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| Amarnath, Badrinath, Kedarnath Idols inside Patal Bhuvaneshwar (Image: Source) |
Patal Bhuvaneshwar,
one of the most fascinating places of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is a
limestone cave temple 14 km from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district of
Uttarakhand state in India. It is located in the village Bhubneshwar. Legend
and folklore have it that this underground cave enshrines Lord Shiva, Lord
Vishnu, Lord Bramha, Ganesha and thirty three crore (33-koti) Gods &
Goddesses of Hindu religion. The cave is 160 m long and 90 feet deep from the
point of entrance. Limestone rock formations have created various spectacular
stalactite and stalagmite figures of various hues and forms. This cave has a
narrow tunnel-like opening which leads to a number of caves. The cave is fully
electrically illuminated. It is built due to the flow of water. Patal
Bhuvaneshwar is not just one cave, rather a cave city. Caves within caves, steps
leading to another, each one unmasking deep secrets from within. It has some
cave opening and it is believed that these opening will be close as the
centuries pass on. The scientific fact is that it's still being developed due
to crystallization of the minerals which are dissolved in the water. As per
belief, some doors which are now closed were opened thousands of years back. The
total distance that a visitor can travel 70 ft below the surface is about 400
ft, with constant fear of falling down on the slippery passage. Humidity is
very high and oxygen low. It is believed that only a small part of this cave
system has been explored and major portion remains hidden in darkness and mystery
(It's yet to be fully explored).
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| Ashtah Kamal and Ganesha Idol (Image: Source) |
Throughout the cave,
the carvings are made on limestone rocks. As stated above, each god is seated
in this cave. A general belief, that the worshiping in this cave is equal to
the worship of Char Dham of the state.
The great cave has four gates (Dwar) to access. The names of these gates (Dwar)
are as Randwar, Paapdwar, Mokshadwar and Dharmdwar. It is said that the
Paapdwar was closed after Rawana was no more and likewise Randwar was closed
after the great war of Mahabharata. In this cave, the hairs of Lord Shiva, the
Arawati of Lord Indra and the tongue of God Kali Bhairav, are kept.
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| Shiv Jata (Hairs of Lord Shiva) - Image: Source |
Legend
of the Cave:
The first human to discover this cave was Raja Ritupurna who was a king in
Surya Dynasty who was ruling Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga. The story starts
with Ritupurna and King Nala. It is said that once, King Nala was defeated by
his wife, Queen Damayanti. In order to escape his wife’s prison Nala requested
Ritupurna to hide him. Ritupurna took him to the forests of the Himalayas and
asked him to stay there. While going back home he was fascinated by a deer
which ran into woods and went after it. He could not find it and took rest
under a tree. He had a dream where the deer was asking Ritupurna not to chase
him. His sleep broke and as he woke up and went to a cave where a guard was
standing. After enquiring about the cave he was allowed to go inside. Right at
the entrance, Ritupurna met Sheshnag who agreed to take him through the cave.
It carried him on his hood. He saw the marvels of Gods taking place inside.
Here were all the 33-crore gods and goddesses including Lord Shiva himself. It
is said that after his visit, the cave was closed for ages with a slight
prediction in the Skandpurana that it will be reopened again in Kaliyuga.
Shankarcharya in Kalyug, during his temporary visit to Himalayas re-discovered
this cave. Since then regular worship and offering are being done at this
place.
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| Shesh Naag (Image: Source) |
Mythology:
According to belief King Rituparna of the Sun dynasty (Surya Vansha) discovered
the cave in ‘Treta yug’. It has been described in the ‘MANAS KHAND’ of ‘SKAND
PURAN’. Adi Shankaracharya visited this cave in 1191 AD. That was the beginning
of the modern pilgrimage history, at Patal Bhuvaneshwar. The journey inside the
cave has to be carried in feeble lights, holding protective iron chains. The Stone
formations of Sheshnag can be seen, holding earth, heaven the world beneath.
‘Havan’ (fire sacrifice) is performed in a dimly lit, solemn atmosphere, under
the spell of holy chants. You’ll also be impressed by theto visit these parts
form the celestial heights of His abode in Kailash. The cave, it is believed, is
connected by an underground route to Mount Kailash. it’s believed that
Pandavas, the ‘Mahabharat’ heroes proceeded towards their last journey in the
Himalayas after meditating here, in front of Lord Shiva.
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| Kund Inside Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave (Image: Source) |
The Bhandaris are the
priest of this cave from very old time and more than 20 generation since the
time of the Adi Shankaracharya. They are the resident of a nearby village
called Bhuvneshwar. That is why this place called Patal Bhuvneshwar. It
is also believed that this cave is internally connected to the four abodes
/seats (Char Dham).
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| Shiv Linga (Image: Source) |
Inscription
outside the Temple:
"This awesome cave is believed to be as old as the earth itself. It has
been mentioned in detail in the 103rd chapter of Manaskhand of "Skanda
Purana". The first human who entered this cave was king
"Rituparna" of Suraya Dynasty during the "Tretayuga". It is
said that during his visit, he had encountered several demons and "Sheshnaag"
himself acted as his guide. In "Duaparyuga" this cave was
rediscovered by the Pandavas. In Kaliyuga, Adishankar Acharya consecrate this
cave and since 1191 AD, this has been a place of visit, both for sightseeing
and worship."
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| The Pandavas (Image: Source) |
Places
to visit:
The motorable road ends half a kilometer away from the cave entrance. You have
to descends nearly 100 steps into this narrow cave, to reach the sanctum
sanctorum, which gives an overwhelming feeling that you’re entering the centre
of the earth.
Each stone, each stalagmite within each cave or doorway, in magnificent
erection revels the story of Hindu pantheon in the shapes of Gods, Goddesses,
saints and known mythological characters.
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| Patal Bhuvaneshwar - Cave Entrance (Image: Source) |
Place to visit near
Patal Bhuvaneshwar:
- Gangolihat is
14 kms away from Patal Bhuvaneshwar. Gnagolihat is rich in folk culture,
music and religious traditions and had been chosen by Shankaracharya for
the installation of Mahakali Shaktipiaeeth.
- Berinag
& Chaukori is 27 and 38 kms away from Patal Bhuvaneshwar, these
places offer the breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks Nanda Devi and
Pachchuli.
- Gwaladham A
sleepy Himalayan town surrounded by apple orchards. The base for the trek
to Roopkhand.
How to reach Patal
Bhuvaneshwar:
By Air:
The nearest airport to Patal
Bhuvaneshwar is Pantnagar Airport. Pantnagar Airport is situated 244kms from
Patal Bhuvaneshwar. Taxis are easily available to Patal Bhuvaneshwar from
Pantnagar Airport. Patal Bhuvaneshwar is well connected by motorable roads with
major towns of Kumaon.
By Rail:
Tanakpur serves as the nearest railway station to this small
town located at a distance if 154 kms. This station is well approached by many
major cities of India such as Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata and Agra. Buses and taxis
are easily available outside the station for a ride to Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
By Road:
Patal Bhuvaneshwar is well connected by motorable roads
with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar are
existing to Tanakpur, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Lohaghat and lots of other
destinations from where you can easily hire a local cab or bus to reach
Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
