29/11/2022
Patal Bhuvaneshwar (Hindi पाताल भुवनेश्वर) is a limestone cave temple 14 km from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. It is located in the village of Bhubneshwar. Legend and folklore have it that this cave enshrines Lord Shiva and thirty three koti demigods [33 types and not crore]. 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. Built by the flow of water, Patal Bhuvaneshwar is not just one cave, rather a series of caves within caves.
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 its hood. He saw the marvels of Gods taking place inside. He saw all the 33-koti 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 Skanda Purana that it will be reopened again in Kali Yuga. In the Kali Yuga, Adi Shankaracharya, during his visit to Himalayas re-discovered this cave. Since then regular worship and offering are being done at this place.
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 the earth, heaven and the underworld. Sheshnaag mouth and teeth and other parts can be noticed. ‘Havan’ (fire sacrifice) is performed in a dimly lit, solemn atmosphere, under the spell of holy chants. You’ll also be impressed by the visit as these parts form the celestial heights of Shiva's abode in Mount Kailash. The cave, it is believed, is connected by an underground route to Mount Kailash. It is believed that the Pandavas and their wife Draupadi, the heroes of the Mahabharata, proceeded towards their last journey in the Himalayas after meditating here, in front of Lord Shiva. This hidden pilgrimage situated at 1,350 m above sea level is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Almost every god that you would have heard of resides in this mystifying cave. The original human head of lord Ganesha which was cut down by lord Shiva, is situated here who creates obstacles for bad people to improve. This form of Ganesha is popularly known as Vighnaharta. The head is now in stone form and Amrit fall from 8 petals lotus ( Brahma Kamal) from top of cave to the human head of lord Ganesha.
There are four entrances inside the cave named as ‘Randwar (Door of War)’ ‘Paapdwar (Door of Sin)’, ‘Dharmdwar (Door of Dharma) ’ and ‘Mokshadwar (Door of Moksha (liberation)’. The Paapdwar, literally the Door of Sin, was closed soon after the death of Ravana in the war of Lanka and the Randwar, literally, the Door of War, was closed down after the great Mahabharata War at Kurukshetra. At present only two gateways are opened (The Dharmdwar and Mokshadwar gates). You can see the tongue of Goddess Kali, Airavata of Indra, hair of Lord Shiva, amaranth, kedarnath , badrinath ,swan and several other wonders inside the caves of Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
It is also believed that you can worship at Patal Bhuvaneshwar is equivalent to worshipping the Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand.
Source of information and pictures are from Google.
