Pataleshwar Cave Temple

Introduction to Pathaleshwara

Pataleshwar Cave Temple is a special place to visit in Pune. Located on Jangli Maharaj Road, it’s dedicated to Lord Pataleshwar, who is known as the God of the Underworld. Built in the 8th century, this temple attracts both architecture lovers and religious tourists. Surrounded by the busy Jangli Maharaj Road, the temple’s quiet surroundings offer a peaceful escape for those looking to relax and unwind.

Pataleshwar Cave Temple History

The Pataleshwar Cave was carved by skilled craftsmen sometime between 700 and 800 AD. This ancient temple was created during the 8th century, with stones carefully shaped and placed to build its sacred spaces. They carved the temple out of a single rock and created it as a place of deep devotion to Lord Pataleshwar, the God of the Underworld.

There are many stories about the temple. One says that the brave Pandavas rebuilt the cave temple in just two hours when they needed a place to stay.

Inside the cave, there are also several temples with carvings and statues of Lord Shiva and Nandi. Craftsmen carved these structures from a rare, ancient rock during the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, which ruled most of India. Although the architecture is beautiful, they never finished the construction. When historians looked at the cave, they found a line near the end of the building that shows work stopped in the middle of a project.

There are a lot of ideas about how this finding happened. Some say it could be because of unstable politics and the progress of things other than building the cave. Many visitors clearly notice the similarity between the Pataleshwar Caves and the Elephanta Caves, near Mumbai’s harbour.

Not too long ago, the cave made history by getting its name in the Guinness Book of World Records for having 5,000 symbols in a single grain of sand.

Architecture of the Pataleshwar Cave Temple

At first glance, it’s surprising to know that the entire Pataleshwar Cave Temple was sculpted from one single rock. Visitors can expect to see huge, mesmerizing rocks that form the base of the cave at the entrance. There is also a figure of Lord Shiva and Nandi inside the cave. It is carved out of a very rare type of rock.

Since you go deeper into the cave, the walls start to have more patterns and writing on them. There is a large sitting area close to the cave where visitors can relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. You can also find statues and manifestations of Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman, and other gods inside the building.

The cave also has a mandap and several aisles, which makes it a great place for explorers. Inside the building, there is also a Shivling that people pray to with milk.

Shiva Linga and Nandi Mandapa

The beautifully carved Shiva Linga at the centre of Pataleshwar Cave Temple is thought to be the original place of worship since the 8th century. Located in front of it is a stunning Nandi Mandapa that is circular in shape and is formed of the same basalt rock. 

Nandi, the holy bull and Lord Shiva's faithful friend, sits quietly on a raised platform, looking towards the holy place. The mandapa used to have sixteen pillars holding up its roof. Some of them are still strong, while others have worn down over time, which adds to the temple's old-world charm.

Peaceful Garden and Unfinished Cave Nearby

There’s a quiet garden around the Pataleshwar Cave Temple that offers a peaceful break from Pune’s busy streets. This is a lovely place to sit, think, or just enjoy the peace and quiet. There are trees for shade and stone seats. 

As part of many Pune tour packages, tourists can also check out the unfinished cave next to the main temple. This is a fascinating way to remember how hard it was for ancient craftspeople. Even though it's not finished, it shows off early rock-cut building and gives the temple's story a bit of a mystery.