Travelgiri Blog

Many of the ancient rock-cut caves that were originally built by Buddhist as Viharas or Chaitys in several parts of Maharashtra, have turned into Hindu or Jain places of worship. According to archaeologists, these transformations had occurred later when Buddhism was on its way out of the Indian peninsula.

Caves obviously are as ancient as the hills. And in those ancient days, these were much favored by those ancient people as the ideal abode where they could be naturally protected against the elements as well as wild animals prowling on them. As days passed, they also learnt how to decorate these caves, as a result of which an art form known as “cave painting” came into existence. Karla caves, located near the picturesque hill resort of Lonavla in Maharashtra and not far from the metropolitan city of Pune are an example of how rock-cut mountain caves can be turned into natural shrines.

Centuries ago, most Buddhist cave temples consisting primarily of Viharas, Chaitys and Stupas were usually built on or near ancient trade routes connecting sea ports with the hinterland. This was done to ensure better communication for the Buddhist monks and disciples of Lord Buddha visiting the caves. Thanale caves located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra are no exception. These caves are located next to the now obliterated trade route that was used by inland travelers who came through the ancient Chaul Port.

Deep within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park on the western fringes of the metropolitan city of Mumbai in Maharashtra, there is a group of rock cut caves that is believed to be as old as the hills on which they stand. These caves were created by Buddhist followers. These are your Kanheri caves.

The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta stand witness to masterpieces of Buddhist religious art in India. However there are many other richly decorated caves that also tell us the story of a glorious past. The Aurangabad caves, tucked between the Satara and the Sihyachal hills in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra is one brilliant example of this. The Aurangabad caves are located close to the famed mausoleum Bibi ka Maqbara. These are clusters of rock-cut grottos turned into monuments. Thousands of tourists visit the Aurangabad caves. There are many researchers and students of Indian archaeology who visit the caves too.

Maharashtra today is not really remembered for its Buddhism. But the fact is that, what is today’s Maharashtra was once the seat of Buddhism in India. After Gautama Buddha’s death (483 BCE), his disciples were engaged in preaching Buddhism in many parts of India that included Vidarbha which has become a part of the present day Maharashtra. A group of Buddhist monks selected the Western Ghat Mountains and other secluded places in Maharashtra where they made their Chaitys and Viharas in rock-cut caves. These caves not only provided a safe haven for their monasteries but also offered the seclusion so very necessary in giving sermons to younger monks.

Located in the Junnar area of the Pune district in Maharashtra, the Lenyadri caves primarily consist of around 40 rock-cut Buddhist cave temples. It is believed that these temples were built between 1st and 3rd century AD. Out of these, there are 30 caves that face the south. These are the most popular ones for the tourists. Perched high on top of the southern part of the mountain range known as the Sulaiman Pahar or the Ganesh Pahar (after the Ganesh shrine installed in one of these caves), these caves can be reached by climbing 238 rock-cut steps that were built later in the 19th century.

Shivneri caves on top of the Shivneri Hill in the Junnar region of Maharashtra are believed to have been built between 1st and 3rd century AD. Out of the 200 or more caves that are located there, 50 turn out to be temples. However, for the sake of identification, these caves have been segregated into four basic groups – the Tulja Lena, Lenyadri, Manmod and the Shivneri caves. The last group, the Shivneri caves are located on the south-eastern side of the hill. Although most of the cave temples were created according to the Hinayan Buddhist tradition, some also contain images of Hindu deities of Lord Ganesha and Devi Durga.