Me Sahyadri October 2015

Me Sahyadri - October 2015

/ Sahyadri Geographic by Vivek Kale

Me Sahyadri

Shiva Temple on the hill - Part 3

October 2015

Volume 2, number 10

Please use minimum 1280 pixel horizontal screen resolution for viewing. Please be patient while all the images in webpage are loaded. Please do not use the images for any commercial use without permission. Text in Marathi and English is not exact translation. Please give sufficient time to allow the photographs to load. Special thanks to Mr. Balasaheb Yelwande and Mr. Amey Joshi for very good assistance while making images, and to all those who helped me during the compilation and field work for the help and guidance.

सह्याद्री (पश्चिम घाट) हा एक नैसर्गिक संपदेचा, वैविध्यतेचा, भौगोलिक व ऐतिहासिक ठेवा आहे. वाढत्या मानवी अतिक्रमणाचा, सह्याद्रीच्या विविध घटकांवर होणारा दुष्परिणाम भविष्यात आपल्यालाच धोका निर्माण करेल, यात शंका नाही. शुद्ध पाणी, हवा व उर्जा, भावी पिढीला मिळण्यासाठी, नंद्यांचे उगम असलेला सह्याद्री व त्याभागातील जंगले टिकवणे महत्वाचे आहे. सह्याद्रीच्या महत्वाच्या घटकांचे महत्व छायाचित्रांद्वारे प्रकट करण्याचा मी येथे प्रयत्न केला आहे. येथील पक्षी, प्राणी, वनस्पती, अधिवास, किल्ले व लेणी अशा विविध विषयांबद्दल आपण समजुन घेऊ.

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.

Me Sahyadri – October 2015 - Shiva temple on the hill - Part 3

पाटेश्वर/पाठेश्वर मंदिर समुह साताऱ्याच्या पुर्वेस डोंगरावर आहे. या समुहात प्रामुख्याने, माथ्यावरचे मुख्य देऊळ, पुर्वेकडचे वऱ्हाडाचे देऊळ आणी या दोन्ही मध्ये असलेला लेणी समुह हे तीन भाग आहेत. डोंगराच्या माथ्यावर असलेल्या या सुंदर मंदिरसमुहाचे वैशिष्ट्य येथील असंख्य शिव पिंडी, आणी येथील शांतता आहे. या चित्रनिबंधात दोन मुख्य मंदिरांच्या दरम्यान असलेल्या लेणीसमुहाबद्दल व लहान मंदिरांबद्दल माहिती व प्रकाशचित्रे मांडली आहेत. संपुर्ण मंदिरावर आधारीत असलेल्या चार चित्रनिबंधातील हा तिसरा चित्रनिबंध आहे.

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. This photoessay covers only a part of the complex. The entire temple complex will be covered in four separate photoessays. This is the third photoessay of the series and covers the cave complex between two main temples of Pateshwar and surrounding small temples around these caves.

Small shiva temple (Temple 1 in main map) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

वऱ्हाडघर मंदिरापासुन मुख्य पाटेश्वराच्या मंदिराकडे येणाऱ्या वाटेवर काही लहान देवळे व लेणी आहेत. यातल्या पहिल्या देवळात शंकराची पिंड आहे. देवळाच्या द्वारावर भिंतीवर एक चिन्ह कोरलेले आहे. तीन पानासारखे दिसणारे हे चिन्ह अनोखे आहे.

On the way from Varhad Temple towards main temple, there are few small temples and caves. The first temple on this trail is dedicated to lord shiva. There is a shiva pindi in the temple. the temple has different symbol at the top of the eentrance. It looks like three leaves symbol.

Map of Cave complex, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India, In this map the overall complex of Pateshwar is shown with location of main temples and caves.

Map of Cave complex, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India, Map of Cave complex, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India, In this map the cave complex of Pateshwar is shown with location of temples and caves. (32-42 are the Shiva Pindi, S16 to S23 are various sculptures.

Chamunda deity, Small Chamunda temple (Temple 2 in main map) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

या वाटेवर पुढे एक लहान देवळी आहे. यात चामुंडा देवीच्या दोन मुर्ती आहेत. यातील एक मुर्ती सोम्य तर दुसरी रुद्र आहे. पोटावर विंचु दर्शविलेला आहे. पायाखाली राक्षस आहे.

Further on the trail there is a chamunda temple. This is a small open temple. There are two sculptures of Chamunda deity . One of the sculptures show typical features of Chamunda including scorpion on the belly, and demon under her feet.

