Patal Bhuvaneshwar

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave temple in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is located in the village Bhuvaneshwar at an altitude of 1350 meters from sea level. The cave is 90 feet deep and 160 meters long. There is a small opening that takes one down to the cave. Legend has it that the cave is several thousand years old.

Words cannot capture what one sees and experiences in the cave. Amazing is a small word to describe it. While it was always known to the locals, the cave started attracting tourists in recent years. Every year, the number of people visiting the cave is increasing.

What to expect at Patal Bhuvaneshwar:

• The cave is set among the beautiful Himalayan ranges. One can see snow capped mountains from some part of the town.
• Photography is prohibited and one must have the company of a guide to enter the cave.
• A narrow opening in the mountain takes one down to the cave. The cave is well lit.
• While the path to enter the cave is very narrow (you can just slide your way through), the cave itself is very spacious. The first chamber of the cave is a big hall which can accommodate more than hundred people at the same time.
• The cave is dotted with carvings related to Hindu Mythology. The carvings are not intricate like Ellora but they make unique use of water dripping from various places in the cave.
• There are several openings from the main cave to other places. It has not been explored where those connections lead to.
• There is a Shiv Linga which is said to be very powerful. Legend has it that to reduce the powers of this Shiva Linga, Adiguru Sankaracharya had visited the cave. He covered the Linga with seven layers of stone and one layer of copper to prevent the powers of that Linga from misuse.

Places to stay in Patal Bhuvaneshwar:

• Kumano Mandal Vikas Nigam has accommodation right next to the cave. Peaceful location with beautiful views.

• Parvati Resort is a few kms from Patal Bhuvaneshwar and provides excellent views (snow capped peaks).
• There are several resorts that have come up recently because of the increasing popularity of the place.

Places of interest near Patal Bhuvaneshwar:

• For the religious/spiritual inclined, there is a famous ancient Kali temple at Gangolihat.