Dharashiv Caves

Dharashiv caves are the nexus of 7 caves located 8 km away from Osmanabad 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]

Dharashiv Caves धाराशिव लेणी
Dharashiv cave main hall
Dharashiv Caves Location in Maharashtra, India[1] Dharashiv Caves Dharashiv Caves (Maharashtra)
Coordinates: 18°11′44″N 76°0′36″E
Country	India
महाराष्ट्र State	Maharashtra
District	Osmanabad
Dating	5th century AD
Discovery	10th Century
ISO 3166 code	IN-MH

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 7 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

• Ajanta Caves
• Ellora Caves
• Tulja Bhavani Temple

References

1. "Location of Dharashiv Caves, Osmanabad". WikiMapia. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
2. "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. "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. http://ekpravas.blogspot.in/2011/08/dharashiv-caves.html