Patal Bhuvaneshwar

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple
Patal Bhuvaneshwar Gufa Mandir
Entrance gate to Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple
Entrance gate to Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictPithoragarh
DeityShiva
Ganesha
Vishnu
33 Koti (Types) other deities
FestivalsMaha Shivaratri
Location
Location14 km away from Gangolihat
StateUttarakhand
Country India
Specifications
Direction of façadeEast
Elevation1,350 m (4,429 ft)

Patal Bhuvaneshwar (Hindi : पाताल भुवनेश्वर) is a limestone Hindu cave temple 14 km from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. It is located in the village of Bhubneshwar. Legend and folklore have it that this cave enshrines Lord Shiva and thirty three koti demigods [33 Types, In hindu neumerology "Koti" means "Types"]. The cave is 160 m long and 90 feet deep from the point of entrance. Limestone rock formations have created various spectacular stalactite and stalagmite figures of various hues and forms. This cave has a narrow tunnel-like opening which leads to a number of caves. The cave is fully electrically illuminated. Built by the flow of water, Patal Bhuvaneshwar is not just one cave, rather a series of caves within caves.

"He who wants to feel the presence of eternal power should come to the sacred Bhuvneshwar situated near the confluence of Ramganga, Sarayu and Gupt-Ganga." -Manaskhanda, Skanda Purana, whose 800 verses refer to Patal Bhuvaneshwar