Panhalakaji Caves are situated in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra state, about 160 km south of Mumbai. This cave complex has around 30 Buddhist and Hindu 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.
| Panhalakaji Caves | |
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 Panhalakaji Caves | |
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| Coordinates | 17°38′44″N 73°14′42″E / 17.645678°N 73.245072°E |
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.
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Pillars -
Frieze with elephants -
Stone pillar -
Stone carvings depicting various Mahasiddhas -
Stone carvings
How to reach
edit- By train: Nearest Rail station is Khed, Ratnagiri.[1]
- By road: Located on NH 4 highway near Dapoli.[1]
Further reading
editDeshpande, 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
edit- ^ a b c d ET Bureau (18 April 2013). "Quick getaway: Dapoli, Saharanpur, Nanjagud". Economic Times. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
- ^ 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.
External links
edit
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