Patal Bhuvaneshwar - How to Reach?

One of the must visit places if you are an adventure freak and anesthetist would definitely be Patal bhuvineshwar. I would bet a million pounds on anyone who would not start believing in the almighty,after he/she visits this place.If you are visiting Naitnital..>Almora..and have reached till Jageshwar, I will strongly emphasize you to visit this place as,you might not be able to stretch this far in the mountains again in your life.

The road to Pithhoragarh from Jageshwar is very bad, and although the map may say 1hr 45 minute journey. do not be mistaken.It's a 4 to 5 hour journey by road, that will take you to the interior of the Kumaon mountains. Population will become scarce and the Jungle would grow darker and denser. 

it is advisable that you cover the distance during the day, so that by evening you have reached a lodging at Patal Bhuvaneshwar.Make sure of carrying warm clothes. It's a good idea to walk down 1-2 kms to the mouth of the cave.I saw many people who were very frightened to enter the cave (One needs to descend into the cave using chains).Incase you get any goosebumps,try to overcome your fears as what you would see inside the cave would re-affirm your faith in god and will make you a believer. Do check out Google images for more :)

 

Pahadi Nimbu and Curd

There is more to the ingredients, than the ones mentioned in the name.This combination is best enjoyed during the lazy and sunny winter afternoons.

Ingredients:

1. Grind Bhang seeds ,green chillies and dhaniya (Coriander leaves)

2. Mix the above paste in Curd.

3. Add a pinch of black salt to the above.

4. Peel off the Pahadi Nimbu, cut and add it to the above paste.

5. Go out to the sun lit terrace and treat your taste buds in the Kumaoni winter .

My mother peeling the Pahadi Nimbu on a winter noon

     

The final look :) 

Grandma Quotes a story!

My Grandmother was married at the age of 14 and by the age of 16 she had given birth to two children(The younger one being my father). She often narrates to me the days when she had been a young bride and lived in the Kumaoni village of Budhimanya district. The houses were such that cattle occupied the ground floor and the families lived in the first floor. The chulha where women prepared food was also in the ground floor ,A typical Kumaoni Woman’s day starts early in the morning, they need to go downhill to the river, to collect drinking water (they run the risk of being attacked by various animals).Take care of their families, prepare food, raise the cattle and also work in the fields. The guys generally laze around and by the end of the day live up to the famous quote” Surya ast, pahari mast”

                One of the Incidents , I remember is as follows, My grandmother had been preparing food downstairs when all of a sudden there was an alarm that a leopard has come into the village. It is very common for the predators like leopards,Jackals,hyenas to enter into villages in search of food inform of cattle and babies. The locals use the Kumaoni Mastiff or the Pahari kutta as their protection against such predators. These dogs are known for their courage and their ability to face, the most ferocious of predators. The British extensively used this breed as watchdogs throughout their empire.

One such local pet faced and killed the Leopard,that day . Kudos to the Kumaoni Mastiff!!