Caves In Maharashtra: Explore Art, Religion, And History!

The ancientness of the Indian civilization has left behind a lot of historical remnants in our territory and caves are one among them. Maharashtra is home to a couple of them and if you are fond of heritage and history, a trip to the state can help you explore so many of them on the go.

Apart from the historical and heritage significance of the caves found in the state of Maharashtra, they are also loved by domestic as well as foreign tourists on account of their geographical location in between the forest, valleys and rural landscapes. So, exploring the caves of Maharashtra is gonna be more than just a historical visit to stuff in knowledge. 

Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves are quite popular among Indians since the significance of the caves has been taught to us right from a very early age. There are a total of 29 caves in this particular destination and all of them are rock-cut.

These caves also do have the significance of being spiritual on account of the Buddhist connection they have got. UNESCO has declared this destination as one of the World Heritage Sites, increasing the tourist crowd and demand for the same.

The paintings and inscriptions found on the walls of the caves are also quite impressive and worthy of exploring. The detailing and features of ancient Indian art can also be understood by visiting the destination. 

Ellora Caves

This is also another cave complex situated in the state of Maharashtra. Just like the cave of Ajanta, these caves also have got connections with spirituality. But unlike the Ajanta caves which are connected to the religion of Buddhism, Ellora Caves are connected to the religion of Hinduism.

Hence a lot of Hindu pilgrims are also seen visiting these caves for spiritual gains apart from historical purposes. Similar to the location of Ajanta Caves, the Ellora Caves have also been listed in the World Heritage Sites list by UNESCO.

The artwork that can be enjoyed inside these cave complexes is believed to have a rich ancientness attracting historians to the location. 

Bhaja Caves

Bhaja caves are another group of picturesque caves found in the state of Maharashtra. The number of caves found in the location of this particular cave complex is counted to be 22. This cave complex is believed to have existed since 2^nd C BC.

You need to travel to the city of Pune in Maharashtra in order to explore the beauty of these caves. Bhaja is the name of a village that is found near these caves. But the caves are situated exactly above this village at an elevation of around 400 feet.

The location of these caves has also got another peculiarity of being the trade route that was used extensively during the earlier days. 

Karla Caves

Karla Caves is not just yet another cave destination you can explore in the state of Maharashtra. It can be identified as a visual wonder in the location of the state. There are a couple of pronunciation variants by which the same cave complex is known among the people.

‘Karli Caves’, ‘Karle Caves’, and ‘Karle Caves’ are some of them. These caves are also related to the religion of Buddhism so spiritual seekers are also found in the location of these caves. You need to travel to the Lonavala region and then to the Karli side to visit these rock-cut caves.

From the city centre of Lonavala, you need to travel a distance of around 10.9 Km in order to reach the destination of the caves. 

Kanheri Caves

These are also rock-cut caves you can visit while touring the state of Maharashtra. Accessibility to this particular rock complex location is relatively easier since it is located in the capital city side itself.

Even though these caves are located in the city of Mumbai, you need to travel to the outskirts in order to reach the exact location, which is well-supported by transportation facilities. You can also visit the Sanjay Gandhi National Park while heading to visit the Kanheri Caves since the caves are located inside the park.

These caves are believed to be there since the 1^st C BCE attracting domestic and international tourists simultaneously to the location. 

Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves can be regarded as a sacred destination for the believers of Hinduism. The visitors found in the location of these caves are mostly Hindu pilgrims from different parts of the country.

The caves found in this particular complex are mostly temples and the Hindu God, Lord Shiva is the main deity worshipped inside the shrines of the temples. The tourism significance of the temple is also quite higher on account of its labelling as UNESCO’s one of the World Heritage Sites.

From the city centre of Mumbai, you can easily get to the location with just a distance of around 10 km. 

Lenyadri Caves

Another set of Buddhist caves you can visit is in the state of Maharashtra. These caves are also known by the names such as ‘Ganesh Lena’ and ‘Ganesh Pahar’ caves. There are a total of 30 rock-cut caves in the location of this particular complex.

From the Junnar region in the city of Pune, you can get to the location of the caves in a distance of just 4.8 Km. Apart from the Lenyadri Caves, you can also explore a lot of other caves situated nearby.

Those who believe in the Hinayana Buddhist tradition are seen in plenty in the destination of these caves. Apart from the Buddhist religious inclinations, Lord Ganesha is also worshipped inside these caves. 

Pitalkhora Caves

This is another historical landmark destination of caves in the Chandikawadi region in the state of Maharashtra. From the Chadikawadi Central Railway Station, you need to travel a distance of around 30 km in order to hit the location of these Pitalkhora Caves.

The presence of the Western Ghats also intensifies the wild and mystic beauty of the location of these caves. Just like many of the rock complexes mentioned above, these caves have also got the commitment to the religious beliefs of Buddhism.

There are a total of 14 rock monuments found in the location. The existing period be seen marked since the 3^rd C BCE according to the studies conducted here. 

