KOTESHWAR CAVE, Rudraprayag

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A modified natural sacred cave (temple cave), complete with venerated speleothems, is promoted as a religious show cave (note 1). Possibly, but far from necessarily, identical with –>Rudranath Gufa near Rudraprayag or –>Smashaneshvar Muni Gufa. Not to be confused with the other –>Koteshwar Cave near Choukori in the Sarju River - Ram Ganga area. SITUATION: At a distance of 3 km [probably along the National Highwy NH58] from Rudraprayag [note 2] and on the holy bank of river Alaknanda (note 3). CAVE DESCRIPTION: The Koteshwar temple is in the form of cave temple [sic! for: temple cave]. There are many idols, which have been formed naturally (calcium carbonate formations). CULTURAL HISTORY - religious folklore: It is believed that before going to Kedernath [Kedarnath N30°44': E079°04'], Lord Shiva meditated here. During the months of August and September, thousands of devotees come here to worship Lord Shiva.A modified natural sacred cave (temple cave), complete with venerated speleothems, is promoted as a religious show cave (note 1). Possibly, but far from necessarily, identical with –>Rudranath Gufa near Rudraprayag or –>Smashaneshvar Muni Gufa. Not to be confused with the other –>Koteshwar Cave near Choukori in the Sarju River - Ram Ganga area. SITUATION: At a distance of 3 km [probably along the National Highwy NH58] from Rudraprayag [note 2] and on the holy bank of river Alaknanda (note 3). CAVE DESCRIPTION: The Koteshwar temple is in the form of cave temple [sic! for: temple cave]. There are many idols, which have been formed naturally (calcium carbonate formations). CULTURAL HISTORY - religious folklore: It is believed that before going to Kedernath [Kedarnath N30°44': E079°04'], Lord Shiva meditated here. During the months of August and September, thousands of devotees come here to worship Lord Shiva.