The temple is built on the principles of Hindu Temple

planning the Pataleshwar temple design follows a

geometrical design called vastu-purusha-mandala. The name
is a composite Sanskrit word with three of the most important
components of the plan. Mandala means circle,Purusha is
universal essence at the core of Hindu tradition, while
Vastumeans the dwelling structure. Vastupurushamandala is
a yantra. The design lays out a temple in a symmetrical, selfrepeating structure derived from central beliefs, myths,
cardinality and mathematical principles.
The four cardinal directions help create the axis of a temple,
around which is formed a square in the space available The
symmetric Vastu-purusa-mandala grids are combined to form
a temple superstructure with two or more attached squares.
The Pataleshwar Caves is dedicated to Lord Pataleshwar- the
God of Underwater and Lord Shiva. It was constructed in 8th
century and many of its stones date back to 700 to 800 AD.
These temples are considered to be a part of the protected
monuments category of Pune. The temple is located across
the river in Shivaji nagar on Jangali Maharaj Road,Pune.The
temple hence offers a peaceful and delightful historic as well
as educational experience to all its visitors.

MAP OF PATALESHWAR CAVES,PUNE

03.ABHISHEK AGRAWAL 13.MANAS CHORDIYA 19.RAJDEEP DESHPANDE

30.YASH JAIN 80.CHAITANYA WAGHMARE

3D VIEW OF THE COLUMN

03.ABHISHEK AGRAWAL 13.MANAS CHORDIYA 19.RAJDEEP DESHPANDE

30.YASH JAIN 80.CHAITANYA WAGHMARE

The sanctum, a cube-shaped room about 3

to 4 metres on each side - houses a lingathe symbol of Shiva and there are two
smaller cells on each side. In front of the
cave is a circular Nandi mandapa, its
umbrella shaped canopy supported by
massive square pillars. This mandapa is one
of the peculiar structures of Pataleshwar.

3D VIEW OF PATALESHWAR CAVES

The temple was left incomplete, possibly

because of a fault line found at the back of
the sanctum or so called garbagriha-the
core part of a temple, which made the
further sculpting unsafe, or political
upheaval resulting in loss of patronage. A
brass temple bell hangs outside the basalt
entryway.
Recently,some pillars of the circular
mandapa are reinforced with steel for

VIEW OF NANDI INSIDE CIRCULAR

MANDAPA

NANDI FACING THE SHIVA LINGA INSIDE

THE TEMPLE

03.ABHISHEK AGRAWAL 13.MANAS CHORDIYA 19.RAJDEEP DESHPANDE

30.YASH JAIN 80.CHAITANYA WAGHMARE