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Journalism of Courage
As the word patal itself suggests, the Pataleshvara cave temple lies below the lithosphere! These are rock caves hewn under the ground, in existence on the Jangli Maharaj Road for centuries, adjoining the famous Jangli Maharaj temple.
The signboard at the gate mentions a significant snippet on the history of the caves. 8220;The Pataleshvara cave temple, also known as Panchaleshwara or Bamburde, is a rock-cut excavation of the Rashtrakuta period 8th to 9th Century AD. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The central shrine houses a linga and there are two smaller cells on either side. In front of the cave is a circular Nandi mandapa. Massive square plain pillars support the umbrella canopy of the mandapa.8221;
Besides the devotees, who come to offer prayers on Mondays and Thursdays, the site today is a favourite haunt of students, who can study in the shade in peace and quiet, or in the cool interior of the caves or in the garden around it. The garden probably possesses one of the largest banyan trees in the city, providing considerable shade to strollers.
The worshippers pay obeisance inside the caves, where a beautiful temple stands in the talghar, where they can spend some moments in meditation too. A nice fragrance surrounds the area, courtesy the burning incense sticks.
Open to the public from 5 am to 10 pm, the caves are safe to visit even during the monsoons. A former open well, which stored rain water, was closed following suicides by children who had failed their examinations. The well was covered with a slab and a drainage system to drain off the rain water.
In all, the Pataleshvara cave temple is a remarkable place right in the heart of the city, serving twin purposes of worship and pleasure.
