PROCEEDINGS

Rock-cut Caves of Maharashtra

2nd Annual Archaeology of Maharashtra International Conference

in honour of Prof. Walter Spink, 14 & 15 January 2015
Centre of Archaeology, Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, University of Mumbai,
& INSTUCEN Trust, Mumbai
 2nd Annual Archaeology of Maharashtra International Conference

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ISBN13: 978-81-932316-9-2

First Published 2020

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Conference Co-ordinators
Kurush F. Dalal & Suraj A. Pandit
Editors
Geri Malandra & Raamesh Gowri Raghavan
Typesetting
Raamesh Gowri Raghavan
Cover Design
Shashank Sawant
 Table of Contents

Foreword ........................................................... 1 Maharashtra.................................................... 89

Arvind Jamkhedkar, Chairman, ICHR, New Viraj Shah..................................................... 89
Delhi& Chancellor, Deccan College PGRI, Pune
सं घंशरणंगच्छामि:Understanding the Role and
....................................................................... 1
Control of Monastery through the Inscriptions
Editorial ............................................................. 2 in the Buddhist Cave Temples of Maharashtra
Geri Malandra, Malandra Consulting LLC, ........................................................................103
Durango ......................................................... 2 Abhijit Dandekar, Deccan College Post-
Keynote Address Ajanta and the Trajectory of Graduate and Research Institute, Pune..........103
Vakataka History ............................................... 5 Early Historic Caves of Maharashtra and
Prof Walter Spink, University of Michigan, Ann Sātavāhana Patronage: A Case Study ............107
Arbor .............................................................. 5 Smita Haldar, University of Calcutta, Kolkata
Rock-cut Art and Architecture of the Cālukyas ....................................................................107
in Southern Deccan: Background, Chronology Later Brāhmaṇical Caves of Maharashtra ....148
and Sculptural Disposition .............................. 20
Arvind Jamkhedkar, Chairman, ICHR, New
Prof. Adiga Sundara, Director of Archaeology & Delhi & Chancellor, Deccan College PGRI,
Museums, Government of Karnataka (Retd.) . 20 Pune ............................................................148
Chronology of the Brāhmaṇical Caves at Shiur, Mahāyāna Buddhism and Esoteric Practices:
District Nanded, Maharashtra: A Reappraisal 26 Kanheri A Case Study ....................................155
Vaishali M. Welankar .................................... 26 Suraj A Pandit, Sathaye College, Mumbai ....155
The Hiatus in Buddhist Cave Architecture in From Caves to Forts: Transformation witnessed
Maharashtra: Contesting Claims .................... 40 at Daulatabad .................................................162
Yashadatta Alone, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Tejas Garge, Director of Archaeology &
New Delhi .................................................... 40 Museums, Government of Maharashtra ........162
Newly Discovered Buddhist Rock-cut Caves of The “Ajantacarita”: The Legacy and Future of
Maharashtra: An Appraisal ............................ 48 Walter Spink...................................................176
Shrikant Ganvir, Deccan College Post-Graduate Geri Malandra, Malandra Consulting LLC,
and Research Institute, Pune.......................... 48 Durango ......................................................176
Origin and Development of Rock-cut
Architecture of Vidarbha (Maharashtra) ....... 60
Ganpatrao K. Mane, Amravati University,
Amravati ...................................................... 60
Buddhist Rock-cut Caves: The Hinayāna—
Mahāyāna Transition ...................................... 70
Late M K Dhavalikar .................................... 70
Buddhist caves at Nasik: An Analytical Study 79
Manjiri Bhalerao, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapith,
Pune ............................................................. 79
Patterns of Patronage in the Jaina Caves of
Rock-cut Caves of Maharashtra

Newly Discovered Buddhist Rock-cut Caves of Maharashtra: An Appraisal

Shrikant Ganvir, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune

Abstract

The present paper aims to examine the significance of the newly discovered caves in Maharashtra after the post-
independence period. An attempt will be made to discuss how newly discovered caves have facilitated our
knowledge of different aspects of the rock-cut architecture of the region. The role of these caves to comprehend
the religio-cultural setting of Maharashtra will also be examined in the present paper. The architectural,
sculptural and iconographic features of these caves will also be taken into consideration in this paper.

