Dharashiv Caves
Dharashiv Caves | |
|---|---|
| Dharashiv cave main hall Dharashiv cave main hall | |
Dharashiv Caves is located in India Dharashiv Caves Dharashiv Caves Location in Maharashtra, India[1] Show map of IndiaDharashiv Caves is located in Maharashtra Dharashiv Caves Dharashiv Caves Dharashiv Caves (Maharashtra) Show map of Maharashtra | |
| Coordinates: 18°11′44′′N 76°0′36′′E / 18.19556°N 76.01000°E / 18.19556; 76.01000 | |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Dharashiv district |
| Dating | 5th century AD |
| Discovery | 10th Century |
| ISO 3166 code | IN-MH |
Dharashiv caves are the nexus of seven Sramanic caves located 8 km away from Osmanabad city (officially Dharashiv), 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
[edit ]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 original the Jain caves as there are many Digambar teerthankar idols in Khadagasan and Kayotsarg position .[5]
Caves
[edit ]
There are seven 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
[edit ]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 10th century some caves were constructed for Jain monks by Rashtrakuta kings.[7] [8]
See also
[edit ]References
[edit ]- ^ "Location of Dharashiv Caves, Osmanabad". WikiMapia. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ a b c "Dharashiv caves". osmanabad online. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "Osmanabad". Incredible India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "दयनीय अवस्थेत धाराशीव लेण्या!". Sakal (in Marathi). 24 July 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Dharashiv Caves - Historical Background". Osmanabad. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "ऐतिहासिक धाराशिव लेण्यांचे अस्तित्व धोक्यात" (in Marathi). Lokmat. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "धाराशिव लेणींचा ठेवा : दीड हजार वर्षांचा इतिहास". Divya Marathi. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "Dharashiv Caves".