Pataleshwar caves near Jungli Maharaj Temple on Jungli Maharaj Road in Pune in Maharashtra

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Wai (to read about it click on Wai) was one of our best road trips, and it was time that we head out for yet another memorable road trip. I asked Manohar if he could take time out from his busy schedule so that we could plan yet another trip. To which he readily agreed.

Pataleshwar caves

We planned to cover Pataleshwar Cave in Pune, Paladeo Temple located in the middle of River Bhima, Kugaon Killa, Akluj Fort, Piliv Fort, Dhotri Fort, Solapur Fort, Siddheshwar Temple and Lake and finally Naldurg Fort in Osmanabad in 3 to 4 days time. We were hoping to save on time as we were traveling by car. 

Statue of Nandi at Pataleshwar caves

As decided we met at Ghatkopar Railway station at 5:45 AM. As it was just the two of us, we headed off the Mumbai Pune Expressway to Pune. As the roads were empty, and due to Manohar driving skills we reached Pune at around 8:15 AM. From Ghatkopar Railway station to here it is roughly around 152 KM.  

At 8:15 AM we were greeted by the office going crowd. It was the rush hour. Thanks to the GPS and the one way roads, we were driving in circles. We finally asked a couple of locals who  informed us to take the right turns to reach the Pataleshwar Caves. 

Statue of Nandi at Pataleshwar caves

Pataleshwar Caves is tagged on Google Maps, but the one way roads in Pune adds to the misery. 

Pataleshwar Caves is located in the premises of the Jungli Maharaj Temple. There are two ways to enter the caves. One is from the temple and the other is from the road (Jungli Maharaj Road). We skipped the temple and headed to the caves directly. 

Pataleshwar caves

A little bit of history. The Pataleshwar Caves aka Leni are also called as Panchaleshvara or Bamburde Caves. The caves were built in the Rashtrakuta Period. Dating back to the 8th century. The temple is  made of basalt rock. Currently it is surrounded by lush green trees and a white colored building.  

As we entered the cave premises we saw a statue of Nandi. A little ahead is a circular shaped caves. It is supported by pillars. Inside it is another statue of Nandi which is worshiped by people. The face of Nandi  is towards the entrance of the Caves. 

Carvings on the walls of Pataleshwar caves

Another Caves is located on the side, though a small one, but nothing much to see in it. 

Inside the main Caves is a temple dedicated to Shiva. The pillars of the cave cum temple are in symmetry. It reminded me of the caves in Jogeshwari near Mahakali Caves in Mumbai. (to read click on Jogeshwari and Mahakali, highlighted in red) At both the extreme ends are huge carvings on the walls. 

Pataleshwar caves

There is a brass temple just near the Door to the (Linga) Shiva temple.   

There was hardly anyone in the caves premises.

Pataleshwar caves

I immediately started my photography sessions to capture details of the caves. It took us just 15 minutes to explore the caves in entirety.

Pataleshwar caves

It  was time for breakfast, outside the Jungli Maharaj Temple premises are located a couple of roadside eateries, we headed there to  have breakfast in the form of masala dosa and vada sambar, a common breakfast dish for the two of us. 

Pataleshwar caves

Our next pit stop is Palasdeo Temple in River Bhima.

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves near Khed ST bus stand in Khed in Maharashtra (India)

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves are located on a hillock very near to the Khed ST bus stand. The lane opposite the ST bus stand leads to the caves. There are no signboards near the caves, so one has ask people about the same.

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves

After visiting the Gandharpale Caves we headed over NH17 to reach Panhalekaji Caves near Dapoli. Just when we were about to reach Khed, Manohar spotted a signboard which read Khed Caves. I immediately started researching on the internet about the whereabouts and photos of these caves. Though these caves were not on our itinerary, they were now added to our itinerary.

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves

As not much information is available about the caves on the internet. We decided to ask a couple of locals about them. We approached a rickshaw driver and he gave us directions to the caves. He also informed us that they are neglected and that there is nothing much to see there. These caves are not tagged  on Google Maps.

Signboard

I finally managed to reach the caves. There are houses built all around the caves on the hillock. Something similar to Jogeshwari Caves in Mumbai. There are five caves here. There are neglected and not in good condition, there is dry grass growing all over them. The cave structure are similar looking to the ones at Gandharpale Caves. Though the first cave has got a gate and grills around it as there is a statue of Buddha in its premises.

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves with Buddha statue in its premises

The time on my watch was around 4 PM and we had still to cover Panhalekaji Caves and Unhavare Hot Water Springs near Dapoli. 

Jogeshwari Caves

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Mumbai, the fast-paced city of dreams, the financial capital of India and the political capital of Maharashtra, is also home to nine forts and four caves. This piece of news is something that most folks find hard to believe. It is still true though, and I can vouch for it as these pages will soon reveal.

This was my first urban trek so I asked Hitesh to accompany me. For those who came in late, Hitesh is an old friend of mine and an avid trekker. Those who have read my blog before will remember that he had joined me on my visit to Arnala Fort.

Temple in the Cave

Hitesh and I decided to visit these caves on his motorbike as we had more than one place on our agenda. We planned to pay a visit to Jogeshwari Caves, Mahakali Caves, Worli Fort, Mahim Fort and Bandra Fort, all in a single day.

Jogeshwari Caves are located in Jogeshwari in Mumbai. But, obviously. If you travel by train, Jogeshwari is the next railway station after Andheri on the Western line.

Cave premises

One can reach Jogeshwari Caves by boarding a rickshaw from Jogeshwari station on the east. Alternatively it can be reached from the Western Express Highway and the Jogeshwari Vikroli Link Road

These caves are very small and are surrounded by encroachments. Even on reaching the caves, you find yourself wondering, are these the caves? There are two temples in the caves which are currently in use.

Pillars carved in the rock surface, atop enroachments atop the Caves

It took us around 30 minutes to see the caves and to conduct a photo shoot. We saw a few students who had come there to study. A long time ago, monks used to meditate here and now students come here to study.  History certainly does repeat itself. It is only the characters that change.

A point to note here is that the caves are infested with bats, so one has to be careful not to disturb them.

Sculptures

After viewing these caves, we decided to head for Mahakali Caves, the next pit stop on our agenda.

Forts in Mumbai are Sewri Fort, Bandra Fort, Mahim Fort, Madh Fort. Sion Fort. Worli Fort. 

Caves in and around Mumbai are Mahakali Caves, Jogeshwari Caves, Mandapeshwar Caves, Kanheri Caves and Elephanta Caves