Pandavleni Buddhist Caves: Sculptures, Inscriptions And Sophisticated Water Management System
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Pandavleni (Pandav Leni) Caves were built from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD. They form a large complex of the 24 early Buddhist caves, of which some contain numerous chambers.
They are located approximately 8km south of the city of Nashik, in the western state of Maharastra, India. The history of Nashik dates back to prehistoric times and excavations carried out in the area confirmed that people lived om the banks of the river Godavarifrom the Chalcolithic age dating back to about 1,400 – 1,300 BC.
These rock-cut caves have beautiful pillared entrances; in total, caves contain 27 inscriptions in Brahmi script.
Pandavleni Caves are Hinayana Buddhist caves; there are many different schools and traditions of Buddhism, and these schools are often divided into the three Yanas (meaning 'Vehicles' or 'Paths'). These three are: the Hinayana, Mahayana and Tantrayana.
The caves served as monasteries (‘viharas’) for the disciples to meet, listen to sermons and meditate.
Some of Pandavleni caves are interconnected by stone cut ladders. There are also rock-cut water tanks once used by Buddhist monks. It is an ancient and very sophisticated water management system accompanied by several skillfully chiseled out of solid rock water tanks; these tanks are still functioning.
India's tradition of establishing water tanks is very old and represents a masterpiece of engineering.
In ancient times, the temple tank in India, always had water, even when all other sources had dried up.
See also:
Ajanta Caves: Incredible Accomplishment Of India’s Ancient Stonecutters
Gigantic Kailasa Temple Emerging From A Mountainside: Engineering Marvel Of India’s Master Builders
The main cave of the Pandavleni complex has a beautiful stupa (‘Chaitya’ or 'prayer hall') and almost all rock-cut chambers have their own unique carvings. There are large idols of Lord Buddha and icons of Bodhisattva (enlightened beings who have put off entering paradise in order to help others attain enlightenment.)
Two of all caves are particularly interesting; they have carvings, animal figures and dice boards once engraved into stone floors by monks who lived there. The inscriptions on the walls of the caves also describe local kings.
According to one of many ancient legends, Pandavas, the five sons of Pandu, a great warrior, described in a Hindu epic, Mahabharata, made these caves, while hiding away from their enemies.
However, historical facts and inscriptions found in the caves confirm that the city of Nashik, where the caves are located, in that period was ruled by 3 kings, who not only supported the building of the caves, but also local landlords and merchants, donated huge sums for their development.
The caves’ more ancient name is Trirashmi (“triple royal”) Caves.
Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
Nobel Prize: Svante Pääbo’s Ancient DNA Discoveries Offer Clues As To What Makes Us Human
DNA | Oct 12, 2022
-
Who Were Persian ‘Sparabara’?
Featured Stories | Aug 28, 2017
-
Djoser – Most Outstanding King Of The Third Dynasty In Ancient Egypt And His Step Pyramid
Featured Stories | Sep 7, 2021
-
Still Intact Renaissance Shipwreck Discovered On The Baltic Seabed
Archaeology | Jul 24, 2019
-
Strange Ancient And Medieval Encounters With Unusual Beings Reported And Documented
Featured Stories | Jan 15, 2024
-
On This Day In History: First Wireless Transmission Of Morse Signals Sent – On Mar 12, 1896
News | Mar 12, 2017
-
Sphinx Statue With A Smiley Face And Two Dimples Unearthed In Qena, Egypt
Archaeology | Mar 6, 2023
-
On This Day In History: Battle Of Lagos Took Place Between Royal Navy Of Britain and France – On August 19, 1759
News | Aug 19, 2016
-
On This Day In History: Samuel F.B. Morse Receives A Patent For His Dot-Dash Telegraphy Signals – On June 20, 1840
News | Jun 20, 2016
-
Ullr – Famous Norse Archer – God Of Asgard And Fastest Skier Ever Known Who Taught People The Art
Featured Stories | Jan 10, 2020
-
Could Neanderthals Meditate? Scientists Investigate
Archaeology | Jun 30, 2022
-
City Of Ephesus And Celsus Library With More Than 12,000 Scrolls
Featured Stories | Sep 17, 2015
-
Neolithic Ceramics Reveal Dairy Processing From Milk Of Multiple Species
Archaeology | Mar 15, 2023
-
Study: Paleo-Americans Hunted Mastodons, Mammoths And Other Megafauna In Eastern North America 13,000 Years Ago
Archaeology | Jun 15, 2023
-
On This Day In History: Count Leo Tolstoy Was Censored – On Feb 20, 1901
News | Feb 20, 2017
-
Oldest Human Remains From Puerto Rico Reveal A Complex Cultural Landscape Since 1800 BC
Archaeology | Apr 27, 2023
-
Magical Adder Stone And Its Immense Power
Celtic Mythology | Jul 14, 2018
-
How Did The Renaissance Change Europe?
Ancient History Facts | Oct 10, 2019
-
Ancient Mystery Of The Biblical Canaanites – New DNA Insight
Archaeology | May 28, 2020
-
Mystery Why Vikings Left Greenland Has Been Solved By Scientists
Archaeology | Mar 23, 2022