It invites you to explore the world beneath
Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave temple located in the village Bhubneshwar 14km from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The cave is 160 m long and 90 ft deep from the point of entrance and after a descent of about 100 steps the sanctum sanctorum is reached this cave has a narrow tunnel like opening which leads to a number of caves each linked to the other.
Legend has it that this cave enshrines lord Shiva and 33 crore (330 million) gods over time limestone rock formations have created various spectacular stalsctite and stalagmite figures of various hues. Devotees claim the forms of ganesha sheshnag garurh shivling and kal bhairav are distinctly visible. Especially famous are the stone formations of sheshnag who is seen holding the earth, heaven and the world beneath
Adi shankaracharya visited this cave in AD 1191 and the temple was built in 12th century AD by the chand kings
These days cave is fully illuminated though photography is not permitted inside the cave
GOOD TO KNOW: The nearest railhead is at kathgodam, about 185 km away
