After having visited a few Buddhist caves in and around Mumbai, I had to visit the Pandav Caves in Nashik, and got the opportunity to see the stunning architecture last year in May. Having checked in the hotel at around 930 am, I was standing at the base of the Tirashmi mountains by 11, looked up at my walk to the top of the mountain, even though I knew it was not a lot, but with the sweltering heat at 40 degrees Celsius, I was dreading the half hour ascend. My ascends usually starts early in the mornings, but due to lack of time, it started almost close to mid-day. While having taken the necessary precaution before the ascend; had put on light clothes, had a lot of water before leaving my hotel, and even stopped a couple of times during the ascend, it was definitely exhausting. The walk through the wooded hillside, would have been spectacular if it was winters and especially during the rains. I paid Rs.10 to enter the complex. I was out of breath when I entered the complex but what I saw took my breath away, I stood there for a moment to The 24 caves are absolutely beautiful and the carvings in stone are intricate. I took my time visiting each cave; of which a few were empty. Definitely the most intriguing part is that these caves were started by Jains, and then converted into Buddhist centres. History of the Caves: The caves were called originally Pundru which in Pali language means "yellow ochre color". This is because the caves were the residence of Buddhist monks who wore "the chivara or the yellow robes". Later on, the word Pundru changed to Pandu Caves (as per Ancient Monuments Act 26 May 1909). Decades later people started calling it Pandav Caves - a misnomer which is used for every cave in India. It is a group of 24 Hinayana Buddhist Caves, which date back to 1st century BC (this is the time when they started) and were built gradually in time! Most of the caves are Viharas, except for the There are a lot of different dates as to till when they kept on shaping the caves, some say till 3 A.D, which was when sculptures and Carvings of Lord Buddha were put in. Some experts also say that active shaping even went on till the 12th century. These rock-cut temples initially were started by Jains and later turned into rather significant centre of Buddhism. The caves have idols of Buddha, Jain Teerthankara Vrishabhdeo, and the icons of Bodhisatva, Veer Manibhadraji and Ambikadevi. The various inscriptions confirm that Nashik in that period was ruled by 3 dynasties – the Western Kshatrapas, the Satavahanas and the Abhiras. The inscriptions also confirm that apart from the kings, local merchants, landlords too supported and donated huge sums for the development of these caves Cave No 1: This is a cave that is not captured very often. Even though there is not a lot to see in this cave, you do see carvings at the entrance above the pillars, and inside is a flight of stairs with a small Stupa (shrine) At the right of the flight of stairs, it does seem to me that there was once a figure carved (maybe lord Buddha), but which has now been destroyed! Cave No. 2 Cave No 3 also called 'Gautamiputra cave': This is the largest Vihara and is absolutely beautifully carved. I was just in awe seeing the amazing details. History of Cave No.3: This cave was built by Gautamiputra Satkarni for his mother Gautami Balsari. The inscription found in the caves record that the work was started during his reign and was completed in the 19th year of his son, Vasishtiputra Pulumavi Gautamiputra Satakarni was a ruler of the Satavahana Empire in present-day Deccan region of India. He ruled in the 2nd century CE, although his exact period uncertain. His reign is dated variously: 86-110 CE, c. 103-127 CE, or 106-130 CE. Based on the Nashik inscription of his mother, it appears that Gautamiputra revived the Satavahana power. (Wiki) Construction: In front of the main hall there is a big Verandah with 6 stambha’s which are chiseled beautifully. On the top of each of the Stambha’s are animals carved out. You enter the main through a main door, frame of which is decorated in the form of a torana, and you see figures of ganas, amorous figures and nayikas,and two Dwarapalas guard the entrance. Cave No: 4 Not much has been said about this cave! It is an empty Vihara! But, It has 4 stambhas in the verandah, and on top of each are elephants carved with figures of men and women riding them! Absolutely stunning! Cave No:5 Cave No. 6, 7, 8 & 9 Cave No 10 ( Naphana Cave); This is the second largest Vihara here! One of the most amazing thing apart from inscriptions , a Sphinx carved on the inner side of one of the pillars, with a Bull and a Lion on the outer side of the pillars. Why is it here, I have yet to find out? But this indicates influence of Greek architecture. History of this cave: The inscriptions in this particular cave reveals that in 105-106 BC the Kshatrapas defeated the Satavahnas and this cave was the gift of Saka Ushabhadata and his wife Dakshamitra,who was the daughter of King Nahapana of the Kshaharata family to the monks, they had infact donated 3000 gold coins for this cave. Nahapana (r. 119–124 CE) was an important ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, descendant of the Indo-Scythians, in northwestern India. According to one of his coins, he was the son of Bhumaka. (Wiki) Inscriptions of this family can be seen on the walls of the Verandah and left wall of the court, The inscriptions tell us about donations done by Ushadatta sometimes around 120 AD. Cave No. 11 Cave No 12 & 13 Cave No. 15 'Sri Yajna Vihar' inscription mentions about Sri Yajna Satkarni, the last powerful Satvahana King who ruled over the western Maharashtra, similar inscription in cave 3 at Kanheri. This indicated the cave was carved during the beginning of the 3rd century AD Cave No 17, 18, 19 & 20 in one shot Cave No 17 This contains fascinating inscriptions stating that some Greek "Yavana" with Indragnidatta and his son Dharmarakshit excavated this vihara with a shrine and the cisterns. Cave No: 18- Chaityagriha This is the oldest and the most important cave of all, it being the only Chaitya. It is 21 feet wide and 38 feet deep, the chaitya measures 5 feet 6 inches in diameter and 6 feet 6 inches in height. According to the inscriptions which are engraved on the 5th and 6th pillars, this cave was excavated by Bhattapalika, wife of the Royal officer Aghetyana and daughter of Royal officer Arahatya. Another inscription under the horse shoe arch of the entrance records the gift of a village by the inhabitants of the Nashik for the upkeep of the chaitya (Wiki) Cave No 20 This cave was started by an Ascetic name Bhopaki and was completed by Vasu, the wife of Mahasenapati Bhavagopa in the 7th year of the Satvahan King Gautamiputra Yajnashri Satkarni (Circa 166-198 A.D.) It is the largest Vihara measuring 44 feet wide and 61 feet deep, a 9 feet Bodhisatva with Padmapani and Vajrapani on either side are also housed in the shrine. The cave also witnessed later period additions in the form of cells, a shrine, enlargement of hall during 6th - 7th centuries A.D. Padmapani and Vajrapani are Bodhisattvas; In Mahayana Buddhism, a Bodhisattva is one who has an essence of enlightenment. They are bound to enlightenment and refers to those who wish to attain buddhahood for the benefit of others. Padmapani ( Holder of the Lotus) is the Sanskrit name for Avalokitesvara. Cave No 23 Cave No 24 A lot of figures including the Maha-parinirvana of Lord Buddha (lying down) Parinirvana refer to nirvana-after-death, which occurs upon the death of the body of someone who has attained nirvana during his or her lifetime. Murial of Lord Hanuman & Ganesha This is one of the most surprising thing to see at the Caves, this is not inside the caves but at a lower level, and most of the people just miss this! Was told this is also from the same era as that of the caves!
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