Travelgiri Blog

Ramdharan hill (T. Alibag), on the north side of the Karli pass about five miles north-east of Alibag. has, near the top of its south face, a group of old rock-cut cisterns and cells. The easiest way of getting to the caves is to strike west from the western mouth of the Karli pass. Near the hill top the track is steep and in the dry season the grass is slippery. The caves are perhaps about 800 feet above the sea.

Khadsamble caves are one of the most impressive caves around Pune and Mumbai. These caves contains total of 37 rock structures and are near Thanale Caves.

Buddhist cave temples in India have been classified into two distinct groups, as they belong to two key dimensions of Buddhist faith – the Himayana and Mahayana forms of dedication. The cave temples belonging to the Himayana sect are mostly found in the western part of India at Bhaja, Kondane, Bedesa, Pitalkhara, Ajanta, Nasic, Karli and adjacent areas. Mahakali caves or Mahakali Buddhist caves (also known as Kondivita caves) are located in the western suburb of Andheri in the metropolitan city of Mumbai – they belong to this group. These rock-cut caves have probably been built between 1st century BC and 6th century BC.

Verul caves are actually Ellora caves. It is just that Verul was the original name of the world famous Ellora. Locally known as Verul Leni or Verul Caves, they are located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The caves here have been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fascinating caves that have been hewn out of solid rock are believed to have been created between 600 and 1000 A.D. They not only provide a glimpse of civilization that belonged to ancient India, but also bear testimony to the spirit of tolerance that was so characteristic of India in those bygone days. Ellora, incidentally, symbolizes the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. Altogether there are 34 caves here, each having its own specialty.

The not-so-high hills of the Satmala Range have a pair of tabletop mountains that are popularly known as Ankai and Tankai. The sheer walls rise up to 275 meters high above the surrounding shrubbery. Both the hills contain rock-cut caves – some complete with deities, others left with unfinished shrines.

Bhaje Caves is located near the scenic hill resort of Lonavala in the Western Ghats. These caves were turned into Buddhist religious center during the 1st century AD. The Bhaje Caves have however now been classified as a national monument, and are thus better maintained. Thousands of weekend vacationers who come to Lonavala also visit these caves to appreciate their beauty and get amazed by the fabulous architecture of these rock-cut caves.

The Kharosa caves are located around 45 kilometers from the city of Latur in Maharashtra. These are 12 rock-cut caves that contain Hindu, Buddhist and Jain images and sculptures. The archeologists and historians are of the opinion that the Kharosa caves were built during the 6th century. These caves are from the time of the Gupta rulers.

Kol Caves of Maharashtra state, About a mile south-east of Mahad in a hill behind the village of Kol are two small groups of caves still in good condition. The first group, to the north-east of the village, consists of, a few ruined cells; the second group, to the south-east contains one cell larger than any of the others. All are apparently unfinished. In the second group are three short inscriptions now worn out of about the first century after Christ.

One of the must see items on any sightseeing list among first time visitors to Mumbai is the Gharapuri Leni, which is more commonly known as the Elephanta caves. These caves are located on the Elephanta Island. They are just 10 kilometers away into the Arabian Sea from the city. The ferry provides a thrilling experience for all those who have never ventured into the sea. And of course, what you see on arrival in the caves is certainly the better part.

Located near Mount Poinsur in Borivali, a Mumbai suburb in the Indian state of Maharashtra, Mandapeshawar Caves are rock-cut grottos dedicated to Lord Shiva. In size and dimension, these caves are much smaller as compared to the Kanheri Caves that are also located in Borivali.