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Description and Chronology of Caves
The iconographic programme of Cave II is different. Here the panels of Parsvanatha-Bahubali are absent. The figures of Sarvānubhuti-Ambika, though present, are very small in size. While Sarvānubhūti is carved on the doorjamb of the hall. Ambika is carved on the left sidewall. A small icon of Sarvānubhuti was noticed on the back wall of the hall, but has now disappeared. The placement of these icons suggest they were not meant to be attending upon a particular Jina or the main icon in the shrine, but were carved as independent deities. Apart from these there is a goddess figure, which is difficult to identify. All these features indicate a slightly late date. Since no old photographs of this cave are available, it is difficult to compare the sculptures stylistically. Some of the Jinas are in ardhapadmāsana, while some are in padmasana. It is difficult to say how many changes have been made recently.
However, it is clear that Cave I was excavated first, most probably in late 9th century, following the caves at Ellora. Cave II is later and was probably excavated in 10th century CE.
PANDU LENA, NASIK TALUKA, NASIK DISTRICT (19° 56' N; 73° 45' E) About 8 km south of Nasik town, the Trimbak-Anjaneri range of hill ends in three isolated hills, 180m to 330m (600 to 1100ft) above the plain. In the highest and the eastern most hill is a group of 24 Buddhist caves of both Hinayana and Mahayana sects. These caves are locally known as 'Pandu Lena' or 'Pandav Lena'. Of these, Cave XI was converted to Jainism, sometimes in the early mediaeval period.
This group of caves has been mentioned in the earlier reports, though the conversion of the present cave to Jainism was no referred to (Wilson 1947-48: 62-65, Burgess 1877: 19). Fergusson and Burgess first noticed the Jaina icons in the cave (1880: 270-271). However, detailed description and critical date of the cave were provided by Del Bonta (1976-77: 65-68).
Description
The cave facing northeast was originally a cluster of three cells with a verandah in front (Fig. 44a) and is a typical vihāra of dated to late 2nd-early 3rd century CE (Nagaraju 1981: 269). It is cut at a much higher level than the adjacent Cave X or any other cave at the site and so eight high steps lead to the cave. The verandah is around 2.6m wide in the front and 3m in the back. It is about 0.75m deep at one end and 0.85 at the other. There is a bench in the right or eastern side of the verandah. The rock on this side has partially collapsed so the bench is broken and irregular. The ceiling is around 2.26m high. On the left back wall of the verandah, near the ceiling is an inscription of two lines in early Brahmi script recording that the original Buddhist vihāra was the benefaction of Ramanaka, the son of Shivamatra, the writer. On the facade of the cave is a vēdika' band. The door leading to the cell inside is about lm wice and plain with grooves for door fitting.
The inner cell is about 3.75m wide in the front and 3.7m in the back and is around 2.1m deep. In the back wall of this cell at the right end is a cell with a bench running in its back and right sidewall, while in the right sidewall of the main cell is another cell.