Introduction 1891, Dikshit 1941, Frere 1850, Johns 1976, West

1861, West and West 1862, Westergaard 1844,
An extensive documentation of Buddhist caves of
Wilson 1850; 1853). The first comprehensive
Maharashtra was carried out in the nineteenth account of the rock-cut caves of India was published
century and the first half of the twentieth century and in The Cave Temples of India (1880) by Fergusson
subsequently published in the articles and and Burgess. Burgess (1883) later on published a
monographs (Abbot 1891, Bradley 1853, Cousens

Figure 31: Map showing locations of newly discovered Buddhist caves (Prepared by Hemant Dalvi)

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brief account of some of the Buddhist caves of frames of the cells are canopied by caitya arches,
western India in ‘Report on the Buddhist Cave which are interconnected by railing pattern
Temples and Their Inscriptions’. Cousens (1897) (Nagaraju 1981: 103, fig.19).
published an inventory of the archaeological sites in
the ‘Revised Lists of Antiquarian Remains in the
Bombay Presidency’, which includes some of the
unknown or less-known Buddhist caves.

The present paper deals with newly discovered

Buddhist caves in Maharashtra in the Post-
independence period. An attempt has also been made
to comprehend their architectural significance and
also to analyse some important features such as their
location, sectarian affiliation, functional aspect, etc.
The newly discovered Buddhist caves have been
classified into four groups based on their location
and size. The caves have been dealt here in
chronological order, i.e. in order of their discovery.
These caves were reported either through systematic
exploration or by accidental discovery. Locations of
most of these caves are shown in the map of
Maharashtra (Fig.1).

The first group includes the newly discovered caves

from the known Buddhist rock-cut groups. In this
group newly discovered caves at Bhaja, Ajanta,
Nenavali, Junnar, Jivdane, Kanheri and Tamkane Figure 32: Cave 26, Bhaja (Photograph courtesy: Dr.
have been included. Abhijit Dandekar)

Two more caves, one a vihāra cave and the other, a A group of Buddhist caves at Nenavali was
caitya cave were discovered by M. N. Deshpande discovered by Rev. Abbott (1891:121-123). The
during 1955-56 (IAR 1955-56:71-72). These two caves are not mentioned in ‘The Cave Temples of
caves have been studied in detail by Nagaraju (1981: India’, as the caves were discovered after its
126-127, fig.25). The vihāra, cave 25 and caitya, publication. A brief account of these caves was later
cave 26 seem to be the earlier caves in the Bhaja published by Cousens (1891). M. N. Deshpande,
group, based on their architectural features. The who had carried out an extensive study of the
unfinished vihāra cave has a large rectangular hall Nenavali Buddhist caves in 1981-82, noticed a
with three cells in the left wall, two cells in the right group of five vihāra caves, locally called Camār
and a cell in the back. The caitya cave is circular on lēṇa, a quarter kilometre from the main group on the
the plan with a flat roof (Fig.2). There is a stupa in southern side (IAR 1981-82:96-98). These caves are
the centre, which is simple in execution with a in a bad state of preservation and the front portion of
cylindrical mēdhī and a hemispherical aṇḍa. The these caves have been collapsed (Fig.3). These caves
presence of a circular socket on the top of the aṇḍa consist of a hall, mostly provided with cells.
is indicative of an arrangement to fix a loose
A brief account of the Buddhist caves of Junnar was
harmika.
first published by James Burgess (1877). A
During the clearance of debris of a retaining wall comprehensive study of these caves was further
which had collapsed in a landslip, a new vihāra cave carried out by Dr. Suresh Jadhav (1980). A group of
was discovered at Ajanta by Abdul Waheed Khan in 5 caves was reported at Dudharya, 5 kilometres
1956 (IAR 1955-56:72). The vihāra cave has a hall south-east of Junnar. All caves are simple without
and three cells within the right, left and back walls. any decoration. Most of the caves are single cell type
This cave, now numbered as ‘15-a’ belongs to the excavations. The absence of inscription and water
early phase of the rock-cut excavation of the Ajanta cistern in this small monastic site is striking. In the
caves. The cells have two benches and their door absence of either epigraphic record or any notable

