In the Vedas and Puranas, there is a description of the existence of worlds above and below the earth. There are considered to be seven worlds below the earth and six above the earth. In the Puranas, three worlds of the universe have been described which have been divided into 14 Bhuvans. According to Vishnu Purana, the number of worlds or Bhuvans is 14. So let us know which are those worlds, who lives there and who resides there.

In Hinduism, there is mention of many worlds in Vedas and Puranas. It is believed that there are worlds above the earth as well as below the earth. There are 7 worlds below the earth. There is always mention of Trilok in religious texts. These three worlds have been divided into 14 Bhuvans. Some of which are below the earth and some above the earth. Earth has been called the seventh world.

According to Hindu scriptures, there is mention of heaven above the earth and below it is the netherworld. In Hindu scriptures, netherworld is considered to be the last world.

There is a separate arrangement for all the souls in these worlds, be it Dev, Daanv, Rishi-Muni, or human beings. According to religious scriptures, the living arrangements for all are described differently. According to Vishnu Puran, there are three Lokas and 14 Bhuvanas. Out of these, 7 Lokas are called Udharvlok and 7 are called Netherlok. Let us know which are those 3 Lokas and which 14 Bhuvanas they are divided into.

Heaven (upper world, higher world)

Gods reside in this world. King Indra, Sun God, Wind God, Moon God, Fire God, Varun God, Brihaspati, Guru of Gods, Apsaras and all Hindu Gods and Goddesses reside here.

Bhuloka (middle world)

Bhulok means Earth. Humans live here

Hades (Underworld)

Demons, devils, yakshas and big snakes reside here. King Bali resides in this world who was blessed with immortality by Lord Vishnu. Vishnu Purana describes seven types of netherworlds.

Description of the 14 Bhuvans of the three worlds

1. Satlok - Satyalok is said to be 12 crore yojanas above Taplok and Brahma ji resides here. Brahma's power resides here. It is called Brahmalok. High class sages and saints also reside here.
2. Tapolok Tapalok is said to be eight crore yojanas above Janlok and a deity named Vairaj resides here. This is the world of ascetics.
3. Janlok Janlok is said to be two crore yojanas above Mahalok and sages like Sanakadik etc. reside here. This is Devlok, where the gods reside.
4. Mahalok – This Lok is described to be one crore yojanas away from Dhruva Lok. It is believed that Siddhagans like Bhrigu reside here. This is the Lok of the Gods.
5. Dhruvalok: This world is placed in the category of heaven. This region is spread from the Sun to the Pole. Indra and the gods of heaven reside here.
6. Siddhalok – It is also called Bhuvarlok. The area in space from the earth to the sun comes under the category of Bhuvarlok. The gods of space reside in that area.
7. Prithvi Lok – Bhulok is the place where humans, animals and creatures reside. Earth is a part of Bhulok.
8. Atal Lok Atal Lok is at a depth of ten thousand yojanas from our earth and its land is said to be white. A demon named Bala lives here.
9. Vital Lok – Vital Lok is ten thousand yojanas below Atal. Its land is of black colour. Lord Shiva's followers reside in this Lok.
10. Sutal Lok – It is ten thousand yojanas below Vital and its land is like Arun. King Bali resides in this Lok. He is the king of Sutal.
11. Talatalok – It is ten thousand yojanas below the netherworld and its land is of yellow colour. A demon named Asur Maya lives here.
12. Mahatalok is ten thousand yojanas below Talatal and its land is said to be rocky. Snakes rule here. Snakes like Kaliya, Takshak etc. live here.
13. Rasatala Lok – This is ten thousand yojanas below Mahatalok and its land is said to be rocky. Powerful demons reside here.
14. Patal Lok Patal Lok is ten thousand yojanas below Rasatal Lok and it is called the lowest Lok. It is called Naag Lok. Its land is golden i.e. made of gold. Vasuki Naag rules in this place.

It is said that demons, monsters and serpents reside in these seven underworlds.

According to Vishnu Puran, Bhulok, Bhuvarlok and Swarlok are considered as created worlds and Janlok, Taplok and Satyalok are considered as non-created worlds. Maharlok is called as created world.