Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple | History, Structure & Timings

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple is one of Uttarakhand’s most exciting places to visit. It is an ancient natural cave temple built of limestone. Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple timings are from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm.

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple Overview:

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple

The Hindu temple was situated at 1350 meters and 14 km from Gangolihat. It had located in Bhuvaneshwar village in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. The Manaskhanda of Skanda Purana mentions 800 slokas which refer to the cave temple of Patala Bhuvaneshwar.

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple Structure:

An interesting fact is that Patal Bhuvaneshwar is not just a cave. But it is a series of guhas within caves. Patal is a 1 km long cave in Bhuvaneshwar. It is 90 feet below ground level. 

Inside the cave, the limestone formations take the shapes of many goddesses and gods of Hinduism. Images of Ganesha Shesh Nag Garur Shivlingas are visible. 

The main cave is 160 meters long and 90 feet deep from the entrance. The cave has a narrow tunnel-like opening that leads to several shelters. There are four entrances Randwar, Papadwar, Dharmadwar and Mokshadwar. 

Puranas say that two of these four gates are closed. In the Ramayana War, Rama killed Ravana, the king of Lanka, for the first time. And the second time after the brutal battle of Mahabharata. Two entrances are now functional. The entire cave had electrified. 

History and Legends of Patala Bhuvaneshwar:

Legend has it that this underground cave enshrines Lord Shiva and 33 crore gods in Hindu culture. Devotees believe that the Pandavas went on their final pilgrimage to the Himalayas after meditating before Lord Shiva.

According to another legend, King Rituparna (Surya Vamsa) of the Surya clan discovered this cave in the ‘Treta Yuga’. It has mentioned in ‘Manas Khanda’ of ‘Skanda Purana’. Shankaracharya saw this cave in 1191 AD.

It is considered the beginning of modern pilgrimage history in Patala Bhuvaneshwar. The Skanda Purana gives the exact location of the Patala Bhuvaneshwar cave temple in a verse as follows:

“Those who wish to experience the presence of eternal power should come to the auspicious Bhuvaneshwar near the confluence of the Ramaganga, the Sarayu and the Gupta Ganga.” 

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Temple Timings:

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple timings are from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm.

DayTimings
Monday10 am to 4 pm
Tuesday10 am to 4 pm
Wednesday10 am to 4 pm
Thursday10 am to 4 pm
Friday10 am to 4 pm
Saturday10 am to 4 pm
Sunday10 am to 4 pm

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Food Guide: 

Only a few roadside local restaurants and dhabas serve the best of North Indian cuisine and local Pahadi cuisine, along with some Chinese items. Only vegetarian food had done in Patal Bhuvaneshwar.

Activities in Patal Bhuvaneshwar: 

Pilgrimage: 

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is famous for its 160-meter-long limestone cave dedicated to Lord Shiva. It had believed that many pilgrims come from all over the country to seek blessings at this place. This cave had thought to be home to 33 crore deities of Hinduism.

Meditation: 

Quiet and serene, the atmosphere at Patal Bhuvaneshwar is ideal for peaceful meditation. Near Patal Bhuvaneshwar, there is an ashram called ‘Narayan Ashram’ where tourists can learn the art of meditation.

Nearest places to visit at Patala Bhuvaneshwar:

Gangolihat:

This place is home to the famous Haat Kalika Temple and is a popular venue for local fairs. 

Berinag:

It is a picturesque town famous for its tea plantations.

These plantations produce quality tea. It also offers visitors a panoramic view of the Himalayas. 

Dharmagarh:

Sarla Behan, a disciple of Gandhiji, spent her last days in Dharmagarh. This town Patal is 9 km from Bhuvaneshwar.

Rudranath Temple

It is the third in the order of Pancha Kedar Temples. It had followed by Madyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar temples. Moreover, Lord Shiva’s face is worshipped here as “Neelakanta Mahadeva”. Rudhranath Temple is the place where Lord Shiva’s face appeared.

Kalpeswara Temple: 

It comes last in the order of Pancha Kedar Temples. And It would help if you visited Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar temples before Kalpeshwar temple. It is the only Panch Kedar temple that is open all year round. 

Also, it is a small temple, and devotees must pass through a cave to reach it. Kalpeswara temple is the place where Shiva’s Jata (tress) appeared.

Best time to visit Patal Bhuvaneshwar Temple

You can see the cave temple anytime except during monsoon and rainy seasons. But October and November are the best time to visit Patala Bhuvaneshwar after the monsoon season. 

Summer: The summer season in this region lasts from April to June. The temperature ranges from a min of 19°C to a maximum of 36°C. 

Monsoons: The monsoon season in this region lasts from July to September. The place receives good rainfall from the southwest monsoon. 

Winter: The winter here starts in December and ends in February. Temperatures drop to around four °C during this time. 

Accommodation in Pathal Bhuvaneshwar: 

There are some budget accommodation facilities available in Pathal Bhuvaneshwar with limited facilities. These guesthouses offer guests a comfortable stay. 

 This place does not have luxurious accommodations available. In addition, there is a government-owned guesthouse (KMVN) at Patal Bhuvaneshwar.

  • Hotel Shrestha,
  • KMVN Tourist Rest House Chaukori,
  • B.N Resort,
  • Summit Parwati Resort,
  • KMVN Tourist Rest House, Patal Bhuvneshwar,
  • Hotel Kaushalya Residency, Berinag

Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple Address:

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Rd, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Uttarakhand 262522

Website

How to reach Patal Bhuvaneshwar Temple?

By Road:

The best way to travel to Pithorghar is by road, bus or taxi. Many are private and public. Buses and taxi services are available from Haldwani, Anand Vihar, ISBT Delhi and ISBT Dehradun. 

By Train:

There is no railway station in Pithorghar. The nearest railway head is at a distance of 138 km at Tanakpur. 

By Air:

The nearest airport to Patal Bhuvaneshwar by air is Naini Saini Airport, Pithoragarh, 88 km from the temple. Several buses and taxi services are available from Pithorghar to Patal Bhuvaneshwar.

FAQs:

What is the route to Patala Bhuvaneshwar? 

Route from Delhi to Patal Bhuvaneshwar Delhi to Ghaziabad then Rajabpur followed by Rajabpur next stop Haldwani then Nainital, and after Nainital, the last station is Almora hill station. Almora had followed by Binsar and, finally, Patal Bhuvneshwar.

Why is Patal Bhuvaneshwar famous? 

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is famous for its 160-meter-long limestone cave dedicated to Lord Shiva. It had believed that many pilgrims come from all over the country to seek blessings at this place.

Who discovered Patal Bhuvaneshwar?

Raja Ritupurna.

Why is Patal Bhuvaneshwar famous?

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is famous among tourists as Cave, Temples, and Scenic Beauty. Patal Bhuvaneshwar had recommended a destination for Couples, Families and Kids, Foreigners, Groups, and Solo.