Nashik Caves (Pandavleni)

The most popular tourist spot and historic site in the city of Nashik are the Nashik Caves. They are popularly known as Pandavleni ("leni" means "cave" in Marathi). The caves are located on a hill called Trirashmi hill, and hence, they are also known as Trirashmi Caves.

Nashik Caves (Pandavleni) is a Buddhist site consisting of 24 caves, which were built between the 1st century BCE and 3rd century CE. The caves represent Indian rock-cut architecture.

Many of the Nashik Caves consist of Buddhist sculptures and inscription, and one cave has Jain sculptures. Barring one Buddhist cave which is a chaitya (shrine or prayer hall), most of the Buddhist caves are viharas (monasteries).

This blog contains 22 photos shot in Nashik.

Location : Nashik District, Maharashtra.

Photos shot in December 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.

Morning mist covers hills. Panoramic photo shot from Trirashmi hill in Nashik.

Trirashmi hill (centre), Nashik is where the Nashik Caves, popularly known as Pandavleni, are located. The only way to reach the caves is climbing by foot.

Cave 2 of Nashik Caves is on the right, while pillars at the entrance to Cave 3, a vihara, are faintly seen further.

Caves 17 to 21 are seen in this panorama. The rightmost one is Cave 17, a vihara. To its left is Cave 18, the only chaitya in Nashik Caves. To its left are Cave 19 (bottom), Cave 20 (top) and Cave 21 (far left), which are all viharas.

Pillars at the entrance of Cave 3, a vihara, in Nashik Caves (Pandavleni) in Nashik.

Cave 10 of Nashik Caves, a vihara.

Carvings of Buddha in Cave 15.

View from inside Cave 9 of Nashik Caves. The city of Nashik is seen downhill.

Buddha in standing and sitting postures in Cave 2, Nashik Caves.

Light creeping through an opening in a vihara (monastery) in Nashik Caves, Nashik. It was used by monks to take rest.

Hindu deity carvings at Nashik Caves. The one in orange is Hanuman.

Interior of Nashik Caves Cave 19, a vihara.

The entrance to Cave 17, a vihara.

Cave 18, the only chaitya (prayer hall) at Nashik Caves, Nashik.

Bases of pillars in Cave 18 of Nashik Caves, Nashik.

A visitor seeks blessing after circumambulating the stupa in Nashik Caves Cave 18.

Interior shot in Nashik Caves Cave 20, a vihara.

Buddhist deity sculptures in Cave 20, a vihara. Buddha is seated inside the sanctum sanctorum on the right.

Buddhist deity carvings outside Cave 23.

Buddha carvings in Cave 23, Nashik Caves. Note how the deities have been demolished and disfigured by bigots belonging to intolerant cults.

Panorama of Buddha and other deity carvings in Cave 24 of Nashik Caves in Nashik.

Panoramic landscape shot from Trirashmi hill, Nashik.