Author Topic: PATAL BHUBANESHWAR CAVE & GANGOLI HAAT MAHA KALI TEMPLE IN PITHORAGARAH, UK  (Read 50947 times)

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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Dosto,

As you aware, our state is also known as Dev Bhoom. It means where Devi and Devta resides. You will find temple in Uttarakhand at every step.

People visit many such places not only for devotional purpose but also the tourism and to see them.

Here we will let you know about the unique cave of Patal Bhubaneshwar and Gangoli Haat Kali Temple.

M S Mehta

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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Re: PATAL BHUBANESHWAR CAVE & GANGOLI HAAT MAHA KALI TEMPLE IN PITHORAGARAH
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2007, 11:36:07 AM »
Patal Bhubaneshwar at Pithoragarh Disst of Uttarakhand

Patal Bhubanneshwar is 14 kms to the north of Gangolihat and 91 kms, from Pithoragarh Patal Bhubaneshwar is located at an elevation of 1350 mts. above sea level.

The way to the temple is through a narrow tunnel shaped cave. The main passage way opens into several small caves which have in them the stone carvings of many local Gods and Goddesses and can evoke weird romantic fancies and images in the religiously inclined person.

The cave temple of Patal Bhubaneshwar is traditionally believed to be the abode of thirty three crore deities.


Season to Visit the Cave : Round the year

 

Anubhav / अनुभव उपाध्याय

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Main bhi jaroor jaaunga Mehta ji is mandir main.

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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Yes Sir,

This place is worth to visit. Here is some more details about this Cave.

Patal Bhuvaneshwar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave temple 14 km from Gangolihat in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. It is located in the village Bhubneshwar. Legend and folklore have it that this underground cave enshrines Lord Shiva and sixty four crore Gods. 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. There is a folk lore that the Pandava brothers passed their time here during banishment.



Main bhi jaroor jaaunga Mehta ji is mandir main.

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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Mahar Ji ,

Welcome.

It is said Maa Kali had shown a mircle when ship of KUmoan regiment jawan was likely to sink.

कालिका माता की जय,
  यह स्लोगन है कुमाऊ रेजीमेंट का

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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Mahar Ji,

You have done it. Actually, i was searing these photographs. 1 karma to you for this nice job.


jay shiv shankar, jo is mandir mai ek baar jayega, baar-bar jane ka uska man karega. mandir ke bare me aur janiye

link is http://www.patalbhuvaneshwar.com/

a group in yahoo
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/patalbhuvaneshwar

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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WHAT PEPLE SAY ABOUT PATAL ... BHUBNESHWAR.

READ WHAT OTHERS HAVE POSTED ABOUT PATAL BHUVANESHWAR

 
I am impressed with the site that has given so much attention to this cave temple..I have visted it.I have found such cave temples onthe road from ginauti dahi cahtti to dubatta bend uttarkashi too same but smaller with all the shapes..idol worship is a tradition in our country and natural stalagmites and stalacttites lime drops form all thes shapes and bhaktas are drowned in in their shapes..it is a good place to meditate just like the valley road to jageshwar nearby artola almora road to p.b.caves...there are lots of such places and early poet bhaktas have sung eulogies and allegories over it but we as vedic hindus adore such places and give it attention ..limited..which these places incidently deserve..nature is wonderful and vedas celebrate it all but ''Shiva'' is within you when you climb down here or go to panch kedar-tungnath the highest point..same holds true for ice lingam of amarnath..darshan of the point of marvel should remind us of the divine ..not less or more..Caves are there in andhra bora caves..central asia..florida usa and many such places in the world we have not been to..it is the divinity within you all that makes you see the ''shiva'' within reflected onto the natural marvels..Atma shatkam shankara..

- Dr. Hemant Sant, Vadodra, Gujarat

 

Traveling to Patal Bhuvaneshwar was an amazing trip, both spiritually as well as for adventure and relaxation. Located in the deep and distant hills of Uttarakhand, one has to travel through touch, but beautiful mountains for more than 8 hours. My own tour from Haldwani began in the morning at 8 am. As I drove across the hills, I felt the freshness of the Mother Nature. But after reaching Patal Bhuvaneshwar, I was about to collapse due to the long journey. But still took trouble of going down immediately into the cave the very same day. One step inside the cave relieved me from the exhaustion. The temple priest explicitly narrated me the tales of all Hindu gods and goddesses including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, the Yugas, the Pandavas, the Airawat, Sheshnag, Hans, Raja Ritupurna, Lord Narsimha and many others. The rock structures are natural yet so precise in explaining the grand stories of our great Hindu mythology. Truly, the essence of the Vedas and the Puranas is here. It is indeed as mysterious as the concept of patal.

