Pataleshwar Caves

Rutvij khatu 12 months ago

Pataleshwar Caves Pune is dedicated to Lord Pataleshwar – a name dedicated to Shiva. ‘Patal’ translates to ‘underworld’, and ‘Ishwar’ translates to ‘Lord’. Inside the caves, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Nandi, which was made from an excavated monolithic rock during the reign of ‘Rashtrakuta Dynasty‘ in 8th century AD. Passages, circular Nandi Mandapa, and massive pillar are the noticeable features of the conserved site.Panchaleshwar or Bhamburde Temple are the other names of Pataleshwar Temple.The temple looks like a true beauty with all the finely crafted pillars, giant circular stones, and rotunda roof. Nandi Mandapa, another specimen of fine craftsmanship, sits beneath the roof. The sound of the bells is also unique.

Taking a closer look you will find similarities between the architecture of Pataleshwar temple and Elephanta Caves.

Apart from the fine carvings on the black temple rocks, there is something really tiny that makes a great attraction; a grain of rice. The grain, which is kept in the museum inside the caves, has 5000 letters inscribed on it and has been mentioned in the Guinness Book Of Records. You can also find the idols of other Hindu gods as Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Ganesh, and Lakshmi inside the temple complex.

SKYLINE 16 months ago

The Pataleshwar Caves, also referred to as the Panchaleshvara temple or Bhamburde Pandav cave temple, are an 8th century rock-cut Hindu temple from the Rashtrakuta period located in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
The Pataleshwar temple is a protected monument of India and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Komal Adhav 14 months ago

8th century Rock cut Hindu temple from the Rashtrakuta period located in Pune .

Dedicated to Shiva, it was a monumental monolithic excavation with a notable circular Nandi mandapa and a large pillared mandapa.

The Nandi sits on a pedestal, also monolithically carved out of the natural rock

It’s a beautiful place, one of the most ancient Structures in Pune

The temperature inside is cool , even while it’s very hot outside

No Entry fee
Timing : 8 am- 5.30 pm
Due to renovation work the main entrance is closed, can enter through the office gate
Can sit outside the main cave
Pujari doesn’t allow people to sit inside the cave .
Only few people who were genuinely interested were sitting and were being driven out .
Outside the crowd mainly is of college students whiling away time.