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Figure 33: Exterior view, Nenavali Caves (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

architectural feature, it seems difficult to date this hall type cave, consisting of ‘L’ shaped bench in a
group of caves (Nakatani et. al. 2010: 225-232). recess along the back and right walls. Cave 7 is also
Three more caves were reported at Jivdane by Dr. S. hall type cave, showing the remains of benches on
Nagaraju (IAR 1978-79: 99). These are plain vihāra the sidewalls of the veranda followed by a simple
caves. Two more plain caves were reported by hall (Pandit 2012:51-60). Dr. Suraj Pandit has
Pravin Patil at Tamkane (Tal. Patan, Dist. Satara). recently discovered another group of seven vihāra
Both caves have a veranda and an inner cell (Patil caves at Kanheri, which can be considered earlier in
2012:143-144). the Kanheri caves. One of them is showing the
remains of harmika. The architectural features of the
A group of seven caves at Kanheri was reported by
caves suggest that these caves were functioning as
Dr. Suraj Pandit. These caves are located on the
temporary shelter for monks in the rainy season
eastern hill (Pandit 2012:51-60). Natural caverns
(Times of India, Pune Edition, Date:17 January
were modified into these Buddhist caves. Cave 1 is
2016).
a simple cell with veranda. Cave 2 has two seats and
a bench. Cave 3 has a bench in recess, whereas cave The second group includes the newly discovered
4 consists of a small bench and a water cistern. Cave major group of rock-cut caves. This group includes
5 is the most significant in this group. This cave has a group of 29 caves at Panhāḷēkājī. The Department
along bench along the back wall and consists of two of Archives and Archaeology, Maharashtra State
stupas carved on the back wall. The stupas are undertook exploration in 1970, which resulted into a
carved in deep relief and exhibit all the architectural significant discovery of a group of 29 Buddhist and
members such as mēdhī, aṇḍa, harmika, yaṣti and Hindu rock-cut caves at Panhāḷēkājī (Tal. Dapoli,
chatrāvali. These stupas can be dated to the first Dist. Ratnagiri) on the Konkan coast (IAR 1970-
century CE on the basis of stylistic features. Such 71:67). The State Department of Archives and
relief stupas are also noticed in Kōṇḍaṇē cave 2 and Archaeology, Maharashtra (IAR 1972-73:95, IAR
Mahad cave 27 (Nagaraju 1981). Cave 6 is simple 1973-74:22) and the South-Western Circle of the

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Figure 34: Façade of caves 4 and 5, Panhāḷēkājī (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

Figure 35: View of cave 12, Panhāḷēkājī (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

