GUNWANTI PARASTE

If you are an art and history lover, then Pataleshwar Cave temple of Pune is an ideal place for you to indulge yourself in observing ancient architecture. The ancient temple is situated in the centre of the city on Jangali Maharaj Road in Pune.
Jangali Maharaj Road is very famous and crowded place in Pune. This historic place has become a major attraction for the people who visit Pune. The Pataleshwar Cave temple is very calm and ancient place where you can spend peaceful time and observe the beautiful ancient architecture. The temple architecture, structure and design attracts people to spend a quality time here. This temple is famous for its 8th century structure built during the Rashtrakuta period. The temple is carved out beautifully using a single rock. The entire structure is carved out of black rock or basalt. The massive pillars inside add to the grandeur of the temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Nandi. The name Pataleshwar is one of the names of Lord Shiva, and means God of the underworld.
The temple which is now in the heart of the city was originally situated on the outskirts of the town. With the increasing urbanisation, the frontiers of the city expanded and thus today we have the Pataleshwar temple right in the centre of the city. It is hard to believe that a place like this is located on the Jangali Maharaj Road (JM Road) in Pune.
Tourists and pilgrims visit this religious and historic site throughout the year to witness its beautiful sculptures carved out of rock. Pataleshwar temple can easily be reached as it is located in the heart of the city.
It is said that, the black basalt rock was specially brought for the construction of this temple. The huge basalt rock was carved into enormous pillars, a giant circular stone, a statue of Nandi Bull and a Shivling.
Once you enter the temple 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 mount for Lord Shiva.
The visitors can see a huge statue of Nandi at the entrance of the temple. The massive square pillars of the Nandi Mandapa serves as a treat for ancient art lovers. This Mandapa is one of the peculiar structures of Pataleshwar temple.
The temple is also known as Panchaleshwara or Bamburde Temple. Interestingly, the cave temple bears striking resemblance to the massive rock-cut temples of Ellora near Aurangabad. Entirely carved out of the hard rock, Pataleshwar really looks like a different world altogether.
The temple was left incomplete, possibly because of a fault line found at the back of the sanctum sanctorum, which made the further sculpting unsafe or politically upheaval, resulting in the loss of patronage.
In front of this dome is the small cave where the Shivling is situated. Accompanying it are statues of Hindu deities including Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita in two smaller cells on each side.
Still in use, the Shivling is anointed with ghee and yogurt every day. A brass temple bell hangs outside the basalt entryway. The temple is crowded during the celebration of Mahashivratri. People also visit the temple during the Hindu calendar months of Shravan and Chaitra.
Besides the cave and the Nandi Mandapa, there is a lot of open space where tourists can sit, roam around, click pictures or simply relax beneath one of the old trees.