Bhimtal Knowledge Guide

History

Bhimtal is an ancient place named after Bhima of Mahabharata. Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple, an old Shiva temple in the bank of Bhimtal lake, is believed to have been built when Bhima visited the place during the banishment (vanvas) period of Pandavas. The present temple was built in the 17th century, by Baz Bahadur (1638–78 AD), a King of the Chand dynasty, and the Raja of Kumaon.Archived 2008-06-18 at the Wayback Machine British Library.6). Bhimtal is older than nearby Nainital as the city of Nainital is just 150–160 years old but ruled by Pathaks, M Pathak a great leader. He also built the old pedesterial road is still in use here and this road connects nearby Kathgodam to all Kumaon region and even to Nepal and Tibet. It might have been the part of the famous ancient silk route.