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
-
Battle Of Cape Ecnomus: One Of The Greatest Naval Battles In History
Ancient History Facts | Jun 17, 2019
-
Legend Of The Candle Dragon That Could Lighten The Darkest Gate Of Heaven
Chinese Mythology | Jan 15, 2016
-
The ‘Band Of Peace’ And Ancient Egyptian Technology – Is It Possible These Sites Were Power Generators?
Ancient Technology | Mar 19, 2017
-
Drought Accelerated Hittite Empire Collapse – New Study Suggests
Archaeology | Feb 12, 2023
-
The Sumerian King Who Received A Divine Tablet With Secrets Of The Gods And Changed History Of Mesopotamia
Featured Stories | May 30, 2021
-
‘Impossible’ Advanced Ancient Technology In Mesopotamia – Evidence Of Other-Worldly Interaction?
Featured Stories | May 24, 2021
-
Were Other Humans The First Victims Of The Sixth Mass Extinction?
Evolution | Nov 1, 2023
-
1,900-year-old ‘water law’ unearthed in Laodicea
Civilizations | Aug 26, 2015
-
Head Of The Great Sphinx Was Changed – It’s The Gateway To A Secret Underground City– Historians Suggest
Featured Stories | Jan 20, 2018
-
Unusual Parcel With 500-Year-Old Horn Container Discovered In South Africa Sheds Light On Pre-Colonial Khoisan Medicines
Featured Stories | Feb 15, 2023
-
Sensational Find: Huge Cuneiform Archive Of Mysterious Ancient Clay Tablets Discovered In Iraq
Archaeology | Oct 26, 2017
-
St. Swithin’s Day And The 40 Days’ Weather Prophecy
Featured Stories | Jul 15, 2023
-
Hogmanay: Scotland’s New Year Celebration Inherited From The Vikings
Ancient Traditions And Customs | Dec 31, 2016
-
Etruscan Beautiful Bronze Lamp of Cortona – Studied
Artifacts | Apr 10, 2024
-
900-Year-Old Crypt At Old Dongola: Magical Inscriptions And Mysterious Signs Found
Archaeology | Sep 12, 2015
-
Alexander The Great’s Biblical Connection
Featured Stories | May 29, 2019
-
Rare Medieval Hall Found Near Norman Castle At Skipsea, UK
Archaeology | May 15, 2024
-
Unusual Double Temple Of Kom Ombo Dedicated To Crocodile God Sobek And Falcon-Headed God Horus
Featured Stories | Mar 14, 2016
-
Paris Catacombs: Huge Underground Labyrinth Full Of Secrets
Featured Stories | Jan 3, 2016
-
Face Of Egyptian Man Who Lived 35,000 Years Ago Reconstructed
Archaeology | Apr 7, 2023