Kude Leni / Kuda Caves
Location :
Kuda Caves are located in Roha taluka of Raigad district in the state of Maharashtra. On the Murud–Janjira road from Indapur, you will find the Kuda Caves junction (phata). From this point, you can go to visit the Kuda Caves. Here, caves carved into basalt rock can be seen.
Routes to Reach the Cave Group :
Kuda Caves are located at a distance of 15 kilometers from Indapur on the Mumbai–Goa highway.
Mumbai – Pen – Roha – Tambadi Ghosale route – via Khajananivadi – crossing Mandad bridge – through Tala–Murud road, you can reach Kuda Caves.
The distance from Murud Janjira to Kuda is 25 kilometers.
Places to See in the Cave Group :
After moving a little ahead from the Kuda Caves junction, a stone step pathway begins. Through this path, one can reach the cave group. These caves are carved in basalt rock situated in a high hill, using chisel and hammer. These caves were carved between the 1st and 3rd century CE.
At this place, inscriptions related to donations given for different caves can be seen. These caves belong to the Satavahana period. In this region, there existed a trade route from the Ghat regions of Pune and Satara to the ancient port town Mandavas in the Rajapuri creek near Murud Janjira. Later, this place came to be known as Mandad.
Trade from here extended up to Rome. On this trade route, Buddhist preachers, merchants, transporters, gardeners, moneylenders, Brahmins, and Buddhist disciples and devotees, who received royal patronage, contributed donations. Using these donations, artisans carved these caves.
Number of Caves :
A total of 26 caves can be seen here.
Cave numbers 1 to 15 are on the lower side.
Cave numbers 16 to 26 are on the upper side.
Cave No. 1 :
This is a ruined cave. The outer portion has collapsed and the pillars are broken. It was used as a residence for wandering Buddhist monks who spread Buddhism. Inside, there are arrangements for sleeping and sitting. These caves were used for rest and meditation.
There is an inscription stating that Sulasadatta, son of a female officer named Vijaya (Mahabhoja), along with his wife Uttaradatta, grandson Shivabhuti, and granddaughter-in-law Nanda, donated and got this cave excavated.
Cave Nos. 2 and 3 :
These are also viharas. They have small windowed rooms with meditation and sleeping chambers. The inscriptions are damaged, but from the name “Bhutis Lena,” it is understood that these caves were also donated by Shivabhuti.
Cave No. 4 :
This cave is in a ruined condition. It has a partially completed vihara and chaitya hall. There is a mandapa outside and a vihara inside.
Cave No. 5 :
There is a beautiful monks’ residence and a water tank outside called a “paudi.” The water from this tank was used for drinking, bathing, eating, and other purposes by the monks.
There is also an inscription, though unclear, stating that Naganika, sister of Buddhist monks Patimitra and Agnimitra, accepted Buddhism. Her daughter also took initiation. Therefore, Padmunika and other female disciples donated this tank and monks’ residence.
Cave No. 6 :
The outer pillars of this cave are damaged. There is an elephant sculpture on them. Then comes a veranda with a carved railing. Behind the elephant sculpture, a Buddha image is carved.
The Buddha is shown in the Dharmachakra Pravartana posture. Beside him are Padmapani and Vajrapani. Buddha is seated on a lotus, and below are the Naga king, his family, and subjects holding lotus flowers.
The Satavahanas are believed to be of Naga lineage, and this symbolizes their acceptance of Buddhism.
There are also Buddha and deer sculptures in the outer veranda. Inside is a large hall with Buddha images. In one sculpture, Vidyadharas are garlanding Buddha; in another, a Makara is shown above Buddha, symbolizing control over senses. Below, Naga kings are shown serving.
This is a meeting hall with seating arrangements. Below the seats are sculptures of lions, elephants, deer, and humans holding each other’s tails, symbolizing mutual control.
Inside is a sanctum (garbhagriha) with a stupa. The stupa has vedika and harmika structures. The stupa represents Buddha, and circumambulation is performed around it.
An inscription mentions donors such as Sulasadatta, Uttaradatta, Shivam, Vijaya, Shivdatta, Shivpal, etc.
Cave No. 7 :
This is a vihara cave with a veranda outside. It was donated by a Buddhist follower and his family; his son was a physician. The inscription mentions names like Nag, Ishirathi, Shivbhoj, Isipalita, Kushma, Dhamma, Safa.
Cave No. 8 :
This is a chaitya hall. The outer part is destroyed, and there is a water tank outside. According to the inscription, it was donated by the wife of a Brahmin devotee from Aitalu village.
Cave No. 9 :
This cave was donated by Shivaparak, son of a florist (gardener community person).
Cave Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13 :
These are unclear and appear to be viharas.
Cave No. 15 :
This is a chaitya hall. It originally had four pillars, of which two remain partially. Inside, there is a monks’ residence and a central chaitya. It was donated by Ramdatta, son of Ahilas, and his wife during the rule of Mahabhoja Velidatta of Mandad.
Cave No. 16 :
This is a monks’ residence with water tanks outside. It was donated by the nun Sapil, disciple of Vijayanaga, along with Lohit and her disciple Bodhi.
Cave Nos. 17 and 18 :
These are viharas. One was donated by a transport driver and the other by a merchant.
Cave No. 19 :
This is a monks’ residence (vihara).
Cave No. 20 :
This is a chaitya hall with a water tank outside.
Cave No. 21 :
This is a monks’ residence with a water tank outside.
Cave No. 22 :
This is a monks’ residence donated by a caravan driver (sarthavaha), his wife Shivdatta, and their son.
Cave Nos. 23, 24, 25, 26 :
These are also monks’ residences and are in a ruined condition
During fort trekking, you need various essential items. You can explore and purchase them through the links below.
Important Information :
These caves were carved between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE.
The inscriptions are in Brahmi, Sanskrit, and Maharashtri Prakrit scripts.
The caves are carved facing the sea.
The nearby village Mandad was formerly known as the ancient town Mandavas or Mandar.
These caves were excavated through donations from Buddhist followers, disciples, merchants, drivers, florists, officials, ministers, moneylenders, physicians, Brahmins, and Jains.
They were constructed during the Satavahana period in the small region or state of Mandad.
The caves feature sculptures of Buddha, stupas, Nagas, chakras, elephants, and mithuna figures. The human sculptures reflect the clothing, ornaments, and culture of that time.
Chaitya :
A chaitya is a Buddhist temple. It has a veranda outside and a hall with seating arrangements inside, where discussions on religion, contemporary issues, and administration were held. Collective prayer and meditation were performed.
There is a stupa in the sanctum, with a vedika and harmika above it. Relics of Buddha or religious teachers were placed there. These caves function as chaitya temples.
Vihara :
Viharas are residential spaces built for wandering monks. They have arrangements for sitting and sleeping, functioning like rest houses or dharmashalas.
Other Information :
Over time, natural calamities and human interference have caused damage to these caves.
In 1848, British officers brought these caves to notice.
Recently, restoration work has been done and mesh doors have been installed.
These caves are now under the protection of the Archaeological and Tourism Department of India.
Thus, this is the complete information about the Kuda Caves (Kude Leni).
कोणत्याही टिप्पण्या नाहीत:
टिप्पणी पोस्ट करा
ही एक वैयक्तिक माहितीपर वेबसाईट आहे. येथे दिलेली माहिती अभ्यास व संदर्भासाठी आहे.
अधिकृत माहितीसाठी संबंधित सरकारी संकेतस्थळ पाहावे.