Chamunda deity, Small Chamunda temple (Temple 2 in main map) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Agnivrish (nandi) temple (Temple 3 - S16 in main map ) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

वाटेवरच्या तिसऱ्या देवळात अग्निवृश (नंदी) आहे. या मंदिरात याव्यतिरिक्त ब्रह्माणी, वैष्णवी व महेश्वरी या शक्तीरुपी मातृकांची शिल्प आहेत. या मंदिराचे छत फांसना पद्धतीचे आहे. बाहेरच्या बाजुस हनुमानाचे शिल्प आहे. हे मंदिर आतुन लेण्यासारखे व बाहेरुन बांधीव आहे.

The temple 3 which is close to the cave complex is a relatively large temple, built with fansana type roof. The temple is cave like from inside. In the temple there is asculpture of Nandi, called as Agnivrish. There is Hanuman sculpture in the rock on the outer wall.

Agnivrish, Agnivrish (nandi) temple (Temple 3 - S16 in main map ) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Goddess Brahmini, Vaishnavi, and Maheshwari, (left sculpture from left to right). Goddess Maheshwari, Vaishnavi and Brahmani (right sculpture from left to right), Agnivrish (nandi) temple (Temple 3 - S17 in main map ) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

या देवळात ब्रह्माणी, वैष्णवी व महेश्वरी या शक्तीरुपी मातृकांची दोन शिल्प आहेत. डावी कडच्या शिल्पात ब्रह्माणी, वैष्णवी व महेश्वरी त्यांच्या वाहनांबरोबर दर्शविल्या आहेत. तर उजव्या शिल्पात, हा क्रम उलटा आहे. ब्रह्माणी चे वाहन हंस, वैष्णवीचे वाहन गरुड्मानव, व महेश्वरीचे वाहन नंदी दोन्ही शिल्पात दर्शविलेले आहे.

In the Temple 3 there are two sculptures other than that of Agnivrish, Both the sculptures are of Brahmini, Vaishanvi and Maheshwari Deities, three deities from Saptamatrika deities. Both the sculptures are distinct and show the mounts (vahanas) of the deities. The mount (vahana) of Brahamini is Rajhansa(Swan). The mount o f Vaishnavi is Garuda. The mount of Maheshwari is Nandi.

Goddess Brahmini, Vaishnavi, and Maheshwari, (left sculpture from left to right).Agnivrish (nandi) temple (Temple 3 - S17A in main map ) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

ब्रह्माणी चे वाहन हंस, वैष्णवीचे वाहन गरुड्मानव, व महेश्वरीचे वाहन नंदी दोन्ही शिल्पात दर्शविलेले आहे.

The mount (vahana) of Brahamini is Rajhansa(Swan). The mount o f Vaishnavi is Garuda. The mount of Maheshwari is Nandi.

Goddess Maheshwari, Vaishnavi and Brahmani (right sculpture from left to right), Agnivrish (nandi) temple (Temple 3 - S17B in main map ) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

The mount (vahana) of Brahamini is Rajhansa(Swan). The mount o f Vaishnavi is Garuda. The mount of Maheshwari is Nandi.

Agnivrish (nandi) temple (Temple 3 - S16 in main map ) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Hanuman on the outer wall, Agnivrish (nandi) temple (Temple 3 - S18 in main map ) on the way from Varhad temple to main temple, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Shiva Pind, (Cave 1, Pindi 32, refer map) Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

अग्निवॄशाच्या मंदिरामागे, चार लेणी आहेत. यातील एक लेणे पश्चिमेभिमुख असुन इतर तीन लेणी उत्तरेभिमुख आहेत. लेण्यांच्या पश्चिमेस पाण्याचे टाके आहे. या लेण्या लेणी कुतुहुल जागृत करतात. पहिल्या पश्चिमेभिमुख लेण्यात एक भव्य शिव पिंड आहे. पिंडीच्या दक्षिणेस नवगृहांचा शिल्पपट आहे.

Behind the Agnivrish temple, there are four caves. One of the cave is west facing while other three caves are facing north. There is a water tank on west side of the caves. The caves are mystic and fascinating. In cave 1 which is west facing, there is a large Shiva Pind. On south side of the pind, there is a sculpture of NavGraha.

