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Pokharaगुप्तेश्वर महादेव गुफा

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

A Shiva cave shrine in south Pokhara, with a lower passage that ends behind the falling water of Davis Falls.

The Shiva cave shrine opposite Davis Falls in Pokhara, not the Gupteshwor caves elsewhere in Nepal and India.

Plan a trip here
Layered rock walls inside Gupteshwor Cave, with light falling on the stream that flows on from Davis Falls.
Photo: Q-lieb-in (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Altitude
778 m*
Best months
Feb-Mar, Aug-Nov
Type
Temple, monastery or heritage site
District
Kaski, Gandaki
Permit
Entry fee

Why go

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave lies in Chhorepatan, Pokhara-17, directly across the Siddhartha Highway from Davis Falls. The name means the hidden lord, Gupteshwor being an epithet of Shiva. A spiral stairway leads down from the roadside entrance into the cave, where the first chamber holds a large natural stalagmite worshipped as a Shiva lingam. Bells, offerings and a steady stream of devotees make this part of the cave a working shrine.

Beyond the shrine a separate, damper passage continues down over wet rock and steps to a chamber where the stream that disappeared at Davis Falls bursts through a crack in the rock. Daylight filters in from above, and in high water the noise and spray fill the space. The walk is short but uneven, with low ceilings in places, and the steps can be slippery.

Within Pokhara, the cave is part of the south-side group with Davis Falls and the World Peace Pagoda, and most visitors see the falls and the cave together in an hour or two.

A narrow cleft of daylight between dark, layered rock walls deep inside Gupteshwor Cave.
Photo: Sushila Gurung (CC BY-SA 4.0)

History and culture

For Hindus the cave is a pilgrimage site of Shiva (Mahadev), and it draws large crowds at Shivaratri, the night of Shiva in February or March, as well as on Mondays and during the month of Shrawan in the monsoon. Local accounts say the cave was rediscovered by villagers in the mid-20th century; the exact date and circumstances vary between tellings. The shrine and its facilities are managed locally, and visitor tickets help maintain the stairs, lighting and the temple.

Scientifically, the cave is part of the karst-like system that runs beneath the gravel and conglomerate floor of the Pokhara Valley. British researchers surveyed it in the 1970s, recording the stream from Phewa Tal running through it and cataloguing cave animals, including leaf-nosed bats, fruit bats and tiny springtails. A German expedition in the 1980s mapped more than 2 km of passages. Visitors see only a small part of the system.

Things to do in Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

  • Visit the shrine chamber

    Descend the stairs to the main chamber with the Shiva lingam; follow the queue and the priests' instructions.

  • See the falls from below

    Continue down the lower passage to the viewing point where the Davis Falls stream emerges; expect wet, uneven steps.

  • Pair with Davis Falls

    Cross the road to Davis Falls to see where the water first disappears underground.

Weather and the best time to visit Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

Weather in Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

Forecast for 778 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Feb-Mar, Aug-Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Good month: Feb
  3. Good month: Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Good month: Aug
  9. Good month: Sep
  10. Good month: Oct
  11. Good month: Nov
  12. Dec
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
September to November combines strong water in the lower chamber with dry, settled weather outside.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
December to February is dry and comfortable; Shivaratri, usually in February or March, brings large crowds.
Spring (Mar-May)
March to May is warm outside and humid inside, and the stream through the lower chamber is at its lowest.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
June to August brings the most water through the lower passage, which may be closed when flow is too high.

Where to stay

HotelsGuesthouses

Most visitors stay in Lakeside or Damside, 15-20 minutes away. A few simple guesthouses are in Chhorepatan.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

The cave entrance is on the Siddhartha Highway in Chhorepatan, opposite Davis Falls, on the southern edge of Pokhara.

Nearest hub: Pokhara

  • roadFrom Lakeside it is about 4-6 km, roughly 15-20 minutes by taxi; city buses along the highway stop nearby.
  • walkFrom Damside allow about 20-30 minutes on foot along the highway.
Mount Everest 8,848.86Kangchenjunga 8,586Dhaulagiri I 8,167Manaslu 8,163Annapurna I 8,091Gupteshwor Mahadev CaveKathmandu
Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

Entry fee

An entry ticket is charged at the gate; foreigners pay more than Nepali visitors. The lower passage to the waterfall view may be ticketed separately.

  • Entry ticket: Bought at the cave entrance; check current prices and what each ticket covers.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Pokhara (Wikivoyage).

Practical tips

  • Wear shoes with grip; the lower passage is wet and steps are slippery.
  • Photography is usually not allowed in the shrine chamber; follow the signs.
  • Remove shoes or leather items where asked near the lingam and dress modestly.
  • The cave is humid and can feel close; people uneasy in confined spaces may prefer to stop at the shrine.
  • During Shivaratri expect long queues and heavy security.

Questions about Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

What is inside Gupteshwor Cave?

A shrine chamber with a large stalagmite worshipped as a Shiva lingam, and a lower passage where the stream from Davis Falls pours through the rock.

Is Gupteshwor Cave near Davis Falls?

Yes, it is directly across the Siddhartha Highway from Davis Falls in Chhorepatan, and most visitors see both together.

Is there an entry fee for Gupteshwor Cave?

Yes, a ticket is sold at the entrance, with higher rates for foreigners.

Can I take photos inside Gupteshwor Cave?

Photography is usually not permitted in the shrine chamber; check the signs and ask staff.

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Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave (Wikipedia), Pokhara (Wikivoyage), Davis Falls (Wikipedia)