Patal Bhuvaneshwar
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| Ancient temple outside the cave |
Patal Bhuvaneshwar is situated on the eastern part of Uttaranchal. This cave is considered highly auspicious by Hindus. A visit to this cave is equivalent to doing the Char Dham pilgrimage!
Tickets have to be purchased to enter the cave. A guide comes along with each group. To avoid photography, cameras and mobiles have to be deposited at the entrance of the cave. Surprisingly, the pictures of the holy places that are not to be photographed within the cave are publicly kept on sale everywhere!!
The path down into the cave is dangerous. The entrance into the cave is very narrow and steep. There are no handrails but chains to hold on to while going down. Only one person can climb up or down at a time. The smooth, slippery and wet steps are cut into the cave floor. Only on reaching the bottom of the steps does the immensity of the cave become apparent.
There are various formations of stalagmites and stalactites in the cave. Many stories from Hindu mythology are assigned to these formations. If one formation resembles the gridlocks of Shiva, another resembles the 1000 feet of Airavat. There are 4 stalagmites that represent the Char Dhams. At the extremity of the cave is a natural Shiva Lingam. The copper plate on the Shiva Lingam is believed to have been installed by Adi Shankaracharyan. Beyond it is the ‘Pandava room’. Legend has it the 4 Pandavas ascended to heaven from this part of the cave. I could not go to the Pandava room as this section of the cave re-opens only on 15th May.
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| Haat Kalika temple |
Outside the cave there are 2 historical temples. There is a small museum beside one of these
temples. Another temple associated with Patal Bhuvaneshwar is the Haat Kalika ( also called- Gangolihaat) temple. This temple is the patron deity of Kuamaon regiment and they have donated a lot of money for the upkeep if this temple. I was disappointed to see the priest standing in the sanctum giving offering to the devotees while talking on the mobile. I get a feeling that it is not God on the other end! A sign of the times, perhaps.
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| Another temple beside Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave |
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| Temple outside the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave |
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| Gangoli Haat temple |
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| One of the many historic temples outside Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave |
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