Pataleshwar Cave Temple is situated on the Jangli Maharaj Road and honours Lord Pataleshwar, who is considered to be the God of the Pataal (Underworld). Interestingly, Lord Pataleshwar is none other than a form of Lord Shiva himself.
What's interesting about the temple is that it has been carved out of a single giant rock. And perhaps, that is one reason why the temple architecture is so intriguing for tourists and devotees alike.
Here you will find very elaborate carvings and miniature paintings in the temple. Other than the Adiyogi Mahadev, the temple has also been dedicated to the bull Nandi, and inside the premises, one can spot idols of Nandi along with Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshmi, Lakshman, Ganesh and many other Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
It is believed that the construction of this temple was inspired by the historical Elephanta and Ellora Caves. Currently, the temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
If you plan to visit this temple soon then you need to know when is the right time to visit Pataleshwar cave Temple Pune. You can visit Pune at any time of the year. However, if you want to segregate the best slot for yourself then, travel here between October to March. During this time, the overall temperature is very pleasant for exploring the place around. The temple is open all days of the week and there is no entry fee.
History of Pataleshwar Temple
Also known as Panchaleshwar or Bhamburde, this temple was built between the 8th to 9th centuries. The architecture of the temple is quite similar to that of Elephanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra. It is also said that the temple was left incomplete at that time, due to a fault line which was found at the back of the sanctum sanctorum.
Major Attractions in and Around Pataleshwar Temple
For more than 250 years, this palace has been the dignified seat of Peshwa governance in these regions. However, in today’s times, it has been reduced to a mere tourist attraction. Still, the architectural beauty of this palace is quite intact and will win your heart.
2. Aga Khan Palace
It was built by Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III in 1892. The sultan had built this palace for the main objective of supporting the poor who were dealing with the consequences of famine at that time. Inside, one can also see a museum with a very good collection of historical pictures. And on the top of it, a few personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi are also present here.
Lal Mahal has a very glorious past attached to it. It speaks of the valour of the rulers and political leaders of that time. Unfortunately, there was continuous harm to this historical site by foreign invaders thus, it has not remained in its full glory. But still, if you want to explore lost remnants of our past, then, Lal Mahal won’t disappoint you.
4. Osho Ashram
If you are looking for peace, serenity and God, then you should visit this place. It is a very unique mix of meditation and a Greek resort stay. The main motive to visit the ashram is to find your own self and practice mindfulness. If you are not a member, then, you will need to take a one day pass to explore it.
How to Reach Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Pataleshwar Temple is situated in Pune and is a must-visit for anyone who wants to taste the uniqueness of Indian culture. It is located at an approximate distance of 1,456, 147, 1,937, and 843 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Here is how you can reach here by the following means of transportation.
By Air
Deboard at the Pune Airport and after that take some means of public transportation like a bus, cab to reach here. The airport has fairly good connectivity with other Indian cities. Otherwise, you can also consider taking a connecting flight from Mumbai Airport to Pune.
By Train
You will need to deboard at the Pune Railway station. It has good connectivity with other Indian cities. Once you deboard at the station, you can take a cab or some other means of transportation to reach here.
By Road
The road connectivity to Pune from other cities is quite good. You can also consider travelling here by road. For this, you will need to take a cab, bus or your own vehicle.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
