Pataleshwar Cave, Pune: A Monolithic Masterpiece

Few architectural marvels have been carved out from a single, solid rock. Much before creations of renaissance Europe, India saw monolithic masterpieces like the famous Vivekananda Rock in Kanyakumari and the relatively not so famous, Pataleshwar Cave in Pune.

Head downtown to Jangli Maharaj Road from anywhere in Pune (15-minute rickshaw ride from Deccan) to reach Pataleshwar Cave, this site is named after Lord Shiva, the lord (Ishwar) of the nether world (Pataal).

History behind the Pataleshwar Cave Pune

The temple is also known as Panchaleshvara or Bamburde Temple. It is built from a monolithic excavation dated to a period between 8th and 9th Century AD. This period is known as Rashtrakuta Period, after the royal dynasty that ruled large parts of India during this said time. Interestingly, the cave temple bears striking resemblance to the massive rock-cut temples of Ellora near Aurangabad.

Inside Pataleshwar Cave Pune

A huge basalt rock has been carved into enormous pillars, a giant circular stone, a statue of Nandi Bull and of course, a stone phallus of Lord Shiva, commonly known as shivling. On entering the premises, the first thing you will notice is a spectacular rotunda roof with massive pillars supporting it. Step beneath this structure and you will be inside the Nandi Mandapa looking at the famous Nandi Bull, the mythological bull believed to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

In front of this dome is the small cave where the linga is situated. Accompanying it are statues of Hindu deties including Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita in two smaller cells on each side.

Besides the cave and the Nandi Mandapa, there’s a lot of open space where tourists can sit, roam around, click pictures or simply relax beneath one of the old trees. The shivling here is anointed with a mixture of curd, honey and ghee every day. You can visit the temple anytime between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.

An Incomplete Creation

Beautiful as this construction may seem, it remains incomplete. There was a rift or a fault line located at the back of the cave, which most likely stalled expansion. Another theory about the stalled construction is the political turmoil that shifted focus from completing the cave to other important affairs.

Whether you are a history buff, a mythology enthusiast, an avid traveller, or a shiv bhakt; a visit to Pataleshwar Cave Pune will surely be a fascinating one.