walking around the periphery of this Kund, for it is very slippery and a slight loss in balance would take us deep into the dark depths of the ancient pond in the caves.
The caves have some of the most exquisite natural patterns and carvings on their walls, which are seen up close. What's more, we learn about the demon Mayank, who, as mentioned in the texts, had stolen Maa Sita's clothes, when Lakshman caught hold of him and hanged him upside down from the cave's ceiling, cursed him, following which the rakshasa petrified into a stone. We still see a black stone, which appears out of place among the brown surrounding limestone, hanging down onto the cave's ceiling, which is believed to be the cursed demon, locally called, 'Khatkhata Chor'!
Next, we enter the second cave, which is extremely narrow and tunnel like, forcing us to squeeze our self through. We spot some extraordinary natural patterns in the cave, one of the most exquisite one being that of the Sheshnag, Lord Vishnu's divine manifestation. Lord Vishnu in the scriptures is shown resting on the Sheshnag, and it is said that this natural pattern of the divine serpent appeared in the cave to provide shelter to Lord Rama, who was Vishnu's own incarnation in that period of time, the Treta Yuga.
Watch out as we navigate through the tight passages in the cave through knee deep waters and on extremely sharp stones at the bottom, which inflict immense pains as we explore these most beautiful caverns on foot. We document sudden changes in the water temperature beneath our feet, which adds to the mystery.
So, hold your breath, tighten your seat belts and come along with us as we take you to this divine place, gather and document historical evidences on this enchanting journey, studying the architectural features and critically examining the events as described in the ancient Indian texts, and as we see them first hand.
