Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple | |
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Patal Bhuvaneshwar Gufa Mandir | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Pithoragarh |
Deity | Shiva Ganesha Vishnu 33 Koti (Types) other deities |
Festivals | Maha Shivaratri |
Location | |
Location | 14 km away from Gangolihat |
State | Uttarakhand |
Country | India |
Specifications | |
Direction of façade | East |
Elevation | 1,350 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