Constructed in the 8th century, the glorious Paraleshwar cave temple presents an iconic narration to the rich history of India. The temple is found in the epicenter of the city of Pune in Maharashtra. Carved out of a single rock, it is dedicated to the God of the underworld - Lord Pataleshwar.
Apart from a rich historical background, the temple holds some very detailed inscriptions, museums and architectural enigmas that make it an instant attraction among tourists from across the globe. Additionally, the temple is nestled with various tropics and a river around it which makes Pataleshwar a fascinating point for adventurers to scour.
From a grain of rice that contains close to 5,000 characters in it to the mammoth pillars holding the temple, tourists who visit here are awestruck by the temple’s extravagant beauty and design.
Not just tourists but devotees of Lord Shiva are also seen visiting this place quite often, making it not just a place to explore but worship too. Additionally, Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita and Ganesh temples also reside inside the cave.
The temple also shares a number of ancient stories and legends that are famous among local residents of the place. All in all, a clean subtle environment with much to explore, the Pataleshwar cave temple is perfect for a family outing. Travelers or devotees who love a calm and quiet destination will also find themselves at home here in the cave temple of Pataleshwar.
History of Pataleshwar cave temple:
The construction of the Pataleshwar cave dates back to the 8th century with a number of stones in the cave dating between 700 and 800 AD. The temple was trimmed out of a single rock and created as a building for monumental devotion towards Lord Patleshwar, also known as the God of the underworld.
There are numerous legends attached to the temple, some saying that the brave Pandavas who when once needed shelter resurrected the cave temple in just a couple of hours.
There are also several temples inside the cave including carvings and statues of Lord Shiva and Nandi which were also carved through a rare ancient rock during the Rashtrakuta Dynasty who ruled the majority of Indian land. However magnificent the temple is, it still remains incomplete. Upon examining the cave, historians found a defect line towards the end of the structure that indicates that the construction was stopped incomplete.
Many theories surround this discovery with some saying that this could be because of political instabilities and the development of matters greater than building the cave. It is also important to point out how strikingly similar the Pataleshwar caves are to the Elephanta caves located at the harbors of Mumbai.
A more recent history of the cave would be winning a name in the Guinness book of world records for having 5000 characters inside a grain of sand.
The architecture of Pataleshwar cave temple:
To start with, the entire cave temple of Pataleshwar is unbelievably carved out of a single rock. At the entrance, tourists can expect humongous and yet mesmerizing pillars acting as the cave's foundation. Furthermore, you'll find the statue of Lord Shiva and Nandi, etched in a rare form of rock, sitting inside the cave.
As you move further, there are a number of designs and inscriptions that decorate the walls of the cave. Close to the cave, there is also a vast sitting area where tourists can enjoy some quiet and peaceful time. Incarnations and sculptures of Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman among others can also be found inside the temple.
The cave is also equipped with several Ailes and a mandap making it an explorer's delight. A shivling is also present inside the construct which is prayed upon by the devotees with milk.
