Question 1

What makes Pataleshwar Cave Temple special?

Accepted Answer

Apart from having a high historical value, what makes Pataleshwar Cave Temple special is its glorious architecture with humongous pillars, a rice grain with 5000 characters written on it and various sculptures of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman carved in an ancient rock.  Additionally, the place is encapsulated with numerous passages, a Nandi mandap, and a Shivling. Various devotees of Lord Shiva visit the cave not just to explore but also to pray, making the cave temple popular among worshipers as well. The cave is also surrounded by lush green tropics and rivers behind it which the nature lovers find absolutely blissful.

Question 2

Is there any Museum at Pataleshwar Temple?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a museum at Pataleshwar Temple that holds various forms of articles including sculptures and artifacts. But what it's most famous for is an ancient grain of rice that has 5000 characters inscribed in it. People from across the globe visit the temple to catch a glimpse of this rice. The museum has also received a mention in the Guinness book of the world record for the same. If you visit Pune, the museum is a place you must not forget to explore.

Question 3

What is the Etymology of Pataleshwar Temple?

Accepted Answer

The name Pataleshwar can be broken down into "Patal" which means Underworld and "Ishwar" which translates to Lord. The Pataleshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Pataleshwar also called the lord of the underworld. It was created in the 8th century by operating on a single piece of a large rock. There are various legends on how it came into existence. One such story includes the myth that Pandavas created the temple when they were on the lookout for shelter.