Pataleshwar Caves

These caves are again located in the city of Pune in Maharashtra. On account of its religious connections, it is also known by the name, Panchaleshvara Temple or Bhamburde Pandav Cave Temple.

These rock-cut monuments are often visited by Hindu pilgrims from different parts of the country and it is there in the location since the 8^th Century. The Hindu God, Lord Shiva is the main deity worshipped inside the shrines of these caves.

These caves got discovered during a monolithic excavation and since then a lot of many studies have been conducted regarding the temple and the caves. The Nandi Mandapa found inside the caves is also quite attractive and considered divine by the Hindu pilgrims. 

Mahakali Caves

Another set of caves has religious prominence in the state of Maharashtra. Kondivite Caves is the other name attributed to this particular cave complex in the location. The building date of these rock-cut monuments is estimated to be between the 1^st century BCE and to 6^th century BCE.

You need to travel to the Andheri side in the city of Mumbai in order to reach the location of these caves. There are a total of 20 entrances to this particular cave complex in the location.

These caves are located at an elevation of 230 feet from the ground and can be easily accessed by anyone having an average fitness level. The Buddha Stupa found in cave number 9 is also a major attraction of the destination. 

Pandavleni Caves

These caves are located on top of a hill and are quite interesting to explore. You need to travel to the city of Nasik first in order to get to the location of Pandavleni Caves. Later, you can explore the rural outskirts of the city to reach the exact location of the caves.

This would be an exciting experience if you would like that lifestyle and cultural exploration during your cave visit. You can also get the opportunity to see the Dadasaheb Phalke Smarak located in the foothills region.

8km to the south of the center of Nashik is the #PandavleniCaves also known as Pandu Caves or Nasik Caves.The Pandavleni caves are a group of 24caves that represent Hinayana Buddhism.These ancient rockcut caves are situated on the tableland of Trivashmi Hills #LetsMeetMaharashtra pic.twitter.com/lPqxm9BdyQ

— Maharashtra Tourism (@maha_tourism) July 14, 2020

The Pandavleni caves are something closely connected with the Buddhist traditions in India hence considered also as a pilgrim destination by the believers. 

Jogeshwari Caves

These caves are temples belonging to the religion of Hinduism. The ancientness of these temples is also attractive when it comes to the pilgrimage and historical side of the same.

From the city centre of Mumbai, you are required to travel to the suburbs and then to the Jogeshwari region in order to reach the proper location of these Hindu cave temples. Hindu Goddess, Jogeshwari is the main deity worshipped inside these cave temples.

You can enter these cave temples through a total of 3 entrances. The pillars built inside these rock-cut temples have attracted a lot many aestheticians to visit the location. 

Aurangabad Caves

Just like the name of the caves suggests, these caves are located in the Aurangabad region in the state of Maharashtra. The studies conducted on these caves, it is found that they are built by carving basalt rocks that existed in the region.

The carving and the establishment of these rock-cut monuments might have happened between the 6^th century and 7^th centuries. The carvings found on the walls of these caves are quite aesthetically superior and are loved by a lot of people visiting the location.

Worships according to Buddhist traditions are quite common in the shrines found inside these caves and the surroundings. 

Kondana Caves

Another group of Buddhist caves was found in the location of the state of Maharashtra. These caves are still an active location for a number of archaeological studies happening in the state of Maharashtra. This is near the Rajmachi trek which is quite popular in the state.

You need to travel to the Kondhane region in order to travel to the destination of these caves. Makes sure you are planning your visit before 5 in the evening since it is the closing time of the caves.

From the city centre of Lonavala, you need to travel a distance of 33 km in order to hit the location of Kondana Caves. You can explore a total of 16 Buddhist caves by visiting the destination. 

Mandapeshwar Caves

Another group of ancient caves is found in the state of Maharashtra. These caves also come in the capital city side of the state. You can get to the location of the caves by travelling to the Borivali West region in the city of Mumbai.

These caves have got connections with the beliefs and traditions of Hinduism and regular worship is conducted in the location. Lord Shiva is the main deity worshipped in the cave groups found here.

The monuments found here are estimated to have existed since the 8^th century. Some also claim about the Buddhist connections possessed by these rock-cut caves. 

Chambarlena Caves

These caves are quite different from the rest of the caves mentioned in the list. Unlike the other rock-cut caves having religious inclinations to either Buddhism or Hinduism, the caves of Chambarlena do have connections with the beliefs and traditions of the religion of Jainism.

You can access the location of caves on the Nashik-Gujarat road in the state of Maharashtra. From the city centre of Nashik, there is only a distance of around 5 Km to these caves.

A lot of Jain believers are seen visiting this particular group of caves and paying their respects to the deities worshipped in the location. There are a total of 3 caves in the location. Nature will also amuse you during the visit. 

Conclusion 

Great idea to feel the religious and historical ancientness of India. It will also enhance your experience with the natural richness and biodiversity around. 

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