[v&v]

The main cave leads to four caves.They are known as "Pap Dwar" and "Ran Dwar" are presently closed/blocked with huge rock stones. It is believed that the Pap Dwar was closed after Lord Rama killed Ravana and the Ran Dwar was closed after the defeat of Kauravas in the famous battle of Mahabharat. The other two cave are Dharma Dwar & Moksha dwar. One has to enter through Dharma Dwar and exit from other side through Moksha dwar. Upon entering through Dhwrma Dwar one can see the heavenly tree, the Kalpavriksha.




Further ahead there is another cave leading to Kadalivan in Vrindavan. On the right side there is a big hole where it is believed that Maharshi Markandeya did tapasya. Next to the cave is the Udders of Kamadhenu, the sacred cow.



Next one can see 'Brahma kapal', it is believed to be the place where one of the heads of Brahma fell. Tarpan at this spot is considered to be highly auspicious


Next is The Saptahrishimandal (the Seven Rishis) , Havan Kund erected by Vishwarma
& The Jata of Lord Shiva along with Narvadeshwar and the thirty three crore Devtas.




Further ahead is the main Shivling, consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya. it is being worshiped presently and is where rituals are being performed every morning.



Further ahead on climbing steps there is a small cave with some stone formations depicting the 5 pandav with shiva and parvati and ganesh on Lord Shivas lap. it is beleived that this cave further bifurcates to two and one leads to Rameshwaram and other to Kashi Vishwanath




After exiting through Moksha dwar, one can see The linga of Kaliyug : It is said that when it meets the cone from up that will be the end of Kaliyug.




After this we again reach the same place where we descended. Finally before climbing back , pandit ji was also told us that it is believed that visiting this place is equivalent to visiting the Char Dhams. The climb back is little difficult due to narrow passage. Overall a nice and unique experience. We left Patal bhuvaneshwar by 1200 to our next destination for the day was Chaukori, which was about 25 kms from here.

[Trojan]

Wow, thanks V&V that was some awesome narration put together.

Really transports you to another world when you read and see these. The actual experience must have been spectacular I am sure.

Waiting for more now.

Cheers!
Trojan

[v&v]

Thanks Trojan. The actual experience is even more spectacular due to the environment around. Must visit place if one is around the region.

Continuing... Chaukori is a small village with tea gardens and couple of hotels. Beautiful place for viewing of mighty Himalayas. KMVN property is at a good location. We could not sight the snow capped Himalayas as whole view was swamped by clouds since morning. Also one can witness beautiful sun rise and sun set too. NandaDevi, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nandakot and Panchauchuli are clearly visible from here.

We spent about an hour and half and left for Berinag.

View while returning from Patal







View from KMVN TRH, Chaukori

[TB16]

Great travelogue buddy. Reminded me of my trip to patal bhuvaneshwar and chaukori some 7-8 years back. The best time to witness the entire mountain range (nandadevi, trishul etc) is indeed during the winter season. One can enjoy the amazing views almost throughout the day till the sunsets completely.

[v&v]

Thanks TB16. Yes we got some awesome view during our last visit to Jageshwar. The KMVN manager was saying that the peaks were visible a week before between 5 to 7 am.

Here is a shot taken during last trip



Also shairing some bird pics taken at Chaukori.

Grey Bushchat




Blackbird


Striated laughingthrush


Russet Sparrow


Bulbul

[v&v]

Continuing : We for Berinag by 2 pm. Enroute we went to Veni nag temple. Its about a km before Berinag town while coming from Chaukori. Its on the hill top. The temple as closed.

About Berinag
Berinag replete nag temples like Feninag, Kalinag, Bashukinag and Veninag temple. Veninag temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The town is named Berinag after Nagveni Dyanasty King Benimadhava. It is also beleived that Kalianag lived here after being defeated by lord Krishna. Veninag temple host annual Nag Mahotsav every March-April.













We had out lunch at Berinag town and by 5 pm we were at Gangoli.

[v&v]

Day - 3
Our next destination was Dinapani about 12kms Almora on Binsar road. Route options were drive back from Shera ghat to Almora or Drive via Choukori, Baghnath. Even from Baghnath there is route connecting Almora. The third is via Kausani to Almora.

