Coordinates: 18°11′44″N 76°0′36″E / 18.19556°N 76.01000°E / 18.19556; 76.01000

Dharashiv Caves

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Dharashiv Caves
Dharashiv cave main hall
Dharashiv cave main hall
Dharashiv Caves is located in India
Dharashiv Caves
Dharashiv Caves
Location in Maharashtra, India[1]
Dharashiv Caves is located in Maharashtra
Dharashiv Caves
Dharashiv Caves
Dharashiv Caves (Maharashtra)
Coordinates: 18°11′44″N 76°0′36″E / 18.19556°N 76.01000°E / 18.19556; 76.01000
Country India
StateMaharashtra
DistrictDharashiv district
Dating
5th century AD
Discovery10th Century
ISO 3166 codeIN-MH

Dharashiv caves are the nexus of seven caves located 8 km away from Osmanabad city, now renamed as Dharashiv city, in Balaghat mountains in Maharashtra state of India.[2][3][4] The caves were taken note by Archaeological Department of India and mentioned in the book Archaeological survey of India by James Burges.[5] Dharashiv Caves have been declared as Protected area by Government of Maharashtra.[6]

History

Dharashiv caves are believed to be built around 5th-7th century. First cave has been discovered in 10th century during the age of Rashtrakutas,[5] while there have been debates over caves whether they are Buddhist or Jain creations.[2] It is believed that these caves were originally Buddhist, but were later converted into monuments of the Jain religion.[5]

Caves

Mahavir Swami
Parshvanatha

There are seven caves, 1st cave is harnessed by 20 pillars of scaffolding. Cave No. 2 is among major caves and modeled on the plan of the Vakataka caves at Ajantha. It has a central hall measuring 80 feet by 80 feet, with 14 cells for the residence of the Bhiksus and garbhagraha with a statue of the Gautam Buddha in Padmasana. 3rd cave resembles with 1st, while later caves are Jain caves.[2][5]

Current status

Dharashiv caves are claimed by both Buddhist and Jain traditions. However research done by James Burges on 1200 caves in Maharashtra state showed that Dharashiv caves were originally a Buddhists caves in 5th century AD, while in 12th century some caves were converted to Jain caves.[7][8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Location of Dharashiv Caves, Osmanabad". WikiMapia. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Dharashiv caves". osmanabad online. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Osmanabad". Incredible India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  4. ^ "दयनीय अवस्थेत धाराशीव लेण्या!". Sakal (in Marathi). 24 July 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d "Dharashiv Caves - Historical Background". Osmanabad. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  6. ^ "ऐतिहासिक धाराशिव लेण्यांचे अस्तित्व धोक्यात" (in Marathi). Lokmat. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  7. ^ "धाराशिव लेणींचा ठेवा : दीड हजार वर्षांचा इतिहास". Divya Marathi. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  8. ^ "Dharashiv Caves".
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