Maharashtra is a perfect blend of beauty, history, culture, and adventure, surrounded by the rugged Sahyadri Mountain Ranges, known to be the residence of monks and saints. The breathtaking scenery, gorgeous beaches, and some of India’s most attractive hill regions attract hundreds of tourists to this place every day. The land of the Marathas, Maharashtra, is surrounded by the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. But one of the most alluring and mysterious places in Maharashtra is the Rock Cut Cave Temple in Pune.
The Famous Rock Cut Cave Temple
Apart from the hill stations, beaches, and valleys, Maharashtra’s caves provide an amazing experience and are noted for their exceptional construction. The architecture of the Ajanta caves, the Ellora caves’ sculptures, or the spiritual essence of the Elephanta caves each carry an unmatched charm.
However, the one that stands out the most is the Rock Cut Cave Temple in Pune. It is designated as a protected monument by the Maharashtra government. Pune is home to several interesting ancient buildings. You can easily reach Pune from different places by availing of Mumbai to Pune cabs, making your travelling experience easy and convenient.
The History Behind the Cave
The cave temple had a bit of a turbulent backstory. Its construction had to be stopped in the middle due to uncertain reasons. It was either because of the existence of a faulty line discovered in the sanctum’s back section or due to political turbulence that ended in economic damage.
However, the glory of the temple remains unbeatable. The temple’s beauty and grandeur continue to amaze tourists, and many find the stories of the challenges faced during its fascinating construction mysteries.
Lord Shiva and Lord Pataleshwar’s Idols
Even if you have never enjoyed history lectures, this location will captivate you with every carving you see there. The Pataleshwar Cave temple is one of the oldest rock-cut cave temples situated on Jangli Maharaj Road in the Shivajinagar region of Pune. It is just 3 km from the Pune Junction.
The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and Lord Pataleshwar (God of the Underworld). Because the temple is located below ground level, the name “Pataleshwar” seems suitable. The cave temple of Pataleshwar is a magnificent piece of rock-cutout construction, which cannot go unnoticed by anyone. The whole temple is compose of a single block of stone and contains massive pillars, a Shiva shrine, and a Nandi bull.
The pillars are design to support the entire structure and are some of the most striking features of the temple. The exquisite symmetrical columns provide excellent aesthetics for photographers to capture. The atmosphere of the place will make it seem like you have been transport back in time to the eighth century when the caves were first construct.
Near the cave, there is a museum that has been include in the Guinness Book of World Records for having engravings of 5,000 characters created with a grain of rice. The palace is encircle by a tranquil garden with plenty of shady trees where visitors come to read or stroll peacefully. It is an enthralling sight to explore and immerse yourself in the history and architecture of over a thousand years old.
Maharashtra is a place where you can travel any time of the year, unlike other places. If you want to travel to this place from Mumbai, you can book a delightful Pune to Mumbai taxi and get start without any hassles.
