Dharashiv Caves

Dharashiv Caves
धाराशिव लेणी

Dharashiv cave main hall
Dharashiv Caves

Location in Maharashtra, India[1]

Coordinates: 18°11′44″N 76°0′36″E / 18.19556°N 76.01000°E / 18.19556; 76.01000Coordinates: 18°11′44″N 76°0′36″E / 18.19556°N 76.01000°E / 18.19556; 76.01000
Country  India
State Maharashtra
District Osmanabad
Dating 5th century AD
Discovery 10th Century
ISO 3166 code IN-MH

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]

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 are 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

Lord Mahaveer at Dharashiv Caves

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.[5][2]

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. 1 2 3 "Dharashiv caves". osmanabad online. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "Osmanabad". Incredible India. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "दयनीय अवस्थेत धाराशीव लेण्या!" (in Marathi). Sakal. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Dharashiv Caves - Historical Background". Official Government website of Osmanabad. 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
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