- Amit Ghosh, Pune, India

 

The Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave certainly has strong spiritual vibrations. I have spent hours inside it meditating and offering pujas and making chants. The spiritual energy is highly refreshing. You carry it back home for several days after visiting the cave-temple. I have also lived with the friendly community in the village there and have tasted the local culture.

- Hozumi, Tokyo, Japan

 

I have spent years between Rishikesh and Haridwar, (though I am from UK). My deep attachment with the Hindu culture, spirituality, religion, the pujas, the Vedas and the Puranas and the spectacular gods and goddesses has had a strong influence on my life. I have also visited Devprayag, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Bhadrinath, Kedarnath, Rudraprayap, Guptakashi...I have visited temples on many mountains and have witnessed the divinity of the Himalayas. But none of these visits were as elevating as the simple visit to Patal Bhuvaneshwar. It seemed as if it covered my pilgrimage in one instance. I seem to have found a direction to know the truth through the Hindu mythology. After visiting the cave, I have now returned back to delve into the magnificent stories of the Hindu mythology.

Sarah Mousley, UK, (presently at Rishikesh)

 

I am particularly fascinated by the Hans structure inside the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave. It's difficult to believe that it's natural, but it is and the curse of Lord Brahma could also be felt now after so many centuries. I am deeply interested to know more about the cave as mentioned in the Puranas. I have tried to read through Skandpurana, but could not find anything...wondering which version it is...can anybody help...I have also tried to collect articles and books on Patal Bhuvaneshwar.

Mita Majumdar, Darjeeling, India

 

I am interested in community tourism and eco-tourism practices, particularly managed by the communities. I have heard about Patal Bhuvaneshwar promoting such practices. But was heavily disappointed on reaching there as there was really nothing to see in this context. The entire place is a trekker's delight. There is wildlife, rivers, rocky mountains, peak views...everything set for an adventure. But poor organization and management. I hope during my next visit, there will be improvement. Cultural tourism should be strongly promoted with the community actively supporting tourists for stay and food arrangement.

Roger Dade, Sydney, Australia

 
Patal Bhuvaneshwar in Uttarakhand is truly a wonder of nature. Set in a serene environment, amidst the tall and beautiful mountains, it displays the truth of God. The cave depicts the awesome heroes of Hindu mythology, as if they are alive and standing. Lord Narsimha, Sheshnag, Lord Ganesha, Patal Bhairavi, the Hans, Kalbhairav, Lord Shiva are all there in solid natural rock form...in addition to the great tales of Mahabharata, again represented in rock structures...the famous encounter between Lord Hanuman and Bheema, the games of the Pandava brothers, Krishna's Kalpavriksha etc.

-Rajiv Arora, New Delhi, India

 

...Apart from the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave, the place also has  a magnificent temple, displaying ancient architecture. I was told about another cave in the same village which the villagers use for worship. I was most impressed with the scenic beauty of the place...The Himalayas covering the horizon, the rivers flowing down, the rich forests and the wildlife...

- Biswas, Kolkata, India

 

...Visiting Patal Bhuvaneshwar is equivalent to visiting the char dhams of Bhadrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri. One of the rock structures inside the cave has the exact replica of the Char Dhams. I was also told by the local guide that there is a secret tunnel inside the cave that runs up to Kashi.

-Sachin Kapur, Mumbai, India

 

I completed my seventh visit to the cave this year. I am honoured and blessed by Lord Shiva. I have also visited several different caves in India, but nothing as spiritual as Patal Bhuvaneshwar. I hope to continue my visits every year.

Mahesh Kumar, Belgaum, Karnataka

 
A real splendor of nature. Back in my country, I am still carrying the wonder in my head. There is so much truth to be known about our distant mysterious past, mingled in mythology...Truly one of the best mysteries I have witnessed.

