| Panhalakaji Caves | |
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 Panhalakaji Caves | |
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| Coordinates | 17°38′44″N73°14′42″E / 17.645678°N 73.245072°E |
| Pilgrimage to |
| Buddha's Holy Sites |
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Panhalakaji Caves are situated in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra state, about 160 km south of Mumbai, India. The cave complex has around 30 Buddhist and Hindu caves. [1] The Hinayana sect began carving caves in the 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 worship started at the site during Silahara rule. [2] There are total 29 caves, out of which 28 are situated on the right bank of the mountain stream Kotjai.
Contents
A list of important caves includes: [2]
- Cave 10 has an 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 Gaur Lena.
Pillars
Frieze with elephants
Stone pillar
Stone carvings depicting various Mahasiddhas
Stone carvings
