Gandhar Caves / Pale Caves / Buddhist Caves Group – Historical Information
Gandhar – Pale Leni Samuha Vishayi Mahiti
Buddhist Caves
• Location:
In the Konkan region of Maharashtra state, in Mahad taluka of Raigad district, the Gandhar–Pale cave group can be seen in the hills near the villages of Pale and Gandhar.
• Height:
These caves are carved into basalt rock at an approximate height of 200 to 350 meters above sea level.
• Travel routes to visit the caves:
Mumbai is connected to national as well as international cities by road, railway, and air services. From Mumbai, on the Mumbai–Goa Highway near Mahad town, about two kilometers away, these caves can be seen in the hills near the villages of Gandhar and Pale.
From the international destination of Goa, via Goa – Kankavli – Chiplun – Poladpur – Mahad, and further from Pale–Gandhar along the Mumbai–Goa Highway, this Buddhist cave group can be reached.
The caves can also be visited via the route Pune – Mulshi – Patanas – Tamhini Ghat – Mangaon – Lonere – Dasgaon – Gandhar – Pale.
• Places to see:
From Mahad city, after reaching the Pale–Gandhar cave group by private or hired vehicle, vehicles can be parked at the foothill.
• Stairway path:
From there, a stairway path starts immediately. Walking along this path, one proceeds towards the cave group. Along the way, ruined stupas that have fallen out of the caves are seen erected beside the stairway. By following this stairway path, one reaches the cave complex. First, caves number 28 and 29 are encountered.
• Cave Number 1:
This is a chaitya hall. On the outer side, there are broad pillars. Inside, there is a veranda, followed by a committee hall. At this place, many wandering ascetics and Buddhist monks used to sit and discuss Buddhist philosophy. Inside, there are resting chambers. This structure appears to be approximately 8 feet wide and 53 feet long.
Inside the committee hall is the sanctum (garbhagriha), where there is a reclining pillar with a sculpted image of the Buddha. Beside the Buddha image, broken sculptures of attendants such as Chakrapani, Padmapani, and Ashvapani can be seen. On both sides of the Buddha image, Gandharvas are carved, shown serving the Buddha.
This structure originally belongs to the Hinayana period, and later, with the creation of Buddha images, it appears to have been converted into a temple during the Mahayana period. This is a Mahayana reclining temple. There is open space around for circumambulation of the Buddha pillar. For the passage of light, several windows (gavakshas) are seen at various places.
• Water tank (cistern):
A short distance outside the cave, a rock-cut water tank can be seen. During the monsoon, rainwater flowing down from the hilltop was stored in these tanks. This water was used for drinking as well as for daily needs. These caves were carved using chisel and hammer.
• Cave Number 2:
This cave is not visible anywhere. It appears to have been destroyed.
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| Leni cave 1 |
• Cave Number 3:
There are steps outside the cave. After that, there is a small veranda, and inside, sleeping and meditation chambers have been carved. This is a residential rest structure built for wandering monks.
• Cave Number 4:
The outer hill area leading to this cave is difficult to access. This cave has a beautiful sanctum, and inside, sleeping and meditation chambers can be seen.
• Cave Number 5:
Cave number five appears to be a small assembly hall. Seating platforms run around the interior. Inside, there are sleeping and meditation chambers. A perforated window (gavaksha) is visible between caves number four and five. Whether it was originally made for communication or formed naturally over time is not clear. However, it appears to have served as an effective means of interaction between the monks of the two caves.
• Cave Numbers 6, 7, and 8:
Over the passage of time, these caves appear to have been destroyed. Only a few traces remain.
• Cave Number 9:
Cave number nine is a ruined assembly hall. Inside, there are meditation chambers and sleeping chambers. There is a sanctum inside, which once housed a stupa, now destroyed. Some traces of it still remain. An inscription can also be seen in this cave. On the outer side of the cave, there are water cisterns. In total, three connected cisterns can be seen. These were used for bathing rituals as well as for drinking water.
• Cave Number 10:
This cave has a veranda on the outside, and inside, sleeping chambers and meditation chambers can be seen.
• Cave Numbers 11, 12, 13, and 14:
Caves number 11 and 12 are located on the upper side, on a second level. Their layout appears similar to the other caves. Cave number 13 has pillars on the outer side, and inside there are rest chambers and meditation chambers. Cave number 14 is a vihara.
• Cave Number 15:
The outer portion of this cave has collapsed due to a landslide on the mountain. Inside, there is a stupa. These are ancient Hinayana Buddhist caves. Here, a stupa carved into the wall can be seen. The stupa has a beautifully carved vedika band. It is likely that collective meditation and discussions were held here during that period.
