Patal Bhuvaneshwari Temple Uttrakhand

Do you want to cross off a strange change of itinerary from your bucket list? You are about to miss an authentic old spot, but we will save it at your request. This entire page will transport you to a realm of mystery, far removed from the typical nature retreat. Discover the myths and legends of early Hindu beliefs and enlightenment in Uttarakhand’s Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave.

“This awesome cave is believed to be as old as the earth itself,” ancient writing is carved into one of the walls. You’ll be excited to explore this obscurity where dinosaurs, the great auk, mammoths, and sabre-toothed lions once walked or took shelter! But all we know are the epic events of the ancient Hindu saga.

If you want to see the real beauty of nature. then you must visit Patal Bhuvaneshwari temple. You will be amazed to listen about the history of the gods and many more things.

Patal Bhuvaneshwari Temple

Where is Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave situated?

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a mysterious and spiritual place in Uttarakhand. This hidden pilgrimage, 1350 metres above sea level, is primarily dedicated to Shiv Ji. Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave located 13 kilometres from Gangolighat in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.

A long and narrow tunnel leads to the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave. Patal Bhuvaneshwar also has the forms of Sheshnag Ji, Kal Bhiarav Ji, Ganesh Ji, and several other gods in addition to Shiv Ji. The cave is said to be the home of 33 koti Gods and Goddesses. The path to the temple is via a tunnel that leads into a cave and through a narrow dark water passage.

Accessing this cave can be difficult, if not dangerous. Every pilgrim must wait at least 30 minutes for his or her turn. Only 10 to 15 people are permitted to enter the cave at one time. The guided tour lasts about 30 minutes. Surprisingly, there is no possibility of feeling claustrophobic or exhausted inside the cave. Visitors who are religious or culturally inclined can visit several other shrines in the area, such as the Devi Kali temple. Tourists can stay in a few good accommodations in Bhuvneshwar village.

How it was discovered?

It is an entirely different experience when pilgrims enter an unknown world after descending many steps through a narrow pathway. There are incredible limestone rock formations that have created stalactite and stalagmite images of Lord Ganesha, the Serpent deity Sheshnag, the lotus flower, the swan, the tree of heaven Kalpavrishka, the thousand-legged elephant Airavat, and replicas of Kedarnath – Badrinath – Amarnath.
The cave has four entrances: Randwar (ran means war), Paapdwar (paap means sin), Dharamdwar (dharma means righteousness), and Mokshadwar (moksha meaning salvation). According to legend, the Paapdwar was closed following the death of Lanka’s demon king Ravana, whereas the Randwar was closed following the historic Mahabharata war. Presently, only Dharamdwar and Mokshdwar are open.

As per an old lore, the Pandavas had meditated at this cave when they had retired from their kingdom and were on their final journey. The Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave remained hidden from mankind for a long time until the great scholar, revivalist, philosopher, and saint Adi Shankaracharya discovered it during his sojourns in the Himalayas. He was the one who placed the Shiva lingam in this cave. The cave measures 160 metres in length and 90 metres in depth. As a result, getting inside the cave through a narrow entry point is not easy—visitors must seek assistance from iron chains to safely exit.

According to local legend, the secret of the occurrence of doomsday is hidden or related to Patal Bhuvneshwar cave. Furthermore, one of the Puranas mentions that anyone seeking to feel the presence of a powerful divine power should visit this cave, which is located at the confluence of the Gupt-Ganga, Ramganga, and Sarayu Rivers. All of the deities are said to be living in astral form with Shiv Ji inside the cave’s womb. Such is its importance.

What is the History of Patal Bhuvaneshwar?

Let us begin with a brief overview of the Hindu era, detailing the cycle of past, present, and future events. Chatur Yuga, or a loop of four major periods in Hindu cosmology, is divided into Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga.

During the Treta Yuga, King Rituparna Ji of the Sun dynasty discovered Patal Bhuvaneshwar for the first time. During his reign, King Nala came to seek his assistance in escaping captivity from his wife, Queen Damayanti, as a result of a defeated fight. While transporting the distressed king to the Himalayan forest, Ritupurna spotted a charming deer that vanished into the woods.

A short time later, he had a dream about not hunting and harming the deer. In his search for it, he came across a guard patrolling a cave. He requested that the guard let him in, and the guard agreed. He was accepted and assisted at the entrance by Sheshnaag, the snake king. As they passed through the cavern, he was astounded to see all 33 Koti, or 33 types of demigods, gods, and goddesses in their majestic forms, and even more astounded to see Lord Shiva in his imperial manifestation.

What Happened Then?

Since King Rituparna’s visit, the cave has been closed and hidden through time, only to be rediscovered during the Kali Yuga phase. Soon after, in 1191 AD, Adi Shankaracharya Ji discovered the cave, and it has since evolved into the modern period of pilgrimage or yatra.

The underground cave, much discussed by generations of pilgrims, is thought to be linked to Mt. Kailash, Shiv Ji’s abode. The cave is said to have been used by the Pandavas from the most famous epic ‘Mahabharata’ to meditate and pay homage to Shiv Ji during their final visits to the Himalayas. Every god or goddess you’ve ever heard of resides in Patal Bhuvaneshwar, which is a mystifying certainty.  According to legend, this is also the location where Lord Shiva unwittingly beheaded his son, Ganesh Ji. He resurrected him with an elephant’s head and renamed him Vighnaharta, which means obstacle remover.

