It was when I was watching the Patal Lok series on Amazon Prime, I recalled a place I visited last year. I was on a pilgrimage tour in Uttrakhand. I came across a place called Patal Bhuvneshwar. The place is not so famous hence skipped unnoticed by most of the visitors. It has been said that the Patal Bhuvneshwar is the way to go to Patal Lok. As per Hindu mythology, Patal Lok is the abode of Yama, the God of death.
When I visited Uttarakhand, I heard about some mysterious cave there. Getting thrilled and adventurous, I thought to explore it more. It was in some place called Bhuvneshwar, around 14 Km from District Gangolihaat in Pithoragarh. The moment we enter the cave, I saw tiny steps almost 60 in numbers. Huge iron lock chains tied both sides of stairs to be used while stepping up and down. It has been said some king entered in this cave in Treta Yuga. In Kalyuga, Jagatguru Shankracharya ji founded Lord Shiva’s Tamraling. While I stepped down, I saw the face of Sheshnaag on the stones. I got flabbergasted. There were some embossed stones and serene view down side. I noticed some well/pond kind of structure. Pandit ji told me that Lord Shiva created this well for their snakes and kept an eagle to take care of it. But that eagle drank water from the well. Lord Shiva got angry at his this act and broke his neck in anger. It was difficult to believe this story, unless I noticed the marks of skewed neck on the wall.
At another place inside the cave, there is hair of Lord Shiva and milk kind of liquid dripping from it. From there, two doors could be seen; Paap Dwar and Dharam Dwar. The Paap Dwar is closed but Dharam Dwar is kept opened. At the end of cave there was some hilly place, it is known that Pandava from the Mahabharata epoch played the Chausar (board game) here. This is the reality of Patal Bhuvneshwar. Earlier light from woods, or torch or lalten was used to go inside, but now electricity is available there.
Another interesting story I heard about this place is when I came out of the cave. Huge stones are placed on four sides of the cave. One of the stone which is called the symbol of Kalyuga is moving up side slowly. As per the story, when the Kalyuga stone will touch the wall it will end the Kalyuga era and again Satyuga will start. I don’t know how much true this mythologically stories are, but most of the stories carry evidence to prove them. Whatever, but it gave some unique and unforgettable memories of the trip.
Hi Raajvika,
The article is an interesting read. You have shared details of a lesser known and yet a significant place with a religious history tagged to it. Thanks for sharing. Happy writing.!! Best wishes, Diva
Hi dear
Your article was nostalgic as the place Patal Bhubaneswar is in my home place. The place is of great religious significance along with Gangolihat famous for a very old Devi temple called Haat Kali, incidentaly my Isht Devi. Wonder whether you visited that place or not. In route, if you go to Patal Bhubaneswar from Almora, there is another famous temple called Golu Dev, famous for thousands of bells. There is another very old Shiva temple at a place called Jageshwar dham supposed to be among 12 Jyotrilinga of God Shiva. That’s also is at a very beautiful place surrounded by tall and majestic devdar trees. The whole place is abode of God. Keeping on penning your travelogues. All the very best.
Hi dear
Your article was nostalgic as the place Patal Bhubaneswar is in my home place. The place is of great religious significance along with Gangolihat famous for a very old Devi temple called Haat Kali, incidentaly my Isht Devi. Wonder whether you visited that place or not. In route, if you go to Patal Bhubaneswar from Almora, there is another famous temple called Golu Dev, famous for thousands of bells. There is another very old Shiva temple at a place called Jageshwar dham supposed to be among 12 Jyotrilinga of God Shiva. That’s also is at a very beautiful place surrounded by tall and majestic devdar trees. The whole place is abode of God. Keep on penning your travelogues. All the very best.
Keep up the best efforts. Nice information..