The Legend of Bheem Pather
High in the forests above Gunnaid village lies a boulder so large that many visitors find it hard to believe nature could have left it there alone. Locals say it does not belong to this place at all. It was placed here by Bheem, the mighty Pandava, during his years of exile, known as agyaat vaas.
The story goes that Bheem was carrying this enormous stone to build a bridge over the Binwa River, linking the Shiva temple on one side with the valley on the other. He was working through the night, and the bridge was almost within reach. But as the first light of sunrise approached, or as someone spotted him at work, the spell of darkness that protected his task was broken. Startled, Bheem dropped the stone where it now lies, and the bridge was never completed.
Villagers point to the stone’s great size and to marks on its surface that they say were left by the chain used to haul it. To them, the boulder is proof that the story is true, and it is still spoken of with reverence.
From the stone, a stream begins its journey down the hillside. After about a kilometre, it plunges over the rocks as a waterfall that has become one of the most visited spots near Bir Billing. Known to visitors as the Bheem Pather or Bangor waterfall, it draws trekkers and day-trippers alike. The trail follows the stream through wet terrain, so take care on the slippery stones.
Whether you take the legend literally or simply enjoy it as a piece of local folklore, standing beside Bheem Pather gives a sense of how deeply the valley’s history is woven into its landscape. It’s a good stop on the way to the waterfall, and a reminder to respect the places that locals hold sacred.
Read more about the trek on our
Bhim Pathar waterfall guide,
or explore the full range of experiences at
Travel Bir Billing.
Want to see the valley from above? Book a flight with a licensed pilot through our
paragliding in Bir Billing page.