-Carla Jones, New York, United States


lLink..

http://images.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b8/UttarakhandDistricts.png/200px-
UttarakhandDistricts.png&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pithoragarh_district&h=150&w=200&sz=30&hl=en&start=4&sig2=-YsnWeYoGMA4inCuqwkmXg&tbnid=etg1PRs3EVNGgM:&tbnh=78&tbnw=104&ei=7C0LR-7YM4HkgAOyh4TqAw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpatal%2Bbhubneshwar%2Bcave%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den


एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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Mythology...
 The Lingam inside the Cave
The Lingam is the epicenter of all pujas held inside the cave. It is also the only man-made structure of the cave, other than the artificially-made staircase. History records that the famous Hindu saint-philosopher, Adi Shankaracharya, who had travelled across different parts of India to spread his philosophy, had visited this cave and consecrated it by establishing this copper lingam. Since then, the tradition of offering worship inside the cave has been going on through a single generation of priests. The consecration of the cave is very much according to the prophecy made in the Skandpurana that the cave would be reopened in Kaliyuga.

 

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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The Tongue of Kalbhairav's Dog

Kalbhairav is another god of the great Hindu pantheon, fearless and warrior-like. He is very well known in Varanasi in (Uttar Pradesh, India) as a "watcher." There is also a temple in his name in the same place. He is mostly accompanied by his favourite loyal dog.

A rock structure in the cave of Patal Bhuvaneshwar is shaped exactly like a tongue, hanging out from a cavity.

एम.एस. मेहता /M S Mehta 9910532720

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Statues of following god & goddess are inside the cave.. I have visited this cave atlest 4 times. Photography inside the cave has been banned now.


The Story of Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha is one of the most popular gods of the Hindu religion. He is considered to be the god of wisdom and prudence and possesses a thorough knowledge of the scriptures. He is often represented as an entity immersed in writing, signifying the transcription of the Mahabharata epic, which he did under the dictation of Sage Ved Vyas.

There are numerous stories associated with this god. The most relevant in relation to the cave of Patal Bhuvaneshwar is the story when he lost his head and had to be replaced with that of an elephant. Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva gave birth to Lord Ganesha. All gods and goddesses were invited to see the handsome boy. Although everyone arrived, Parvati’s brother, Sani (Saturn) hesitated to come as he was cursed by his wife that if he saw anyone, that person would be reduced to ashes. Parvati insisted Sani to come and see the new born. Finally, when Sani agreed and came and saw the boy, the head of the Ganesha flew off. This immensely depressed Parvati.

Lord Brahma intervened and advised that if the head of the first animal sighted is brought and planted over the boy’s body, he will survive. Lord Vishnu set off to find the animal and at the foothills of Mount Kailash, he found an elephant. He cut off its head and brought it and planted it on the body of Lord Ganesha. The anointing (abhiskek) of the torso was done with the holy water of Sastradal Kamal during the time when Lord Vishnu went out seeking the head of an animal. This is represented in the rocks inside the cave of Patal Bhuvaneshwar.

Another version of the story is that when Lord Shiva was away, Parvati gave birth to Lord Ganesha. Once while she was having a bath, she asked his son to stay guard at the doorway. During this time, Lord Shiva reached his abode and wanted to meet his wife. However, Lord Ganesha refused to allow him into the house as his mother was having a bath. This angered Lord Shiva and he cut off the boy’s head. As soon as Parvati came out and saw this, she informed that he was their son. Lord Shiva repented his mistake and went in search of an animal head to plant it to on his son’s body. Finally, the head of the elephant was brought and put it on the body of Lord Ganesha.

 
Sheshnag

According to the Skandapurana, Sheshnag served as a guide to Raja Ritupurna and led him all through the Patal. In the cave, his position is aptly placed or formed out of natural rock right at the side of the bottom of the staircase. As soon as one lands on the cave floor, the “guide” is present to show the way. Shesnag is revered in Hindu mythology for maintaining the balance of the earth on his hood and preventing it from sinking into Patal.



