Patal Bhubaneshwar, Uttarakhand – The land of Lord Shiva, this sacred pilgrimage is also the residing place of almost all the Hindu Gods and Godesses
One of the renowned and mysterious pilgrimage Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a popular tourist spot in the Kumaun district of Uttarakhand. This quaint pilgrimage is situated at an elevation of 1,350 mts above the sea level and is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. This limestone cave is only 13kms from Gangolighat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state. A long and narrow tunnel will take you upto the tunnel. Besides Lord Shiva the forms of Sheshnag, Kal Bhiarav, Ganesha and several other gods are found in Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
The cave is believed to be the abode of 33 crore Gods and Goddesses. Written in Skanda Purana Patal Bhubaneshwar was first discovered by the King Rituparna of Sun Dynasty in Treta yug, as is mentioned in. The great explorer Adi Shankaracharya visited this cave in 1191 AD. The priests of Patal Bhuvaneshwar from 20 generations are Bhandaris who live in nearby Bhuvneshwar village. This mystical cave is 160m long and 90 feet deep where limestone rock formations have created various impressive stalagmite figures. Almost every god that you would have heard of resides in this mystifying cave. It is also believed that you can worship at Patal Bhuvaneshwar is equivalent to worshipping at Char Dham of Uttarakhand. One can see the gateway of the great ages in Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
There are four entrances inside the cave named as ‘Randwar’, ‘Paapdwar’, ‘Dharamdwar’ and ‘Mokshadwar’. The Paapdwar was closed soon after the death of Ravana and the Randwar, literally, the road to war, was closed down after the great Mahabharata war. At present only two gateways are opened. You can see the tongue of Kali Bhairav, Aravati of Indra, hairs of Lord Shiva and several other wonders inside the caves of Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
Nearby attractions around Patal Bhubaneshwar: Enjoy excursion to the places like:
Dharamghar
Dharamghar is only 9 km from Patal Bhuvaneshwar. The famous disciple of Gandhiji, Sarla Behn spent her last days in this serene location. Here you can enjoy a stunning view of the Himalayan peaks.
Berinaag
The site offers the beautiful vision of the Himalayas and the tea gardens located here. The place yields high quality tea.
Things to do in Patal Bhubaneshwar: Make a visit to the revered temple of Patal Bhubaneshwar. You can also enjoy the picturesque natural beauty of the place. The spot is ideal for trekking and hiking.
Best time to Visit Patal Bhuvaneshwar: The best time to visit Patal Bhuvaneshwar is from April to June and from Mid September to October end.
How to go ?
By Air
The closest airport is located Pantnagar and it is connected to Delhi by regular flights. Two main airlines operators offer services to the airport. This is a viable option for those who are interested in arriving by air. Up on arrival travelers can opt for taxis that are located outside
By Rail
The nearest Railhead is Kathgodam, 192 kms. with train connections from Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Dehradun and Mathura.
By Road
Government buses are available from places such as Pithorgarh and Bageshwar to the town of Gangolihat. These state run buses are a common mode of transport and they are invariably crowded.
Where to stay ?
There are a number accommodation options in Patal Bhubaneshwar. Some options are:
Parwati Inn: + 91 5966 220325, 61 Website: www.parwatihotels.com
Tourist Rest House (KMVN): +91-8650002543
Frozen Woods Hospitality: +91-9953277415 Website: www.frozenwoods.com
Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
