Three new caves discovered in Nashik
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently discovered three more caves in Nashik, Maharashtra. The age of these caves has not been confirmed yet. Archaeologists speculate that it may have been the residence of Buddhist monks.
Key points
- Apart from this, archaeologists studying these caves believe that these caves can be older than ‘Trirashmi Caves’.
- It is to be known that about two centuries ago a British military officer had documented ‘Trirashmi Buddhist Caves’ – also known as ‘Pandavaleni’ in Nashik.
- The Trirashmi or Pandavaleni caves are a group of about 25 caves, which were built roughly between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD.
- The cave complex was first documented by the British Captain James Delamine in the year 1823 and is currently a protected site and a tourist destination under the Archaeological Survey of India.
- The Buddhist sculptures and caves found at Nashik are an important early example of Indian rock-cut architecture representing the Hinayana tradition of Buddhism.
- The caves have images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and also have sculptures with designs of Indo-Greek architecture. Like the ‘Kanheri’ and ‘Wai’ caves, special arrangements have been made in these caves for the meditation of the monks.
Source: The Hindu