Navgraha Pat, (Cave 1, S18, refer map) , Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

पहिल्या पश्चिमेभिमुख लेण्यात शिव पिंडीच्या दक्षिणेस नवगृहपट आहे. पट दोन भागात आहे. पहिल्या पटात, डावीकडुन उजवीकडे सूर्य, चंद्र, मंगळ, बुध, गुरु यांची शिल्प आहेत. दुसऱ्या शिल्पात शुक्र, शनी, राहू व केतू यांची शिल्प आहेत. या सर्व गृहांच्या हातात विविध आयुध आहेत. सूर्याच्या हातात कमलकालिका आहेत. चंद्राच्या हातात अक्षमाला व कमंडलू आहे. मंगळाच्या हातात वज्र व अक्षमाला आहे. बुधाच्या हातात धनुष्य व बाण आहे. गुरुच्या हातात अक्षमाला व कमंडलू आहे. शुक्राच्या हातात अक्षमाला व कमंडलू आहे. शनीच्या हातात कमंडलू आहे.राहूचे शिल्प अर्धाकृती आहे. केतूच्या हातात शस्त्र आहे.

In cave 1, on south side of the Shiva Pind, there is a panel of sculptures. The panel has navagraha (nine planets) sculpture. The first panel on left has Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Magal (Mars), Budh(Mercury) and Guru (Jupiter) sculptures. The second panel on right has Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu sculptures. Sun has lotus in his hands. Chandra has kamandalu (water pot) in his hand. Mangal has vajra in his hand. While Budh has bow and arrow in his hands. Guru has Malaa and Kamandalu in hus hands. Guru has Malaa and Kamandalu in his hands. Shukra also has Malaa and Kamandalu in his hands. Shani has kamandalu in his hand. Rahu sculpture is semisculpture. Ketu sculpture has a small weapon in his hands with lower body like snake tail.

Shiva Pindi, (Cave 2 - 33,34,35, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

In cave 2 there are few small shiva pindi on east side and a water source on west side. This cave is very small in size.

Erosion, (Cave 2 refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Shiva Pindi, (Cave 3 - 36, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

तिसऱ्या लेण्यात एक अति भव्य शिवपिंड आहे. या लेण्यात विष्णुचा द्वादशपट आहे. येथे काही लहान शिव पिंडे व एक सुरसुंदरीचे शिल्प आहे.

In Cave 3, there is a large Shiva Pindi, few small shiva pindi and Vishnu Dwadash avatar sculptures apart from a Sursundari sculpture.

Shiva Pindi, (Cave 3 - 36, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Sur sundari, (Cave 3 - S22, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Matsya, Kurma, Varaah, 3 of 12 Avatars of Vishnu,,Dwadashpat, (Cave 3 - S20, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

तिसऱ्या लेण्यात विष्णुचे बारा अवतार कोरलेला पट आहे. य़ास द्वादशपट म्हणतात. यापटावर मत्स्य, कुर्म, वराह, नरसिंह, वामन, श्रीराम, परशुराम, बलराम, ऋशभ, कल्की (घोड़्यावर), श्रीकृष्णा व बुद्ध यांची शिल्पे आहेत.

There is a Dwadashpat, 12 avataars of lord Vishnu in cave 3. These include, Matsya, Kurma, Varaah, Narasimha, Waman, Sriraam, Parashuraam, Balaraam, Rushabh, Kalki on horse, Srikrishna and Budhaa.

Narasimha, Waman, Sriraam, 3 of 12 Avatars of Vishnu,, Dwadashpat, (Cave 3 - S21, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Parashuraam, Balaraam, Rushabh, 3 of 12 Avatars of Vishnu,Dwadashpat, (Cave 3 - S21, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Rushabh, Kalki on horse, Srikrishna and Budhaa. 4 of 12 Avatars of Vishnu,Dwadashpat, (Cave 3 - S21, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Varaha, Narasimha, Waman, Sriraam, Parashuraam, Balaraam, Rushabh, Kalki on horse, 8 of 12 Avatars of Vishnu,,Dwadashpat, (Cave 3 - S21, refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Jaalwatayan, Cave 3, Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

Rudraling, (Cave 4 - 42, and other pind 41 refer map), Pateshwar, western ghats, Maharashtra, India

चौथ्या लेण्यात दोन मध्यम आकाराची शिव पिंडे आहेत. य़ातील एकास रुद्रपिंड म्हणतात.

In Cave 4 there are 2 medium sized shiva pindi. One of it is called as Rudraling. Refer map and photograph for the details.

References :

Contact me at kale_v@rediffmail.com for any queries and suggestions.