Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave temple located 14km far from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand, India. The cave is 160 m long and 90 feet deep from the point of entrance. Patal Bhuvaneshwar is not just one cave, rather a series of caves within caves.

"He who wants to feel the presence of eternal power should come to the sacred Bhuvneshwar situated near the confluence of Ramganga, Sarayu and Gupt-Ganga." -Manaskhanda, Skandapuran, whose 800 verses refer to Patal Bhuvaneshwar. 

Legend has it that Lord Shiva in his abode known as Bhuvaneshwar, more precisely Patal Bhuvaneshwar was worshipped by the 330 million Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. It is believed that even today on the Trayodashi, the 13th day of the Lunar month which is considered very auspicious for the worship of Shiva, the 330 million Gods and Goddesses descend into Patal Bhuvaneshwar to worship Lord Shiva.

Mythological history

According to mythology, there is no other place from where we can visit char dham at one place. From Patal Bhuvaneshwar we can have a vision on char dham at same time. It is believed that this cave enshrines Lord Shiva and 33 crore Gods and Goddesses.

This is where Shiva rested when he chose to 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. When you enter the cave first you will witness the Narsimha god.

This pure and mysterious cave hidden many mystries in itself. 

• The path that is said to represent the backbone of Adishesha.

 

• It is said that under Patal Bhuvaneshwar there is beheaded head of Lord Ganesha. The rock symbolized the headless Ganesh on whom water dripped perpetually from the eight-petaled lotus formation above. This was obviously a reference to the birth of Ganesh and how he got an elephant’s head according to Hindu mythology.

 

• There are 4 Stones which represents the four era such as Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga or Kali Yuga. The stone which represents Kali Yuga is slowly increasing upword and it is believed that when the stone will bump into the wall that day wil be last day.

 

• After that you will see 'Sheshnaag's hood'. It is believed the earth is held on it.

 

• There is a strange rock formation that almost touched the ground. They looked like hooves. Those rock formations symbolized the 100 legs of Airavata, the mythical elephant which is the vehicle of Lord Indra according to Hindu Mythology.

 

• The matted locks of Shiva inside the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple Uttarakhand. A colossal and silvery stalactites formation rose before eyes. It indeed looked like the tresses of a giant being. 

 

• There is a beautiful stalactite formation on the roof of the cave from which water dripped onto a rock which was probably a stalagmite formation on the ground.

 

• The Kund that was made for the Pandavas by Vishwakarma at Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple Uttarakhand