Panhalakaji Caves

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Panhalakaji Caves
पन्हाळेकाजी लेणी.jpg
Panhalakaji Caves
Map showing the location of Panhalakaji Caves
Map showing the location of Panhalakaji Caves
Coordinates17°38′44″N 73°14′42″E / 17.645678°N 73.245072°E / 17.645678; 73.245072Coordinates: 17°38′44″N 73°14′42″E / 17.645678°N 73.245072°E / 17.645678; 73.245072
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Panhalakaji Caves are situated in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra state, about 160 km south of Mumbai. This cave complex has around 30 Buddhist caves.[1] The Hinayana sect began carving caves in 3rd century AD, beginning with the stupa in the current Cave 5.[2] The caves have inscriptions in Brahmi and Devanagari script.[1] In the 10-11th century AD another Buddhist group, a Vajrayana sect, established cave 10 with their deities Akshobhya and Mahachandaroshana; and strengthened their practice in that region. Shiva and Ganpatya worshiping started at the site during Silahara rule.[2] There are total 29 caves out of which 28 are situated on the right bank of mou tain stream Kotjai.

A list of important caves includes:[2]

  • Cave 10 has and image of Maha-Chandraroshana. This deity is shown on the stupa which signifies the connection of Ratnagiri with ancient Buddhist sites of Orissa.
  • Cave 14 has deities of Nath Pantha.
  • Cave 19 has shivlinga in it. It has Hindu scriptures on its ceiling.
  • Cave 29 was used by Nath Pantha and was renamed as Gaur Lena.

  • Pillars

  • Frieze with elephants

  • Stone pillar

  • Stone carvings depicting various Mahasiddhas

  • Stone carvings

How to reach[]

Further reading[]

Deshpande, Madhusudan Narhar (1986). The caves of Panhāle-Kājī (ancient Pranālaka): an art historical study of transition from Hinayana, Tantric Vajrayana to Nath Sampradāya (third to fourteenth century A.D.). New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. ASIN B0006EPMPS. OCLC 923371295. Retrieved 5 February 2021.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d ET Bureau (18 April 2013). "Quick getaway: Dapoli, Saharanpur, Nanjagud". Economic Times. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Mitra, Debala (1984). India Archaeology 1981-82 (PDF). New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India. pp. 97, 98. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.

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