Jaina Rock Cut Caves In Western India Part 01

Author(s): Viraj Shah
Publisher: Agam Kala Prakashan

Page 36

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List of Jaina Caves in Maharashtra
Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India
Osmanabad District
1. Dharashiva, Osmanabad taluka (18° 11' N; 76° 1′E)
About 6.43 km northeast of Osmanabad or Dharashiva as known in ancient times, there are seven caves, excavated in a ravine, four in the northern side, facing west and three on the opposite side facing the northeast. Of these, four are definitely Jaina.
Beed District
2. Ambejogai, Ambejogai taluka (18° 41'N; 75° 24′E)
Just outside the town of Ambejogai, on the northwest, along the river Jayanti are three caves, of which one is Jaina.
Latur District
3. Kharosa. Ausa taluka
About 1.2 km east of Kharosa village and 69.2 km east of Dharashiva, there is a low, but steep hill of laterite. At the south end of the hill, a number of caves have been excavated facing west. Of these, one cave is Jaina, now converted to Buddhism by turning the icon of Jina into Buddha, while the rest are Brahmanical.
Thane District
4. Vase or Washale, Mokhada taluka (19° 52'N; 73° 21'E)
The village of Vase is situated about 8 km south of Mokhada. The cave is cut on the northern slope of a small hill close to the village.
Jalgaon District
5. Patne, Chalisgaon taluka (20° 30'N; 74° 25′E)
The village of Patne lies about 16 km southwest of Chalisgaon town, at the entrance to one of the chief passes through the Satmala hills. The hill fort of Kanhar overhangs the eastern side of Patne village. On the western side of the fort, three caves are excavated, of which one is Jaina.
Dhule District
6. Bhamer, Sakri taluka (20° 30'N; 75° 05′E)
Bhamer village is 48.2 km west by north from Dhule. It is situated at the foot of the fortified hill. There are some plain cells and three caves in the fort. In the hill, to the west of the village is a Jaina cave.
Nandurbar District (formerly part of Dhule District) 7. Mohida-tarf-haveli, Shahada taluka (21° 35'N; 74° 29′E)