The Cave & Deity: The temple is a natural limestone cave nestled in the Ramagiri hills. Inside sits a massive, self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Linga, roughly 3 meters high. Local belief holds that the Linga is still slowly increasing in size. Mythology: Legend says Lord Rama discovered this cave during his exile in the Dandakaranya forest and named it “Gupteswar.” The 17th-century King of Jeypore, Maharajah Veer Vikram Dev, later rediscovered it while hunting. Unique Features: * Kamadhenu Stalactite: Inside a secondary cave, a stalactite formation shaped like a cow’s udder is worshipped as the “Divine Cow” (Kamadhenu). Devotees wait for drops of “milk” (limestone water) to fall from it. The Sabari River: Also known as Gupt Ganga, this river flows nearby and marks the border between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Biodiversity: The surrounding area was recently declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site, home to over 600 species of animals and 450 species of plants, making it a paradise for nature lovers. Major Festivals: The temple draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims during Maha Shivaratri and the holy month of Shraavana (Bol Bam Yatra), where devotees carry water from the Sabari River to offer to the Lord.