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Archaeological Survey of India (IAR 1977-78:41) Jadhav. The vihāra consists of two cells, one of them
carried out scientific clearance of the debris, which has a bench. The caitya cave can be tentatively dated
brought about the architectural, sculptural and to the first half of second century CE on the basis of
archaeological remains. This is the most significant its stylistic affinity with caitya cave 6 at Karad and
discovery of rock-cut caves in the western Deccan. the isolated caitya at Junnar (Dhavalikar 1984:33).
These caves are associated with Hinayāna and
A group of four rock-cut excavations was discovered
Vajrayana sects of Buddhism as well as Nātha and
at Yeradvadi (Tal. Patan, Dist. Satara), twenty-five
Gāṇapatya sects of Hinduism. Cave 1 to cave 15,
kilometres northwest of Karad and two kilometres
cave 18, cave 21 and cave 27 are associated with
west of Malhar Peth by Dr. David Efurd (2006: 11-
Hinayāna and Tantric Vajrayana phase of Buddhist
14). This group consists of a caitya, a vihāra and rest
architecture (Figs. 4 and 5). The entire Buddhist
are the unfinished excavations. The caitya is under
activities at the site can be dated from the third
worship as a Śaiva shrine, locally called
century CE to the tenth century CE. These caves
‘Rudrēśvara’. The caitya is apsidal on plan and has
show advanced architectural features. The Buddhist
twenty-one pillars, out of which nineteen pillars are
caves at Panhāḷēkājī are of special significance as
octagonal, where the front pillar on either side is
they provide pivotal evidence regarding Vajrayana
squarish (Figs. 6 and 7). The cave has a vaulted
Buddhism in the coastal Maharashtra (Deshpande
ceiling with grooves, which meant for wooden ribs
1986).
and rafters. Interestingly, the principal object of
The third group includes the newly discovered veneration, i.e. the stupa is absent in the cave. The
minor groups of rock-cut caves. It includes caves at façade has a caitya arch, which shows a strong
Induri, Kunghada, Pullar, Yerphal, Yeradvadi, influence of blind caitya arch. The caitya can be
Digevadi, Dhondase, Kharbala, Bahirampada, considered as one of the earliest caityas of the
Panderi, Garbhagiri and Edvan. western Deccan. The caitya cave has been dated to
the second century CE by Efurd. A group of three
A group of four caves was reported by R. L. Bhide
caves was discovered at Digevadi (Tal. Patan, Dist.
in the Bhandara hill, near Induri (Tal. Maval, Dist.
Satara), near Yeradwadi on the Karad-Chiplun road
Pune). The group consists of a caitya and three
by Dr. David Efurd (2006: 16). The group consists
vihāra caves (IAR 1957-58:66, Bhide 1964:148-
of a caitya, a vihāra and a cluster of cells. The caves
149). The caitya is rectangular on plan and is open
are in a bad state of preservation. The caitya is
to the sky. The sockets on the top of the walls of this
apsidal on plan with an astylar hall. The ceiling is
caitya suggest that there was a provision to fix a
vaulted and a stupa is absent, similar to Yeradvadi
ceiling on its top. These caves can be dated to the
caitya.
second-third century CE on the basis of the
architectural features. A group of five caves at A group of nine caves at three sites was reported by
Kunghada (Tal. Nagbhir, Dist. Chandrapur) was the present author in 2009 in the vicinity of the
discovered by L. K. Srinivasan of the Buddhist caves at Thānālē and Nenavali Buddhist
Archaeological Survey of India (IAR 1962-63:15). caves, while carrying out an extensive study of the
The caves are plain and three of them have façade. Thānālē and Nenavali caves as the Departmental
Remains of the caves were reported from Pullar Research Project of the Deccan College Post-
(IAR 1970-71:49). Two Brahmi inscriptions were Graduate and Research Institute, Pune. A group of
also reported from the site. two caves is located near Dhondase (Tal. Pali, Dist.
Raigad) about 13 kilometres east of Pali, the Taluka
A group of two caves at Yerphal (Tal. Patan, Dist.
headquarter in Raigad district and 5 kilometres
Satara) located on the Karad-Patan road was
northeast of the village Dhondase. The group
discovered by Prof. M. K. Dhavalikar and Dr. Suresh
consists of cave 1, a vihāra and cave 2, an unfinished
Jadhav in December 1979. The caitya cave is apsidal
caitya cave (Ganvir 2014:55-59). The vihāra
on plan and consists of an astylar hall with a stupa in
consists of a veranda, hall and three cells (Fig. 8).
the apse. The vaulted roof of the caitya cave does not
The hall had originally a running bench on both sides
show any evidence of the arrangement of wooden
and at the back. When the cave was extended two
ribs and rafters on it. The stupa has high mēdhī and
more cells were added in the back wall through
a hemispherical aṇḍa with a squarish socket on its
cutting the bench in the back wall. An attempt was
top, which is meant for fixing harmika. The traces of
also made to excavate a cell on the right side. Both
a caitya arch were reported by Dhavalikar and

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Figure 36: Façade, Yeradvadi Caitya (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

Figure 37: Interior view, Yeradvadi Caitya (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

