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Description and Chronology of Caves DHUMALWADI OR NANDAGIRI, KOREGAON TALUKA, SATARA
DISTRICT (17°47'N; 74 07'E)
The village of Dhumalwadi, now known as Nandagiri after the hill near it, is situated about 3 km north of the Satara road railway station. To the west of the village is a hill with the famous fort of Nandagiri or Kalyangad. On the top of the hill, near the first fortification wall is excavated a cave. The ascent to the hill is slightly difficult, as the hill is very steep. A path, with ancient steps at places, leads up to the fort.
The cave is mentioned by Burgess and Cousens (1897:28).
Description
This 'cave' is actually a long tunnel leading to a room with sculptures. Entering the first gate of the fort, a stair of around twenty steep steps leads down to an opening, cut in the perpendicular scarp. This opening leads to about 35m long dark and irregular tunnel. It is 'F' shaped, the first arm being about 20 m long and the second being about 5m long. The height of the tunnel is about 1.5 to 2m. The tunnel is very dark. In fact, it is a water reservoir and remains filled with water almost throughout the year.
Sculptures
On the western wall of the second arm of the tunnel is carved an icon of Supārsvanatha and a small chauvisi. At the end of the tunnel is a modern, loose icon of Dattatreya; while opposite Supärsvanatha is another recent icon of a goddess. Now a platform is built in front of Parsvanatha figure.
1. Supārsvanātha: around 0.75 m high
This figure is seated in ardhapadmāsana on a plain oval-shaped pedestal. Above the head is a five-hooded snake. The head was reported to be broken off (Burgess, 1897: 28). The icon was renovated in 1930.
la. Chauvisi: around 0.15 m high
The mulanayaka seated in padmāsana. To his right is a smaller standing Jina figure, while around him are small, seated figures of Jinas. In fact, there are total twenty Jina icons and not twenty-four.
Date
Both the icons are very simple. The main icon of Supārsvanatha has been renovated recently, so the stylistic comparisons are very difficult. The only clue is the obvious relation of this water cistern with the fort and the logical assumption that the icon was carved when the fort came into existence. The fort is said to have been built by Bhoj Raja (1178-1193 CE) (Naravane 1995: 156). Therefore, it can be assumed that the icon was carved sometimes in the late 12th century CE or possibly a little later.
