It’s a silent night. The shadows of huge trees cover the surroundings. The darkness is creeping up the hillside. If you listen carefully in that desolate forest, you can hear a miraculous bell ringing! When the daylight goes out, the heavy bell of the temple rings on its own. Who rings that bell?
The destination is Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh. Hidden in the lap of mountains and dense forests is the very ancient Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple. It is not only a spiritual center for devotees, but also a mysterious place for travelers. Locals claim that after the heavy door of the temple is chained at night, when the surroundings are almost silent, the clear sound of bells comes from the premises.
The importance of this sound to the devotees is immense. They believe that it is the divine presence of the Lord. According to the scriptures, the sacred sound of this bell removes all the negative energy around and calms the mind. According to astrologers and scholars, the spiritual energy accumulated in this ancient pilgrimage site has a deep impact on the minds of the devotees. However, the scientific explanation is different. According to a section of researchers, the strong wind of the hilly region or the vibration of the metal can create the illusion of such a bell. However, no irrefutable scientific evidence has been found yet. As a result, the pure faith of the devotees has not been maintained even today.
The image of this place changes during
the holy month of Shravan and Mahashivaratri. Countless people, unknown to the public, come from far and wide. Jalabhishek and Rudrabhishek are performed at the place with great fanfare. Devotees believe that Lord Mahadev himself listens to their vows.
When to go?
The weather is quite pleasant throughout the year. However, it is best to visit during the winter months, i.e. between October and March. Apart from that, if you want to join the religious atmosphere and festivals, you can choose the time of Shravan month or Mahashivaratri.
How to get there?
You have to get down at Raipur Railway Station by train. The distance from the station to Gariaband district by road is about 90 kilometers. You can easily reach this ancient Gupteshwar Mahadev temple surrounded by mountains and forests by hiring a bus or taxi.