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the cells of the back wall have benches. The cells on

the northern and southern sides in the back wall are
completed whereas the cell on the right side is left
unfinished. Cave 2, an unfinished caitya cave,
consists of a veranda and a roughly squarish hall
with an unfinished stupa (Fig.9). The cave is entered
through a flight of steps which is now much
damaged. The astylar hall is roughly square and flat-
roofed. The hall has a squarish shaped mass of rock
in the rear end, which was evidently intended for a
stupa and it remains unfinished because of seepage
of water in the back side of the hall.
Figure 40: Exterior view, Kharabala Caves (Photograph:
Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

Another group of five caves was reported by the

present author at Bahiramapada (Tal. Pali, Dist.
Raigad) about 11 kilometres east of Pali, the Taluka
headquarter in Raigad district and 3 kilometres
northeast of the village Dhondase (Ganvir 2014:55-
59). The group consists of two vihāra caves and
three unfinished caves. Caves 1, 4 and 5 are
unfinished caves, whereas caves 2 and 3 are vihāra
caves and are identical on the plan. Both the caves
consist of a bench in the back wall. The caves are
Figure 38: Cave 1, Dhondase (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant simple and do not show any embellishment (Fig.11).
Ganvir) On stylistic grounds, the Dhondase caves can be
dated to the middle of the second century as these
caves show many similarities with the Junnar caves.
The Dhondase caitya is a quadrangular, astylar and
flat-roofed caitya. According to Dhavalikar
(1984:27), the quadrangular, astylar and flat-roofed
caitya emerged in western India in the middle of
second century CE. The Bahirampada caves seem to
be earlier than the Dhondase caves on the basis of
their architectural features and can be dated to the
middle of first century CE.

Figure 39: Cave 2, Dhondase (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant

Ganvir)

Another group of two caves was reported at

Kharbala, near Dhondase caves in the forest area
near Sudhagad. The caves are remained unfinished
probably because of the unsuitability of the rock for
further excavations. The caves have a squarish or
rectangular hall, without any traces of bench
(Fig.10). It was also intended to provide the doorway
to one of the caves; the remains of such arrangement
Figure 41: Exterior view, Bahirampada Caves
are still visible (Ganvir 2014:55-59). (Photograph: Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

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A group of three caves was discovered by Anjay proximity to Sopara.

Dhanavade and his team in 2009 at Panderi (Tal.
A group of two caves, at Garbhagiri hill (Tal.
Mandangad, Dist. Ratnagiri), located 15 kilometres
away from Mhapral, a small riverine port on River Pathardi, Dist. Ahmednagar), 6 kilometres from
Savitri (Dhanavade et. al. 2011-12:179-184). The Shirapur village and 25 kilometres from Pathardi
three caves are mostly identical in plan and consist was discovered by Dr. Shreekant Jadhav. The group
consists of a caitya and a vihāra (Jadhav 2015:424-
of a mandapa and shrine (Fig.12). Cave 1 faces east
434). The caitya is apsidal on plan and has an
while caves 2 and 3 face north. Cave 1 has an outer
unfinished stupa in the apse of the cave (Fig.13). The
mandapa and an inner cell. The outer hall has two
excavation of the pillars stopped as the remains of
benches carved on the northern and southern walls.
three pillars on the right side of the cave can be seen.
Cave 2 is more elaborate than the remaining two
The ceiling of the caitya is vaulted. The façade of the
caves. This cave has a pillared hall with two long
cave displays the remains of a caitya arch with stone
benches excavated on the eastern and western walls,
and a shrine in the back wall. The shrine of the cave ribs. The vihāra cave consists of a rectangular hall
with cells on three sides of the cave. The vihāra has
has an ornate door with two dvāraśākhās and a
eight cells without benches, three each on the right
lalāṭabiṃba. Cave 3 is smaller in dimensions,
and left sides and two in the back wall.
compared to the remaining two caves. This cave
consists of an outer hall and an inner cell and the
door of the cave is unadorned. As rightly mentioned
in the scholars in the article (Dhanavade et. al. 2011-
12:179-184), it is difficult to assign religious
affiliation of the caves in absence of any contextual
evidence, but on the basis of their striking similarity
to the caves at Panhāḷēkājī, the possibility of their
association with Tantric Buddhism cannot be ruled
out.

