Parvati Hill Cave

Parvati Hill Cave DesiBoy101 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Parvati Hill is an iconic landmark in Pune due to its historical importance and legacy. On the hill is the famous Parvati Temple which was built by the Peshwa dynasty. The Peshwa museum, which showcases the artwork, weaponry, and costumes of the Peshwa era, is also located there.

Along the walking trail on the southeastern slope of the hill, there is an old rock-cut cave. It is believed to be a contemporary of the Pataleshwar Caves. These structures are said to have been built around the 8th century.

The rock-cut facade of the cave has three entrances. On the inside, the cave chamber is supported by thick pillars. The inner wall has three arched alcoves. From the ceiling, tiny stalactites hang in clusters.

Pune has a number of similar rock-cut caves and since all of these have been built long back, these grottos have immense heritage value. This is a fantastic spot to explore during a trek to the hill in the center of the city.

Know Before You Go

There are stairs leading to the top of Parvati Hill. At the top, just before the entrance to the temple complex, there is a pathway on the left which leads to a walking trail. This trail slopes down along the southeastern side of the hill. This cave is located along this trail.

The inside of the cave is filled with water so caution is advised for personal safety. View the cave from a safe distance.