Pataleshwara Cave Temple is located on Jungli Maharaj Road in Pune. This 8th century, Rashtrakuta period temple carved out of hard basalt rock with a circular Nandimandapa in front of it. Both these structures are at a lower ground lever when compered to the surrounding area.
The cave temple devoid of sculptures very different from other famous caves in India. Never the less carved out from the hard rock temple which is well supported by several sturdy square pillars. A big brass bell in front of the main sanctum adds a contrast to the rocky temple. The dark cave has its own charm.
There are several sanctums in the temple for Rama, Laksman, Sita, Ganesh. But main diety of the temple is Shiva known as Pataleshwar. The Nandi under the umbrella shaped canopy is beautifully carved.
In the above mosaic we can see both main sanctum and beautifully carved Nandi.
The cave temple devoid of sculptures very different from other famous caves in India. Never the less carved out from the hard rock temple which is well supported by several sturdy square pillars. A big brass bell in front of the main sanctum adds a contrast to the rocky temple. The dark cave has its own charm.
There are several sanctums in the temple for Rama, Laksman, Sita, Ganesh. But main diety of the temple is Shiva known as Pataleshwar. The Nandi under the umbrella shaped canopy is beautifully carved.
In the above mosaic we can see both main sanctum and beautifully carved Nandi.
Interesting..!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting place! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletevery nice :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, as always!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting...you are really lucky to visit these places
ReplyDeleteHow nice to visit and see this lovely temple from the comfort of my armchair at home. Something I would have missed forever had I not stopped by from Blue Monday. I'm confused, they look like the same place but one with added items that look to heavy to move in and out. Yes, no?
ReplyDeleteThe mosaic and the sanctum and the carvings are beautiful. The cave looks a little frightening.
ReplyDeletebadhiya
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Never heard about it before.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
Rajesh, beautiful temple and carvings. Your photos are wonderful. have a great week!
ReplyDeleteinformative post...
ReplyDeleteGreat photos.
ReplyDeleteMy Blue Monday.
What a fascinating place!! Great captures as always, Rajesh! Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteAnother great tour!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like an interesting cave to explore.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this pictures. At least I have seen this place!
ReplyDeleteThrough your lens I get a view of India that is unique.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such history and fantastic photos ! (A Creative Harbor) ^_^
ReplyDeleteExcelentes fotografias de valioso Património....
ReplyDeleteCumprimentos
All India's temples fascinate me, from the simple to the elaborate. I just don't have enough years left to see them all. I'm afraid I'm running out of steam - and funds, Rajesh. Home to
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco in two weeks.
My RT2 is at:
http://rnsane.blogspot.in/2012/10/ruby-tuesday-2-pause-that-refreshes.html
Yes, it's really like these robust spectacular square columns.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful clicks!
ReplyDeleteMy Ruby.
That is a lovely carving!
ReplyDeleteInteresting and nice photos!
ReplyDeleteA great post for Ruby Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteespecially like the LONG shot
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
It looked huge and amazing.Your kids must have a great time there.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics! Happy RT2.
ReplyDeleteMine's here.
beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNever heard about this wonderful place. Cant imagine a temple without the carvings!!! Very unique place for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed different but no less historic - nice shots!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting cave.
ReplyDeleteRose, ABC Wednesday Team
A nice share! The photo is very interesting. Thanks for the share.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of pataleshwar mahadev temple in another part of India too...this one seems to be very interesting!!
ReplyDeletehttp://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
It's good to see pillars that look 'asian.'
ReplyDeleteQuite austere compared to previous structures you have shown but it has its own charm.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for appreciating this cave temple.
ReplyDeleteHi Rajesh, I like the photo of the corridor showing the ruggedness of the stone. I'm wondering if this leads underground or if it is just the excavated part as seen?
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting place! Will visit soon :)
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the Nandi temple at malleshwaram.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and it is so nice to know about the place.
ReplyDeleteLovely captures! Interesting cave...
ReplyDeleteSuch a Lovely Place it is... :D
ReplyDeleteloved the Architecture.. :D
Beautiful clicks.
ReplyDeleteSuch a valuable information to me. I didn't know it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very such for sharing. You should post such informative info..:-)
You have wonderful collection of such articles..
ReplyDeleteGreat pics really!
ReplyDelete