Figure 43:Interior view, Garbagier Caitya (Photograph

courtesy: Dr. Shreekant Jadhav)

The fourth group includes newly discovered single

or solitary cave in Maharashtra. Solitary Buddhist
caves were reported from Man, Dhangwhan, Banoti,
Gothe, Pomgaon, Waghjai, Kusarund, Dhareshvar
and Ainari.

A solitary cave at Man (Tal. Haveli, Dist. Pune), 19

kilometres west of Pune was reported by R. L. Bhide
(1964:148). The cave is located ina hill known as
Figure 42:General view, Panderi caves (Photograph
madhicā dōṃgar, west of the village. The coins of
courtesy: Dr. P. P. Joglekar)
the Western Kshatrapas were reported from the
A group of three caves at Edvan (Tal. and Dist.: vicinity of the cave. It seems that this cave was
Palghar) was discovered by Dr. Suraj Pandit and functioning as a temporary shelter either for
Siddharth Kale (2013:250-252). Edvan is located on Buddhist monks or traders. A caitya cave was
the northern bank of Vaitarana creek and south of reported by the Department of Archaeology,
Palghar, the District headquarter. The caves have Government of Maharashtra at Dhangawhan, near
been altered and have been used for the worship of Kamshet (Tal. Maval, Dist. Pune). The cave is
a goddess. These caves exhibit striking similarities apsidal on plan and the stupa is in ruinous condition
with the Buddhist caves at Jivdane. Although it is (IAR 1965-66:28).
difficult to ascertain religious affiliation of the
T. M. Kesava of the Archaeological Survey of India
caves, a tentative possibility of its association with
noticed an unfinished rock-cut cave of the
Buddhist monks cannot be ruled out due to its

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Rock-cut Caves of Maharashtra

Vākāṭakaperiod at Banoti (IAR 1982-83:136-137). pillar-fronted extensions on either side with two
The Banoti cave (Tal. Soygaon, Dist. Aurangabad) cells at the right and a cell at the left. According to
is only fifteen kilometres from Ajanta as the crow Spink (2005: 337), the cave is of particular interest
flies and seventy kilometres away from the road. The because it has two distinct phases, in fact, it is the
debris clearance was carried out by the only Vākāṭaka cave in Maharashtra which was
Archaeological Survey of India to comprehend its expanded a century or so later. The shrine doorway
architectural features (IAR 1989-90:55-56). The has a distinct stupa in its central motif, which
cave bears unique architectural features (Figs. 14 confirms its Buddhist affiliation in the first phase of
and 15). the excavation. This first phase must have started in
the last half of the fifth century CE. The second
phase of excavation, which can be dated to the last
half of the sixth century CE which can be evident
from the transformation of one of the two unfinished
shrine antechamber pillars (Spink 2005:336-343).

Two caves were reported by Vikram Marathe, one

each at Gothe (Tal. Mulshi, Dist. Pune), behind the
hills of Deshmukhvadi and Pomgaon (Tal. Mulshi,
Dist. Pune). The cave at Gothe, 3 kilometres from
Paratevadi, is a vihāra, which has seven cells in the
back wall (Marathe 1999-2000:161-162). Some of
the cells have preserved the remains of benches.
Remains of a water cistern were also reported at the
Figure 44:Interior view, Banoti cave (Photograph: Dr.
Shrikant Ganvir) site. Another cave at Pomgaon is located near Gothe
village. It is a single cell without any bench. The
strategic location of these two solitary caves on the
ancient trade route going from Chaul to Junnar is of
an immense significance. A detailed analytical study
of the interrelation of Buddhist caves, ancient trade
routes and ancient sites has been published in the
article on the ancient port at Chaul (Gogte et. al.
2006:76-77).

