Pataleshwar Cave Temple
An 8th-century Rashtrakuta temple carved from a single basalt rock, in the middle of the city.
- Timings
- Around 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Monday)
- Entry fee
- Free
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Best time
- Any morning
About Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Cut from one piece of basalt in the 8th century, Pataleshwar sits improbably behind a busy road in the middle of Pune. The circular Nandi mandapa in front of the shrine is the architectural highlight — a rare form. The cave was never finished, which is visible in the unworked rock at the back. It stays cool inside even in May, and is one of the few genuinely quiet places in central Pune.
Insider tips
- Closed on Mondays — a common wasted trip
- Barely signposted from Jangli Maharaj Road; look for the gate beside the garden
- Pairs well with a coffee on JM Road afterwards
Pataleshwar Cave Temple — common questions
What are the Pataleshwar Cave Temple timings?
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Pataleshwar Cave Temple is open Around 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Monday).
What is the entry fee for Pataleshwar Cave Temple?
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Entry: Free.
How much time do you need at Pataleshwar Cave Temple?
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Plan for roughly 30 minutes.
What is the best time to visit Pataleshwar Cave Temple?
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Any morning.
How crowded does Pataleshwar Cave Temple get?
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Low crowd levels overall.
Nearby
More to see in Pune
Shaniwar Wada
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Aga Khan Palace
Where Gandhi, Kasturba and Mahadev Desai were interned during the Quit India movement.
Sinhagad Fort
A hill fort 35 km from the city, famous for Tanaji Malusare's night assault of 1670.
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple
Pune's most beloved Ganesh temple, founded by a sweet-seller who lost his son to plague.