I first went to Pataleshwar when I was much younger; not young enough to not resist the idea. I was more or less coerced by my mother and cousin. It had been a ‘ladies weekend’ and we (read: them) decided to top-it off with impulsive sojourns around Pune city. Pataleshwar was one. It sounded very religious and a lesson-in-history-in-the-making for my rebelling atheist sentiments. ‘Have a little faith’, said my mother. And so I went along.

Sited at the beginning of Jangli Maharaj Road, on the Ganeshkhind side, Pataleshwar can be found only by those who know its existence. Which is quite unfortunate as I discovered, much to my pleasant surprise, when I got there.

Tucked away, on the main road, Pataleshwar is a welcome oasis of serenity and solitude in the chaos that is so characteristic of Pune today. The stillness seeks you out and settles upon you the moment you step inside its humble gates. The roar of traffic is left a few metres behind; the smoke and dust, already forgotten. It is a respite, albeit temporary.

An insignificantly-small, likely-to-miss, Archaeological Society of India sign greets me, asking to preserve India’s historical monument. And the cynic in me thinks, ‘Right, I’m going to see chalky hearts and public love declarations anyway’.

The love was there, but in the way the place is maintained. Clean, green, cool, inviting. Just what one needs on a hot summer day. I was sold.

Leaving my mother and cousin behind, I loped ahead. Pataleshwar is beautiful. Not the finest in stone architecture or walls covered with splendid carvings and motifs. But what Pataleshwar offers is simplicity.

Whether it’s Nandi’s (Shiva’s vehicle and gatekeeper) Mandap – circular temple carved from sheer rock with its pleasant interiors, or even Shiva’s abode with its hushed silences. As temples go, Pataleshwar is very subdued. A sanctuary. Suddenly I was alone among people. Accepted among strangers. Even my thoughts were whispers in my minds.

I last went to Pataleshwar just yesterday. To still the clamour in my mind and to quiet my thoughts. I felt the familiar tug of the place when I stepped in. And I knew I would find peace. As I did that day, many years ago. It’s just a question of faith