Pataleshwar Caves

You wouldn't think it possible to find a quiet, oasis of calm in the heart of Pune, but that’s just what a friend and I discover at the Pataleshwar Caves, located along the busy JM Road.

A small, insignificant gate leads the way in, and a smaller, obscured-by-plants board assures us that we are at the right place. We find ourselves facing a large, open space, in the centre of which stands a huge Banyan tree creating a beautiful green canopy above us.

Further along, the path takes us to the site of the caves, sunk a few feet below where we stand. Wide, gently sloping stone steps take us down to a circular, pillared Nandi mandapa carved entirely from stone.

  

Another stone-carved Nandi sits forlornly in a corner, while a shrine occupies space under a Peepal Tree, atop a platform built around it. 

 

The Nandi mandapa faces the 8^th century, rock-cut Pataleshwar cave temple, which by its name, indicates that it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. We take off our shoes and enter a pillared sabha mandap or hall.

In the inner sanctum sanctorum we find a Shivling, with a gilded snake’s hood rising over it. Another stone Nandi mutely faces this.

The outer hall contains other deities, of which I recognize Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita. Among this profusion of Hindu gods, I find the time to send a quick prayer to my own God, to watch over my shoes and keep them from getting stolen.

The caves extend on either side of the inner sanctum, and circle back to connect through a passageway behind it. This passage is pitch-black, but we capture some great silhouettes where the light finally shines through!

 

The caves at the back are incomplete and not properly carved, hinting that the caves may have been left incomplete for whatever reasons.

The Archeological Society of India, which maintains the caves and grounds, does not provide any information about the caves, so we’re in the dark about its history. But the Pataleshwar Cave Temple does afford a glimpse into the architectural genius of a bygone era and the religious sentiment of people today, who continue to worship here.

We step out of the gates, and are swallowed by the busy crowd that walks and drives past these caves, perhaps completely unaware of its existence.

The Exception

"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up: If a guy punches you, he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs. And, someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, every story we're told, implores us to wait for it...the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule.

But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending, we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell the ones who want us from the ones who don't, the ones who'll stay and the ones who'll leave.

And maybe this happy ending doesn't include a wonderful guy. Maybe it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over. Freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is just moving on.

Or maybe the happy ending is this: Knowing that through all the unreturned phone calls and broken hearts, through all the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment...you never, ever, gave up hope."

- Gigi, He's Just Not That Into You

The Bangalore Break

So I finally did it. I ran.

Or rather, I flew - Out of the city and beyond the state border, to another place I love, for the weekend.

Bangalore was perfect, with a hint of rain, the right amount of sun and a nip in the air. Add to that, a dear friend, three merry cousins, endless chatter and a lot of amazing food that I didn't have to cook! Of course, the crowning factor was having the 'me-time' that I have lately been deprived of, and that much-needed break from endless, exhausting routine.

Perfect, simply perfect.

So here's a glimpse of some happy moments from my 'run-away' weekend.

And what did I do in Bangalore, for this weekend to be so awesome, you ask?

Hmm. Apart from getting reacquainted with my sanity and good humour, absolutely, blissfully, nothing! :)

The Other Side of This Life

"It's all about lines...

At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don't keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That's how we're made. So, you can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them. But there are some lines that are way too dangerous to cross...

Here's what I know.

If you're willing to throw caution to the wind and take a chance, the view from the other side...is spectacular."

- Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy, S1E2

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Again, a song. Thirteen Senses, Into the Fire.