Me Sahyadri 092015

Western ghats, or Sahyadri as we all call it as, is a treasure trove of spectacular landscapes, biodiversity, flora, fauna, some amazing geological wonders and manmade monuments. With the increasing pressure from human encroachment, all these elements are under stress and in turn are under depletion. Western ghats should be left untouched by human beings, to protect their future generations from getting short of resources, such as water, energy and clean air. The important elements of western ghats, which need protection are highlighted in the new version of Photo journal , Me Sahyadri Magazine. The various issues of journal have a brief of inspiring subjects such as birds, mammals, forts, ancient caves, snakes and the ambiance.

Pateshwar or Patheshwar is a small temple complex located on a hill near Satara, Maharashtra. The temple complex consists of three zones. The old Shiva temple complex, rock cut caves and temples around caves and the main Shiva temple. Located high on the hill the most magnificence of the place is in the tranquility here with many interesting shiva linga and the other sculptures. The previous photoessay in last month covered the main chamber of the old shiva temple complex. This photoessay covers remaining part of the old shiva temple complex. The entire temple complex will be covered in four separate photoessays. This is the second photoessay of the series.

The old shiva temple complex which face the north west direction, is located on the eastern end of the temple complex. The temple is made in a natural crevice of the hill. The back side of the temple is a natural rock while the front is constructed out of basalt rock. So the temple is partially cave type and partially constructed. There are 3 chambers in this temple with a common verandah or antarala. Antarala is open to sky. There is a intricately carved nandi, housed in the entrance mandapam. There is a partially collapsed lamp post (Dipastambh) and additional nandi at the entrance of the temple.

In right chamber there is a cave like structure. The chamber is divided in to two parts. Each section has two large Shiva Pindi. The cave walls are carved with few sculptures. There are total nice shiva pindi and seven sculptures or carvings.

In this photoessay only the side chambers (left and right) as shown in map is covered. In the map above, 1 to 30 numbers indicate various shiva pind. S1 to S15 indicate various sculptures and carvings. P1 to P3 indicate the sahasra pind rectangular panels.

There are many rough carvings in this cave temple. Carvings of standing nandi, Ganesha, Fish, Shiva Pindi, Sarpadevataa are very rough but enchanting. There is dark in these caves and one should go there with good torch, to get the feel of the carvings and large shiva pindi.

The right section of this cave has two large shiva pindi. The immediate pindi from the entrance has mutiple pindi engraved. The left section has two large shiva pindi, out of which the innermost is multiple engraved shiva pindi.

The left chamber (located towards east of antarala) is a small chamber . It has nine shiva pindi, few of which are intricately carved with flower like symbols.