A cave was reported in Waghjai hill in Agarav region

(Tal. Alibag, Dist. Raigad) near Chaul in 2004 by
Prof. V. D. Gogte and his team (Gogte et al. 2006:
76). The cave seems to be of caitya-cum-vihāra type
of the late Hinayāna phase of the Buddhist rock-cut
architecture in the western Deccan. The cave has a
hall and inner central chamber enshrining a stupa
(Fig.16). The cave is in a dilapidated state. The hall
is squarish whereas the inner chamber is rectangular.
The stupa is in a bad state of preservation, showing
the remains of stepped inverted pyramidal capital.
The cave can be approximately dated between the
late second century CE to the early third century CE.
It shows striking similarities with the caitya caves of
Figure 45:Doorframe of the shrine, Banoti cave Mahad and Kuḍā (Dhavalikar 1984:38-47).
(Photograph: Dr. Shrikant Ganvir)

The cave consists of a simple porch fronted by four

pillars, a pillared shrine antechamber with shrine
behind with unfinished ambulatory
(pradakṣiṇāpatha). The plain hall of the cave has

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a solitary example of the Mahāyāna phase of the

Buddhist rock-cut architecture, whereas the
Buddhist caves at Panhāḷēkājī mostly represent the
Vajrayana phase of the Buddhist rock-cut
architecture. Epigraphic records are almost absent in
newly discovered caves. Discovery of minor
Buddhist monastic complexes is more fascinating.
These caves need further investigation to understand
their functional aspect. Although many more
Buddhist cave sites were reported either in Pre-
independence period or Post-independence period,
Figure 46: Interior view, Waghjai Cave (Photograph looking into the nature of geographic setting and
courtesy: Dr. Abhijit Dandekar and Dr. Sachin Joshi) landscape of the state, it seems that there could be
still some more unknown Buddhist caves in the
A vihāra cave was reported at Kusarund (Tal. Patan,
mountainous region which could not be visited due
Dist. Satara) by Pravin Patil. The cave consists of a
to their uttermost location, so it is essential to carry
hall and ten cells with benches (Patil 2012:241). A
out more systematic and extensive exploration of the
circular impression of rock in the centre of the hall
region for further investigations.
strongly confirms the possibility of a rock-cut or
structural stupa. Another cave at Dhareshvar (Tal. Acknowledgements
Patan, Dist. Satara) reported by the same researcher
seems to be affiliated to Buddhism as the cave has This is a revised version of my paper presented in
been undergone recent renovation and is under the International Conference on the Rock-cut Caves
worship as Śaiva shrine (Patil 2014:242). The of Maharashtra, organized by the Centre for
vaulted roof and the nature of the façade propose its Archaeology and the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies
association with Buddhist rock-cut architecture. of the University of Mumbai. I am thankful to Prof
A. P. Jamkhedkar, Dr. Mugdha Karnik, Dr. Suraj
A cave was reported by Anjay Dhanavade at Ainari Pandit and Dr. Kurush Dalal for inviting me to
(Tal. Vaibhavwadi, Dist. Sindhudurg) on the Konkan present the paper in the International Conference. I
coast (Dhanavade 2014:187-190). The cave is express my sincere gratitude to the authorities of the
located 5 kilometres away from Ainari. There are Deccan College (Deemed University) for their
three rock-cut excavations including a cave and two constant academic support. I am grateful to Prof. Y.
water cisterns. The cave is of caitya-cum-vihāra S. Alone for his valuable comments.
type, belonging to the late Hinayāna phase. It
consists of a veranda supported by two octagonal I am also thankful to Prof P. P. Joglekar, Dr.
pillars, a pillared hall and an apsidal room/hall with Shreekant Jadhav, Dr. Abhijit Dandekar, Dr. Sachin
the provision of excavating a stupa. A big rock is Joshi and Vikram Marathe for providing
seen standing in corner of the apsidal cell with the photographs of the newly discovered caves. I thank
definite intention of carving a stupa. The cave has Hemant Dalvi for preparing the location map of the
altogether four cells with stone benches, one cell on caves.
the left side and the remaining three cells are in the Bibliography
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