• Cave Numbers 14 and 16:
These two caves are connected to each other. Meditation chambers and sleeping chambers can be seen inside them.
• Cave Number 17:
A water cistern is located on the outer side of this cave.
• Cave Number 18:
This cave is ruined from the outside. Only the inner portions remain. Meditation chambers and sleeping chambers are still visible inside.
• Cave Number 19:
On the outer side, there is an external mandapa. Inside, there is a committee hall, and further inside, rest chambers can be seen. This structure may have been used as a collective meditation hall as well as a teaching chamber. Elder monks may have imparted education to new Buddhist followers at this place.
• Cave Number 20:
This cave is completely ruined.
• Cave Number 21:
A stupa is carved inside this cave.
• Cave Number 22:
This cave is in a ruined condition, and inside it, a vihara can be seen.
• Cave Number 23:
This cave has a veranda on the outer side and a rest chamber on the inner side. Windows (gavakshas) have been provided in the chamber to allow light to enter. On the outer left side, there is a water cistern. The parapet of the veranda is beautifully carved with ornamental designs.
• Cave Numbers 24 and 25:
These caves are in a ruined condition. Inside, the existing halls can be seen. The inner side contains sleeping chambers and meditation chambers.
• Cave Numbers 26 and 27:
These caves are also viharas. Some portions appear to be ruined. In cave number 27, a carved stupa can be seen. Beside it, there is an inscription that provides information about the king who donated here.
• Cave Numbers 28 and 29:
These are vihara caves.
• Important information about the cave group:
This cave group belongs to the rock-cut temple (layana) tradition. After the establishment of Buddhism, the religion spread throughout India. This spread was carried out by Buddhist teachers and their disciples during the reigns of various kings. During different periods, Buddhism received royal patronage.
Many wandering monk-merchants travelled on ancient ghat trade routes, moving on foot (charika), spreading the philosophical teachings of Buddhism. For their stay during the monsoon season and travel periods, contemporary kings, nobles, chiefs, merchants, and farmers provided donations. With the help of sculptors and stone-cutters, beautiful chaityas and viharas were carved here using chisels and hammers.
The structures built here were used for monks’ residence, meditation, acquisition of religious knowledge, and teaching disciples. For this purpose, rooms with windows (gavakshas), stone-cut meditation seats, and sleeping chambers were carved inside the rock.
• Stupa:
During the Hinayana period, many stupas were constructed here. The stupa was worshipped as a symbol of the Buddha. Relics of Buddhist monks were placed at the top of the stupa. This was believed to generate positive energy and facilitate the pursuit of knowledge. Circumambulation of the stupa was also practiced.
In later times, followers of the Mahayana sect began installing Buddha images, and worship of Buddha idols replaced stupa worship. As a result, the caves here display a harmonious combination of sculptural styles from both sects. At present, doors are being installed in some of the chambers.
• Information about the Gandhar–Pale Caves:
These caves are located along the Mumbai–Goa Highway. They were carved approximately 2,000 years ago, during the 1st to 2nd centuries CE.
In ancient times, Mahad was known as a janapada called “Mahadkat,” which is mentioned in the Mohop cave inscription. Gandhar and Pale near Mahad are ancient villages. Trade was conducted through the Savitri River and ancient ghat routes from the Bankot creek and other regions. By sea routes, merchant ships travelled through the Savitri River and further into the Gandhari River, and from there trade continued via ghat routes. Therefore, these villages lay on an important trade route, and these caves were carved along that route.
• Inscriptions:
There are a total of three inscriptions in the Gandhar–Pale caves. The commonly accepted meaning of one inscription is as follows:
This inscription is in the Pali language.
• Other important facts:
These caves were constructed during the first two centuries CE.
As they belong to the rock-cut (layana) architectural tradition, their construction must have taken a long period of time.
The caves were carved between 130 CE and 300 CE, especially during the Satavahana dynasty.
There is a record that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar visited these caves on 27 December 1927.
After India’s independence, these caves came under the control of the Government of Independent India and were registered as ancient heritage monuments.
At present, restoration work of this cave group is in progress. Jointly, the Ekjoot Leni Abhyasak Pracharak Group Maharashtra State and organizations working for the promotion and conservation of ancient Buddhist caves are carrying out restoration, installation of wooden lattice screens, development of outer access paths and stairways, and other beautification works.
This is the complete historical information about the Gandhar–Pale Buddhist cave group.