The Hans of Lord Brahma


Lord Brahma, the creator is symbolically shown as riding the Hans-Vahana or the vehicle of the swan. The Hans is the favourite of Lord Brahma. However, the rock structure inside the cave depicts the story when Hans drinks the nectar, instead of guarding it and the angry god curses the bird. The creature ends up with a twisted head.

 

Airawat

Airawat, the divine elephant is the carrier of Lord Indra. It is considered to be the mightiest of all elephants and also referred as the king of elephants.

 
 
The Pandavas

The greatest epic on earth, the Mahabharatha records the adventures of the Pandava and Kaurava brothers. Gambling was the favourite past time of the royal family. The game was one of the biggest source of humiliation for the Pandavas, when they had to lose everything to their cousins (Kauravas), including Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas.

 
 
The Jatas of Lord Shiva

A powerful king by name Saghara performed the Ashwamedha Yagna (the horse sacrifice).  However, the horse got lost in a forest and the king sent his sons to fetch it.  They searched everywhere, but the horse could not be found.  They thought the horse could be under the earth, so they started digging it.  When the excavations were too large, Lord Vishnu turned then into dust.  When Saghara came to know of this, he desired that his sons go to heaven.  But this was possible only when the river Ganga, which used to flow only in the heavens at that time, would start flowing on earth.  Saghara’s grandson, Bhagirath took up intense penance.  Finally, Lord Brahma conceded and decided to let Ganga flow on earth.  But the river goddess was not at all happy with this decision.  She had to consent with the decision, but swore to flood the earth and destroy all mankind.  At this moment, Lord Shiva intervened and to prevent the annihilation of human life, he spread his jatas or hair just above the spot where the great waters of Ganga were to fall on earth.  The jatas withhold most of the water and only a fraction of it fell on earth, dividing it into seven rivers.  Thus, was formed the River Ganga on earth with her tributaries.

The Kalpavirksha Tree

The Kalpavirksha tree was a heavenly tree which had the power of granting wishes. When Satyabhama, one of the wives of Lord Krishna expressed her wish to him to have this tree, Krishna set out to take hold of it. When Indra refused to hand it over to him, he took it away from him in a forcible manner.

 
 
The 33-crore or 330 million Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon
The term "33 koti devas" from the Hindu scriptures is interpreted as 33 crore or 330 million gods and goddesses existing in the Hindu religion.


 
Vishwakarma

Vishwakarma is considered to be the son of Lord Brahma. He is referred in the Vedas as the divine architect of the whole universe, the builder of the palaces of all gods and goddesses and also the designer of their flying chariots. He is usually represented as possessing a water-pot, a book, a noose, tools and lot of gold jewelry in his four hands.


Saptarishi Mandal

The Saptarishi Mandal is the Hindu astronomical concept of the Big Dipper. It is originally referred to the group of seven rishis or sages, representing the galaxy. They are wide referred in the Vedas and other sacred Indian texts. It is believed that these rishis were born out of the thoughts of Lord Brahma.


 
The Yugas

The ancient Hindu philosophy has divided the entire creation process into epochs called Yugas. The existence of the entire human raced is referred to as Divya Yuga, lasting up to 4,320,000 years. This Yuga is divided into four yugas: (1) Satya Yuga (2) Treta Yuga (3) Dwapara Yuga (4) Kali Yuga


(1) Satya Yuga: This Yuga last for about 1,728,000 years. This Yuga is referred to the Age of Truth where everyone followed righteousness and lived in accordance with the true moral principles of life. This Yuga is considered to be the Golden Age of human existence
(2) Treta Yuga: The Treta Yuga followed Satya Yuga, running for a span of 1,296,000 years. It is considered as the Silver Age of human life. During this Age, there was some degree of loss in truthfulness and people started to lose their awareness in objective reality.
(3) Dwarpara Yuga: This Yuga is also referred to as the Bronze Age of human life, lasting to some 864,000 years. In this Age, people further lost their consciousness and further fell down in their actions and truthfulness.
(4) Kali Yuga: The last of the Great Ages where the entire human race takes up to extreme forms of immorality and sinfulness. Man has lost all identification with his true self. This Iron Age of mankind is said to be lasting for 432,000 years. The end of this Yuga will be the end of the entire human race.

 
About the Land The Village In the Beginning Tourist Information
The Map Inside the Cave View the Pictures Mythology
 

 

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