Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple

Visit Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple – a sacred underground shrine of Lord Shiva shrouded in mystery and divine legends, where faith meets the wonders of nature deep beneath the earth. Experience the spiritual aura, mythological stories, and ancient carvings that make this cave temple truly extraordinary.

About Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple, nestled in the picturesque hills of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand, is one of India’s most mysterious and spiritually charged shrines. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this underground limestone cave temple is believed to be the gateway to several other subterranean realms mentioned in Hindu scriptures. According to mythology, King Rituparna of the Solar Dynasty first discovered the cave during the Treta Yuga. Later, Adi Shankaracharya revived the temple’s spiritual significance in the 8th century AD. Inside, the cave reveals fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations, naturally resembling divine figures of gods and goddesses, including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Sheshnag. Devotees believe that visiting Patal Bhuvaneshwar is equivalent to visiting the Char Dham Yatra as the cave embodies the presence of all major Hindu deities. The cave’s narrow entrance and surreal atmosphere create a sense of wonder and devotion, making it one of Uttarakhand’s most profound spiritual destinations. Whether you are a seeker of divinity or a lover of natural wonders, the Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple offers a one-of-a-kind experience where mythology, faith, and geology intertwine harmoniously.

1.Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple 2.History of the Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple 3.Significance of the Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple 4.Architecture of the Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple 5.Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple Timings 6.Offerings at the Temple 7.How to Reach Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple

Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple

In India, several ancient caves remain a mystery to this day. You might have heard of Patal Lok and heard stories about it, but today we will tell you about a place known as Patal Bhuvaneshwar, located 14 kilometres from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. This place is mentioned in the Puranas as well. To reach the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple, you have to navigate through very narrow paths, descending 90 feet below the ground. Today, you will learn why Patal Bhuvaneshwar is famous, its history, and when you should visit Patal Bhuvaneshwar.

History of the Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple

According to mythological stories, Raja Rituparna, a king of the Surya dynasty, who ruled Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga, was the first person to search for the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave. It is said that he was the first human to discover the temple. Here, he encountered King Adishesha of the Nagas, who led Rituparna inside the cave. It is said that Rituparna had a direct audience with Lord Shiva and all the other deities inside the cave. The Skanda Purana also mentions that Lord Shiva himself resides in Patal Bhuvaneshwar, and other deities come here to worship him. However, since Rituparna's discovery, this place has rarely been discussed. It is said that during the Dvapara Yuga, the Pandavas rediscovered this cave. The Pandavas used to worship Lord Shiva in this cave. According to mythological tales, in the Kali Yuga, Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya discovered this cave in the 8th century and established a Shiva Linga made of copper.

Significance of the Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple

It is believed that all 33 crore deities reside in Patal Bhuvaneshwar along with Lord Shiva. It is believed that the secret of the world's end is hidden in the womb of this cave. The size of the established Shiva Linga here is continually increasing, and the day it touches the cave's roof, the world will come to an end. According to legends, Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple has four doors. When Ravana died, Paap-dwar (Door of Sins) closed. After the Mahabharata war, the Rana-dwar (War door) also closed. Now, only two doors remain. Visiting this temple is considered equivalent to the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand.

Architecture of the Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple

The primary deity worshipped in the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple is Lord Shiva. Upon reaching the temple, you first encounter an iron gate, which marks the beginning of the temple. This cave is 90 feet below the ground, and to enter the temple, you have to navigate through extremely narrow paths. The entrance to the cave is 160 meters long. Inside the cave, you can see various sculptures on the rocks in a narrow passage, depicting elephants and the kings of the Nagas. In the temple, you will find four pillars representing different ages: Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dvaparayuga, and Kaliyuga. It is said that the pillar representing Kaliyuga is taller than the others. Large stone formations are spread throughout the cave.

Patal Bhuwneshwer Cave Temple Timings

10:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Offerings at the Temple

Devotees offer pure water, milk, bel leaves, and flowers to Lord Shiva in the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple.

How to Reach Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple

By Air The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, located approximately 244 kilometers from the temple. You can take a taxi or bus from the airport to reach the temple.

By Train The closest railway station is Tanakpur, about 154 kilometers from the temple. Tanakpur is well connected to major cities in northern India. From Tanakpur railway station, taxis and buses are available to take you to the temple.

By Road Patal Bhuvaneshwar is well connected by road to major northern cities, especially within Uttarakhand. From Delhi, you can take a direct bus to Pithoragarh via Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC). After reaching Pithoragarh, you can hire a taxi or take local transport to cover the remaining distance to Patal Bhuvaneshwar.