Bhogavati


In Hindu mythology and Buddhist mythology, Bhogavatī is the subterranean capital of the Nagas in the Nagaloka region of Patala. The place is also called Putkari. It is mentioned as Naga capital at. The foremost of cities which resembles the Amaravati of Deva king Indra, is known by the name of Bhogavati. It is ruled over by Vasuki, the king of the Nāgas. Shesha, the foremost of Nagas who is a great ascetic also dwells here. In the region south-west to Deva territories is the city called Bhogavati that is ruled by Vasuki, by the Naga Takshaka and also by Airavata.
The Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand Sarg 41, mentions about the directions given to southward search party for Sita, prepared by Sugriva under the leadership of Angad, in which several important Vanaras were included - Neel, Hanuman, Jamvanta, Suhotra, Shararita, Shargulma, Gaja, Gavaksha etc. Sugriva told them about the impassable countries and difficult path and said...
Bhagavathpada Sri Adi Shankaracharya in his Soundaryalahari has compared the eye sight of Devi among other things to the city of Bhogavati also.

Buddhism

Bhogavatī appears in Buddhist tradition as a palace in the Nāga world. It is the residence of the Nāga King Varuṇa.
A somewhat detailed description of the palace is given in the Vidhurapaṇḍita Jātaka.

In popular culture

Bhogavati is featured as a level in the 2008 video game . The game places Bhogavati in Thailand, and depicts the nāga as giant, venom spitting lizards which inspired the later myths.