Me Sahyadri Nov2015

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. This photoessay covers only a part of the complex. The entire temple complex is covered in four separate photoessays. This is the fourth photoessay of the series and covers the main temple of Pateshwar.

There is a small village called as Degaon on the south east of Satara. The village is located at about 10 km from Satara City Bus stand. On the south of the village the Pateshwar temple complex is located on a hill at about 4 km. There is a small serpentine road which reached the top of the hill. Half an hour walk from the point where the road ends, takes you to the temple complex. On the way from Degaon towards main temple, there is rock cut Ganesh sculpture. There is Ridhi and Sidhi sculpture on either side of Ganesh.

In the map above the overall details of some important temples of the temple complex are shown. The map is not complete and do not have few temples which are scattered over the hill. The map will be updated further in future. The more detailed maps of caves and varhad temple are available in other Pateshwar photo essays .

The main temple is located near the top of the hill and is fortified by wall. It has 2 entrances. The main entrance is located on north while the other small entrance is located on eastern side. The temple is east facing temple. On the lower level on the north of the temple there is a small water tank, “Pushkarni”. The Pushkarni itself has a small cave. The steps take you from Pushkarni to the main temple. Outside the main temple there is a verandha. In this verandah and on the plinth outside there are few sculptures. The second largest Shiva Pindi seen of this complex is located in the verandah of the temple. Refer map. The Hanuman sculpture is also located in one of the enclosures of verandah. On the outer plinth under the ficus tree there is Shiva pindi and a sculpture of Garuda.

Behind the Garuda sculpture under the ficus tree, there is another small temple, which house Shiva Pindi.

The main temple is fortified. The main temple inside the walls, is surrounded by three small temples, two large lamp posts and a beautiful nandi mandap. The three small temples in the main temple complex have Bhairav-Bhairavi, Brahmadev and Mahishasurmardini deities.

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The interior of the temple is simple. It has a ShivaPindi in the main garbhagriha. There is a sculpture of Saraswati behind the ShivaPindi. The sculpture has Akshamala, Pash, Veena and book in her four hands. The mount Swan is also shown on the side.

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पाटेश्वर मंदिर समुहात येथे असलेल्या निसर्गात व शांततेत देव दिसतो. इथे येणारा प्रत्येक वाटसरुला याचा विसर पडणार नाही.