Pandavleni Caves

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Pandavleni Caves are a group of around twenty four 2000-year-old Hinayana Buddhist caves, built by the Jain kings as home for the Jain saints.[1] This holy site is located 8 km south of Nashik in the Nashik district in Maharashtra state of central India.

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[edit] Caves

The caves were excavated in the 1rst and 2nd century as abodes for the idols of the Jain kings. The caves lodge idols of Buddha and Bodhisatva and the icons of Jain Teerthankara Vrishabhdeo, Veer Manibhadraji and Ambikadevi.The caves are located high in the mountains of Pandavleni and hence the name. Some caves are intricately connected by stone-cut ladders that join them to the other caves. Steps lead to the caves from the bottom of the hill. The peak of the Pandavleni is also accessible by trekking of about 20 mins but the path is treacherous and dangerous.[2]

Some of the caves are large and served as a vihara or monastery for the disciples to meet and hear sermons. They contain interesting sculptures. One of the vihara caves is older and finer in sculptural detail and is thought to be nearly as old as the Karla Cave near Lonavala. Another cave is a Chaitya and is similar in age to the Karla Cave and has a particularly elaborate facade.

The site has an excellent water management system and skillfully chiseled out of solid rock are several attractive water tanks.[3]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Pandavleni caves. Friendship india. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
  2. ^ Pandavleni Caves. showcaves.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
  3. ^ Pandavleni Caves. india9. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.

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