Bedse Leni (Bedse Caves)
Bedsa Leni Information in English
Location :
Bedse Leni are located in Maval Taluka of Pune District, in the state of Maharashtra, India.
Height :
The height of these caves is approximately 2250 feet above sea level.
While from the foothills of the mountain, Bedse Leni are situated at a height of about 300 feet.
Travel Route to Visit the Caves :
These caves are located in Pune District. Pune is an international city of Maharashtra.
Mumbai is also an international city.
From Pune, after reaching Kamshet by road or railway, on the route going towards Pawna Dam, there is Bedse village.
Behind this village, Bedse Leni can be seen carved into the mountain.
While coming from Mumbai, one can travel via Lonavala – Khadgaon route, then through Dudhari Ghat, and further via the Pawna route to reach Bedse village.
Distance :
Pune to Bedse : 50 kilometers
Mumbai to Bedse : 108 kilometers
Places to See at Bedse Leni :
After reaching Bedse village, vehicles can be taken up to the staircase route located at the base of the hill behind the village.
Constructed Staircase Route :
After reaching near the staircase path, one comes across a route consisting of constructed stone steps.
In total, there are approximately 400 steps.
While climbing this route towards the caves, water streams can be seen at various places along the way.
These streams flow abundantly during the monsoon season.
During summer, they appear reduced or completely dried up.
These caves were carved along an ancient trade route.
These caves are approximately 2200 to 2300 years old.
By climbing this route, one reaches near the caves.
These caves are also known as Markood Caves.
Cave Number 1 :
At this place, an incomplete stupa and chaitya hall can be seen.
They were excavated, but their decoration and completion could not be achieved.
Second Cave :
At this place, a subterranean water tank can be seen.
This tank reflects the water storage planning system of that period.
Third Cave :
At this place, an attempt to construct a chaitya and a stupa can be observed.
Here, inscriptions carved in Brahmi script can be seen.
The stupa is incomplete.
A vedika band is carved on it.
The top portion of this stupa is also in an incomplete state.
• Cave Nos. 4 and 5:
At this location, water tanks carved into the rock can be seen. These tanks are approximately ten to fifteen feet deep and are quite spacious. In Cave No. 5, an inscription is also visible.
• Chaitya Hall and Stupa:
There is a large and complete chaitya hall here. At its entrance, four pillars can be seen. Of these, two are fully circular, while the other two are carved into the walls. These pillars are octagonal in shape. At the base, there is a curved pedestal; in the middle stands an octagonal pillar, and on the upper part, an inverted (downward-facing) lotus flower is carved. Above this is the harmika (platform), on which animal sculptures are carved. Among these, horses, elephants, and bulls are prominent, with male and female riders depicted on them. Their attire provides information about the lifestyle and customs of people of that period.
The design of these pillars belongs to the Mauryan period, and an Iranian, that is, Persian sculptural style is evident in them. The elephants carved on the pillars originally had real tusks, but these have now been stolen by antisocial elements. However, the holes where the tusks were fixed can still be clearly seen on the elephants’ faces.
• Outer Wall and Chaitya:
Moving slightly ahead after observing the pillars, a semi-circular chaitya carved in the shape of a peepal leaf can be seen. Its structure shows that an open space was left on the inner side, similar to a window, to allow sunlight to enter. Beautiful decorative carvings are visible above it. On the outer side, meditation cells can be seen. Their doorways are adorned with elegant peepal-leaf motifs, with ornamental work on the upper part and a vedika band below. Inside, seats have been carved for sitting in meditation.
• Stupa:
After entering the chaitya, a stupa can be seen inside. There are pillars on both sides of it, carved with floral designs and dharma chakras. Altogether, 26 pillars can be seen here. Behind these pillars runs a narrow path, which serves as a circumambulatory passage. Through this path, circumambulation can be completed using the doorways on both sides.
The centrally placed stupa has a base (jagati) at the bottom, above which, leaving a small gap, there is a vedika band, followed by the dome, then the neck, above that the harmika platform, and finally the lotus stalk. This is a highly complete and well-proportioned stupa. The wooden beams and other materials on its upper portion have been stolen. On the upper side, an elephant-back (gajprishtha) form can be seen.
At this place, the relics of Arhant Buddhist monks were kept, due to which an atmosphere of peace, serenity, and energy prevailed here. Readings of the Triratna, sutras, and the Tripitaka of Buddhism were conducted here. Logical discussions on Buddhist philosophy were also imparted to the monks. The structure of the chaitya and the stupa has been designed in such a way that sound resonates throughout the entire परिसर.
• Cave No. 6:
At this location, a water tank has been constructed.
• Cave No. 7:
Adjacent to Cave No. 6, the incomplete Cave No. 7 can be seen. Here, stone platforms have been prepared for sitting. Some incomplete chambers are also present. Alongside these, there is an underground water tank carved into the rock.
• Cave No. 8:
This cave is incomplete and represents an unfinished meditation chamber.
• Vihara:
The next cave is a vihara. It has a gajprishtha (elephant-back) shaped form. On the outer side, there is a water tank, followed by a sitting area, and then a spacious courtyard. Inside, many small cells have been carved. In total, there are 11 cells. Each cell has peepal-leaf shaped decorative motifs and a vedika band on its doorway. Inside, there are meditation seats, resting places, and spaces below for storing materials.
• Thereafter:
To go to the upper level, a stairway carved into the rock can be seen. Beside it is a meditation chamber, and next to that, a water tank has been carved. Water flows from the upper level into this tank, which remains sufficient throughout the year.
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• Historical Information about Bedse Caves:
• While visiting the Bedse Caves, several inscriptions are found.
• One of the inscriptions reads:
“Nāsikāto Anadas Sethīs Putas Pusaṇ Kas Dān”
• Meaning: The donation of these caves was made by the son of Ananda, a wealthy merchant (śreṣṭhī) from Nashik.
• These caves were excavated between the 2nd and 1st century BCE.
• These are Buddhist caves.
• Since this region falls within the Maval area of the Sahyadri mountain range, it remained safe from foreign invasions.
• In the entire country of India, a chaitya and stupa in a highly complete and well-preserved condition can be seen at this site.
• On 26 May 1909, the Government of India declared these caves as protected monuments of the state of Maharashtra.
• During the pre-independence period, under British rule, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency, Henry Curzon, visited this place. At that time, in the name of cleaning, local people scratched and damaged the wall paintings. When this was brought to Henry Curzon’s notice, he felt deeply saddened.
• After 15 August 1947, this site came under the control of the Government of independent India.
Thus, these are the Bedse Caves.
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