Pateshwar

Pateshwar temple: Built in the 18th century by Commander Angal. Cave origins unknown!

**Pateshwar Hill Highlights** Start your climb near an ancient Ganesh idol. **Vishveshwar Pond:** Spot a rare, one-legged Shiva sculpture on the wall. **Caves & Temples:** * **Margal Mhashi Cave:** Features a Shiv linga on a dead buffalo, possibly linked to the Mahishasur story. Contains six unique Shiv lings, plus five representing nature's elements (Earth, Water, Space, Fire, Wind). * **Pateshwar Temple:** Two unique Shiv lingas line the path: one with 68 surrounding lings, and another bearded/mustachioed linga with 71 surrounding lings. * **Balibhadra Temple Caves (5 caves):** Nearby Shiv ling features 10 carved shapes (Wheel, Heart, Circle, etc.)—8 for directions, 2 for sun/moon. * **Sculptures:** See Ashtamatruka, Dashavatara, Maheshwari, Sheshshahi Vishnu, Mahishasurmardini, Kartikeya, Chamunda, Navagrahas. * **Peculiar Sight: Agni-Vishnu:** A fusion of man and bull with seven hands. Seen from the front, it's bearded; from the side, it's Nandi (bull's face).**Inner Verandah (3 Caves):** * **Main Cave:** Features a Goddess Parvati sculpture on the east wall. Next to it are 972 Shiv lingas (representing 108 Goddess centers, worshipped 9 times each). * **South Wall:** Sculptures of Lord Vishnu (1000 lingas adjacent) and the Sun God (1000 lingas adjacent). * **Other Artifacts:** Sculptures of Bhalchandra, Shivaji, Lord Brahma; One, Four, and Thousand-faced Shiv lingas; and Kaalsarpa. A faint Devnagari/Sanskrit scripture is also present.