Beautiful morning sight from hotel room




Enquiry at taxi stand at Gangoli confirmed the Berinag-Baghnath route in good condition and hence decided to drive via longer route. So the final itinerary : Visit Baghnath, Bajnath, Kausani and then to Almora-Dinapani - a total distance of 190 kms.

We left Gangolihat at 7 am. Planned our breakfast somewhere mid way. Reached Barinag in 45 min and as non of were hungry, decided to have breakfast further ahead somewhere. That turned out to be a wrong decision. There isn't much eatery option after Berinag & Baghnath. Only small tea shops selling Samose & Chai. Around 1030 am we reached a reasonably big villaged named Vijaipur. Saw a functionl restaurant had our breakfast. Maggi & Chole along with tea was the only option here too. Must say the Chole was awesome. Distinctly different masala used. Chole-Chai was a good combination.

Vijaipur town also offers good view of Himalayas. We just were able to get a glimpse before getting swamped by cloud. Finally we reached Bageshwar by 12 pm. Our destination was Baghnath temple.

Finally sighting of Mighty Himalayas






Bageshwar town view

[v&v]

Bageshwar is the hub for popular trekking tours to Pindari and Sunderdhunga glaciers. Others are Sukhram,Kafni and Maiktoli. One day if my health allows i would like to trek Pindari...

Bagnath Temple is located near the confluence of rivers Sarayu and Gomti. The temple pujari told us that Baghnath is a triveni sangam of Sarayu, Bhagirathi & Gomti. It is believed that Nilaparvat between river Sarayu & Gomti is inhabitated by many gods, siddhas and rishi munies. As per legends Markandey muni was visited by Lord Shiva disguised as tiger. Hence the temple is named Baghnath.













Sarayu River


Confluence of rivers Sarayu and Gomti

[v&v]

Our next destination was Baijnath Mahadev temple which is about 25 kms from Bageshwar.
It is a 12th century temple on the banks of Gomti River. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Parvati were married at the confluence of River Gomati and Garur Ganga. The architecture is quite similar to temples in Jageshwar.

Must say the temple is situated at a beautiful location...



Parking






Main temple








View while coming from Kausani

[v&v]

Also the opposite to entry to temple complex there is a big round stone Bheem Stone and is believed that can be lifted off the ground by 9 people with their index finger. Coincidentally there were about 9 of us and tried to lift it. First attempt failed by tried again and were able to lift up and hold for a while.

Bhim stone


We set off from Baijnath by 2 pm to Kausani. It was about 45 min driver to Kasuani. We stopped at Kausani Tea factory for lunch. The factory was closed but one could buy different types of tea here..

Kausani


Tea Factory - Uttranchal Tea Company Pvt. ltd

[v&v]

Had our lunch at Himalayan View restaurant opposite to Tea factory. Post lunch we explored the Tea factory, kids had a good gyan session. Though photography was not allowed, but on request they allowed to click on mobile.

View from the restaurant





The process involves - Sorting - Withering - Rolling - Fermenting - Drying - Tea (regular is ready)









Bought some 3-4 variety of regular and green tea. Worth mention is about Girias organic orthodox tea. Its export quality tea costing Rs2000/kg. Most of production is exported.

We left for Almora by 4 pm. The drive as very scenic and opposite traffic was low. Reached Deenapani by 6 pm. The KMVM Guest house on Binsar road about 12 kms from Almora.

[rock75]

Originally Posted by v&v

Route : Delhi - Ghaziabad - Muradabad - Rampur - {Rampur - Rudrapur (45 km) is tarred} - Rudrapur - Bhowali - Almora - Badechhina Sheraghat - Berinag road - Gangoli hat (515 kms) - 13 hr drive - 2 pit stops.

Over all roads are good condition. Last 20 kms from Berinag bend - Gangoli hat - is pathetic.

Hi v&v,

Excellent pictures and narration.

Please let us know about the present condition of Rampur-Rudrapur stretch. Particularly the bilaspur -Rudrapur (around 18kms) portion which has been horrible with giant sized craters. I hear they have repaired it recently.

[v&v]

Rock75. The whole road from rampur till Rudrapur is newly done. So no need for any detour.

[khoj]

Hey v&v another great travelogue, rated 5 stars.

Regarding the PatalBhuvaneshwar cave. How does one climb back out? In the snap of the way in the surface looks very slippery.

[v&v]

Thanks Tarun bhai... Climbing back is little tough but with help of chain on both side and some crawling gets there. The stone looks slippery but is safe..