Pataleshwar Caves

Pataleshwar Caves has a long history dating back to the 8th century AD. Situated just across the river on the Jungli Maharaj Road, the cave temple bears resemblance with the rock-cut temples of Ellora. Made out of a single hard rock, the temple has its main deity as Pataleshwar. The rock-cut cave temple was carved out in the 8th century AD, during the Rashtrakuta Period.

Made of basalt rock, the cave temple is believed to have been cut out from a single rock. Presence of a cave in the vicinity of the temple has got it the name 'Pataleshwar Cave Temple'. A linga, the symbol of Shiva, is housed in the sanctum, which is a cube-shaped room about 3 to 4 metres high. On each side of the sanctum, two smaller cells are present.

A circular Nandi Mandapa, with its umbrella shaped canopy supported by square pillars, is located in front of the cave. Due to a fault line found at the back of the sanctum sanctorum, which made additional sculpting unsafe, the temple was left incomplete. Outside the basalt entryway, a brass temple bell hangs. In the principle worship area, sculptures of Sita, Rama, Laxman and a host of other Hindu Gods and Goddesses are located.

Near the temple lies a museum that is enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records. A grain of rice that has around 5,000 characters inscribed on it is the prominent highlight of the museum. Adjacent to the temple is a temple dedicated to a Hindu ascetic.
    
Timing:   8 am – 5:30 pm