Things to do in Patal Bhuvaneshwar

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is an acute pilgrimage site where devotees pay their respect and revere it with all their hearts, with an obligation to the chronicles of ancient Hindu beliefs. Here are some guidelines to help you channel your adventurous spirit:

Four Entrances inside Patal Bhuvaneshwari Temple display the history

• Before you descend the flight of stone steps leading to the entrance, take in the lush surroundings above the complex. For safety and grip, iron chains are fastened along the tunnels.
• Begin your journey at one of the four entrances known as Randwar, Paapdwar, Dharamdwar, or Mokshdwar. Randwar and Paadwar were the entrances that were closed down as a result of Ravana’s death and the end of the Kurukshetra war. The famous epic Mahabharat contains a reference.
• Join the throngs of pilgrims in admiring the shrine’s awe-inspiring structures and wonders. Witness the Bhandaris, or priest family, perform rituals that have been practised for several generations since the time of Adi Shankaracharya Ji. You’re one step closer to seeing heaven in the centre of the earth.
• Observe the stone formations of Sheshnaag and other mythical gods in enthralling features and shapes in an underground pantheon.
• Perform meditation for spiritual enlightenment and divine blessings inside the magnificent arenas.
• Skandapuran, a famous inscription from Manaskhanda, attests to this in one of its 800 verses. ‘He who wishes to feel the presence of eternal power should come to the sacred Bhuvneshwar, which is located near the confluence of the Ramganga, Sarayu, and Gupt-Ganga,’ it says.
• Slither through the narrow passage with zeal, dreaming of an ideal adventure and mystery discovery.
• Take a look at the sanctuary’s treasures of legends, anecdotes, lores, and facts.
• Meditate on the lap of Gods
• Do Worship
• Visit nearby Attraction

When is the best time to visit?

If the spirit of adventure calls to you, make sure you tune in at the appropriate time. Avoid making plans to visit the mysterious cave in Uttarakhand during the monsoon season. The best time to visit the underground cavern is from mid-March to June. If you are easily amused by cold and are an avid traveller enough to survive cold, you can make a quick visit from October to February.

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Main highlights of Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave

• Ganesh Ji’s Head
• Shiv Ji’s Hair
• Replica idols of Amarnath, Kedarnath and Badrinath (Kedarnath and Badrinath are part of Char Dham Yatra)
• A naturally formed Shivling ()
• Swan Idol (represents the Brahma Ji and Saraswati Mata Ji)

Some Important Information About Patal Bhuvaneshwar Temple

• State:- Uttarakhand
• District:- Pithoragarh
• Longitude and Latitude:- 29.6878 degrees N, 80.0941 degrees E
• Weather:- sunny, cloudy, rainy
• Altitude:- 1350m
• Best time to Go:- Every time is ideal beside the Rainy season

Route of Patal Bhuvaneshwar Temple

The route to Patal Bhuvaneshwar
Delhi<->Bhowali <-> Almora<->Sheraghat<->Berinag road<->Gangolihat<->Patal Bhuvaneshwar

How to Reach

Nearest airport
Tanakpur has both buses and taxis. Pantnagar Airport is 224 kilometres away from Patal Bhuvaneshwar.

Nearest Railway Station
Tanakpur is the nearest Railway station from Patal Bhuvaneshwar (155 km)

By bus
Roads are well connected to Patal Bhuvaneshwar. One can travel by bus up to Tanakpur, Champawat, Lohaghat, or Pithoragarh, etc.

By Car

This location is well-connected and easily accessible. It has excellent connections to major cities such as New Delhi, Lucknow, and Calcutta. Taxis and buses are readily available from both the railway station and the airport.

Places to stay in Patal Bhuvaneshwar

• Ganganath Homestay
• KMVN Tourist House
• Sonika Devi Homestay
• Ojaswi Resort Chaukori
• Panchachuli Homestay

Travel tips

Check routes before travelling, especially during monsoons.

Oxygen levels inside the cave can be less especially in the rainy season between the months of July to October.

It is advisable for persons with ailments like heart disease, Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension, Anxiety, Claustrophobia, and allied disorders not to visit the Patal Bhuvaneshwari Temple

Children below 5 years are not advised to enter the temple.

The Patal Bhuvaneshwari Temple is a religious place of worship and hence dress modestly and make sure proper decorum is maintained inside the temple.

Footwear is not allowed inside the temple and hence be prepared to do some walking barefoot on slippery terrain inside the temple.
While entering the temple make sure your hands are free as you will need to use them to hold on to the iron chains to descend and to ascend from the temple.

Conclusion

Patal Bhuvaneshwari Temple is a must-visit place that you should visit once in your life. If you visit this place, I guarantee you that you will definitely learn a lot of things from here and there are a lot of replicas of Hindu Gods and places like Shiv Ji, Ganesh Ji and Vishnu Ji and there are some other things too which tells you about our history.

The Patal Bhuvaneshwari Temple is a great tribute to Uttarakhand’s rich cultural and religious heritage, and it plays an important role in the region’s history and identity. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Hinduism and India’s rich cultural traditions.

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