Pataleshwar cave

About Pataleshwar cave

The cave temple also comprises of a shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The rocks of the cave, cut into pillars, seating areas and akin rooms, are as old as 700-800 AD. The Shiva lingam is situated in a cube-shaped room, located in the middle of the Pataleshwar Temple of Puna, India. Adorned with ornate carvings, the temple also houses the idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Laxmana, Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi. The brass bell hanging outside the basalt entryway of the temple adds to its magnificence.

History

Pataleshwar Cave Temple, dedicated to Lord Pataleshwar - God of the Underworld, built in 8th century temple is located in the heart of the city at Shivaji Nagar at Jangali Maharaj Road . It is a perfect example of rock-cut architecture. This wonderful temple resembles the grand rock temple at Elephanta but unfortunately was never completed.

The sculpture of the Pataleshwar cave temple in Pune, which, although mesmerizing, is incomplete. Although we find an elaborate design in the main worship area, other parts of the rock temple is devoid of much beautification. The sculpture in the principle worship area include beautiful statues of Sita, Rama, Laxman and a host of other Hindu Gods and Goddesses located in the cube-shaped room at the heart of the temple.

Interesting things to do

Bund Garden:
It lies on the banks of Mula Mutha River. Bund Garden in Pune has a jogging park and boating facilities.

The Osho international commune:
It is open to public in mornings and evenings. The commune that was founded by Osho Rajneesh attracts thousands of foreigners wishing to take part in the meditation course organized by the ashram. Aga Khan Palace is proud building with Italianate arches and spacious lawns.This beautiful campus is situated in the pleasant residential area of Koregaon Park, Pune, around fifteen minutes by air from Mumbai. This lush contemporary 40-acre meditation resort is a tropical oasis where nature and the 21st Century blend seamlessly, both within and without. With its white marble pathways, elegant black buildings, abundant foliage and Olympic-sized swimming pool, it is the perfect setting to take time out for yourself.

Interesting things to Visit

The Sarasbaug temple:
It houses the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak (God who makes wishes true). A sacred ground of faith for millions of devotees in Pune and around the world, on an average the Sarasbaug temple receives ten thousand visitors a day and this figure goes upto eighty thousand devotees per day on Ganesha Chaturthi and other special occasions. Various dignitaries and luminaries throughtout India have made it a point to visit this sacred temple to seek blessings of Shri Siddivinayak.

Shaniwarwada:
It was the stately mansion originally built as the residence of the Peshwas. The foundation of the mansion was laid by Bajirao 1 in the year 1730 AD and construction was completed in 1732 AD at a cost of Rs. 16,120. Several additions were made to the palace like fortification walls with bastions, gates and court halls by his successors.

Lal Deval synagogue:
It is located on Moledina road. This red brick and stone structure is built in English Gothic style resembles a church. This building was built in 1867 by philanthropist David Sasson.

Mahatma Phule Wada:
The Wada was the residence of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and is as old as 1852. It is in Ganj Peth, which is a few kms away from Pune station. Mahatma Phule used to live here with his wife.The house was converted to a museum with photographs of Mahatma Phule with his wife. Inside the wada is a well and it is known that he had opened the well to the backward classes so that they could easily fill drinking water from it.

Katraj Snake Park:
Located in Katraj, this snake park is home to a number of snakes and other reptiles like crocodiles. One can see Snakes of diferent shapes and sizes in the park. Information about snakes with pictures is displayed in a library within the park. A zoo has also been recently added, making it an attractive tourist place, especially for children.

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

1.Maharashtra Medical Foundation Josh Hospital,Shivaji Nagar, Opposite Kamla Nehru Park
2.Manorama Ogale Memorial Hospital,Shivaji Nagar

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Location info

• **Address:**Pune,Maharashtra,India.

• District: Shivajinagar

• Nearest City: Pune

• **Best time to visit:**October to March

Climate & weather

Pleasant and equable climate through out the year.

How to reach Pataleshwar cave

• Nearest Railway Station: Pune is an important railway junction in Indian railway. Good rail networks connect Pune with all other rail junctions in India.

• Nearest Airport: Pune airport is located about 10 km away from the heart of the city.

Road Transport: Pune is well connected with many of the major cities in Maharashtra by state owned bus services. Private luxury deluxe buses are operated from Pune to many cities in India, including Goa, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

1.Hotel Nandavan,10 km from Pune Domestic Airport; 4 km from Pune Railway Station; 1 km from Shivajinagar Bus Stand.
2.Hotel Ashirwad,7 km from Lohegaon Airport; 1/2 km from Pune Railway Station; 1/2 km from Pune Bus Stand.
3.Hotel Gauri,20 km from Pune Domestic Airport; 15 km from Pune Railway Station; 12 km from Shivajinagar Bus Stand.

Nearest visiting places

1.Aga Khan’s Palace,Pune
2.Parvati Hill and Temple,Pune
3.Shinde’s Chhatri,Pune
4.Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum,Pune
5.Katraj Snake Park,Pune
6.Peshwe Udyan Zoo,Pune
7.Vishram Baug,Pune
8.Saras Baug,Pune
9.Mahatma Phule Museum,Pune
10.Splash Mountain Water Park,Pune
11.Appu Ghar,Pune
12.Omkareshwar Temple,Pune

Best time to visit Pataleshwar cave

October to March: comfortable temperatures for exploring. Caves provide natural shelter from heat.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Closed on Mondays at some sites.

Entry fee & tickets

INR 25–40 for Indian nationals, INR 300–600 for foreign nationals. Free for children under 15.

Duration needed

1–2 hours for a group of caves. Ajanta and Ellora each require half a day to a full day.

Safety tips

Carry a torch/flashlight — interior areas may be dimly lit. Watch your step on uneven stone floors. Do not touch the paintings or carvings — oils from fingers can damage them. Photography rules vary by cave.

Things to carry

Torch/flashlight, comfortable walking shoes, water bottle, camera (check photography policy), and a light jacket (caves are cooler inside).

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Aurangabad Airport (IXU) or Mumbai International Airport. Nearest railway station: Aurangabad, Lonavala, or nearest station. Accessible by road.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Maharashtrian cuisine — missal pav, vada pav, puran poli, and local thalis — is widely available.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Pataleshwar cave. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

What are the visiting hours? Caves are typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Some caves (like Ajanta) are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Are the caves well-lit inside? Major caves have lighting, but carrying a torch is recommended for exploring deeper chambers.

Can I take photographs? Photography is generally permitted without flash. Video cameras may incur an additional fee at some sites.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: November to February for pleasant weather
• Ideal duration: 1-3 hours for a thorough exploration
• Entry: Entry fee applicable (varies for Indian and foreign tourists)
• Guided tour: Available on request at the ticket counter
• Photography: Permitted in most areas; flash may be restricted

Visitor information

• Timings: Generally open from sunrise to sunset. Verify local timings before planning your visit.
• Entry fee: Entry fee applies as per Archaeological Survey of India rates. Check at the ticket counter for current charges.
• Best time to visit: October to March for the most comfortable weather conditions.
• Duration needed: 1 to 2 hours recommended for a comfortable visit.

Map & location view

• Destination: Pataleshwar cave
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: archeological region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Pataleshwar cave, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Pataleshwar cave

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Pataleshwar cave on popular travel photography sites and social media.