Manmod Caves, Maharashtra - Informative & researched article on Manmod Caves, Maharashtra
 Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articlesIndian Monuments


in  
 Art & Culture|Entertainment|Health|Reference|Sports|Society|Travel
Forum  | Free E-magazine  | RSS Feeds  
Indian Monuments : Indian Monuments |Palaces of India |Indian Buddhist Sites |Arts in India |Historical Buildings in Rajasthan |Indian Historical Monuments |World Heritage Monuments in India |Indian Religious Monuments |Indian Regional Monuments |Indian Monasteries
Home > Art & Culture > Indian Monuments > Indian Regional Monuments > Monuments of Maharashtra > Manmod Caves
Manmod Caves, Maharashtra
Manmod Caves in Junnar region, Maharashtra, contains 45 rock cut temples with Buddhist and Jain artworks. The caves are dividede into 3 parts, Bhimasankar, Ambika and Bhutling.

 Manmod Caves in Maharashtra, is a group of 45 caves that are rock cut temples of the Jain and Buddhist religion, that were created between 1st and 3rd century AD. There are almost 200 caves around the Junnar region, amongst which the Manmod Caves comprises the main part. The Lenyadri Caves, Tulja Lena and Shivner Caves are also in that region. There are various remnants of artefacts and paintings in the caves. There are also paintings from the 10th - 11th centuries that can be found in Cave II.

Manmod caves in Junnar, which was a major trade hub of the 1st century AD, mainly housed Buddhist monasteries that were made roughly around 2000 years ago. These were designed according to the Hinayana traditions. The caves are made in 3 segments or groups, Bhimashankar Group, which comprises of 10 caves, is in the eastern region, the Bhutling Group, which comprises of 16 caves, is on the north-west side, and the Ambika Group, comprises of 19 caves, is in the middle.

Bhimasankar Group
Bhimasankar Caves are situated near the Dudhare Hill, in the east. Cave I was made as lodging for monks, called layana. There is a verandah with 3 different cells. Cave II was created as a shrine or Chaitya, and has an incomplete structure of a woman in a seated position, along with an abandoned shrine and two pillars. The cave was plastered and contains paintings on the ceiling of verandah and hallway. Cave III has dinning area and a verandah. There is also a reservoir in the front area. Cave IV contains a verandah along with two decorated pillars, as well as cell. The cave is mostly unfinished. There is an inscription in Cave VI that was made by Ayama, prime minister of King Nahapana in 124 AD. There is a row of seven cells in Cave VIII. Cave X contains an unfinished cell and a verandah.

Ambika Group
The caves in the Ambika Group are situated in the north of the Bhimasankar Group, almost 250 m away. As Cave XVI hosts a statuette of goddess Ambika, thus it was named after the goddess. There are seven reservoirs, which are still in use till today. Cave XI is basically a vihara and is partly damaged. There is a verandah in Cave XII but this is also an unfinished vihara. Cave XIII is in similar state. There is a hallway along with two cells in Cave XIV, and is damage to some extent. It is assumed that Cave XV was utilised to house cattle. Cave XVI is a Jain monastery, and there is sculpture of goddess Ambika, of the Jain religion. There are five cells and a huge verandah; there are more sculptures from the 10th - 11th century. Statues and figures of gods like Tirthankar, Chakreshvar, Adinath and Neminath are also present. Cave XVIII and Cave XIX are mostly damaged and collapsed, and contains a cell and verandah. Other caves consist of artworks from Buddhist religion as well. There is also a shrine that was made around 50 AD. Most other vcaves house shrines, and consists of a verandah and hallway. There are remnants of plaster made by paddy and mud.

Bhutling Group
The caves in the Bhutling group are north-east facing and are almost 200 m away from the previous group. Cave XXX is a vihara, but is unfinished. Cave XXXII is a lodging area and contains four cells. This part is badly ruined. Cave XXXIII is also a vihara and has seven separate cells. Cave XXXIV has a number of four cells and a verandah. Cave XXXVI which is also a vihara, has a verandah and four cells. The cells can be reached via a door. The inner area is decorated with various artworks, like a Buddhist wheel. Cave XXXVIII is an uncompleted chapel, which is the biggest structure in the Bhutling Group. There is a patio right above the verandah, decorated with sculptures of flowers, animals and Lakshmi and other figures. Cave XL is mostly malformed, and only cells are present. The other caves are further apart from the main group. These caves mostly contain a verandah, an incomplete cell and were mainly used for lodging purposes.

(Last Updated on : 14/07/2011)
 
 
Shaniwar Wada Ellora Caves Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Elephanta Caves Gateway of India Monuments Of Ahmednagar
Monuments Of Aurangabad Daulatabad Fort Monuments Of Mumbai
Religious Monuments Of Mumbai Monuments Of Kohlapur Monuments Of Mahabaleshwar
Monuments Of Nagpur Panhala Fort Paranda Fort
Pratapgad Fort Purandar Fort Monuments Of Pune
Raigarh Fort Religious Monuments Of Khuldabad Monuments of Satara
Sinhagarh Fort Vijayadurg Khaneri caves
Karla Caves Pitalkhora Caves Sita Gumpha
Bassein Fort Bhaja Caves Karsamble Caves
Kuda Caves Manmod Caves Shivneri Caves
Thanale Caves Tuljalena Caves Kanheri Caves
Jogeshwari Caves Pandavleni Caves Mandapeshwar Cave
Bedse Caves Mahakali Caves Aurangabad Caves
Mandangad Fort Bhairavgad Fort Avchitgad Fort
Akola Fort Alang Fort Arnala Fort
Prabalgad Fort Mahim Fort Sangram Durg
Belapur Fort Ghodbunder Fort Yeshwantgad Fort
Kolaba Fort Korigad Fort Visapur Fort
Tikona Fort Tung Fort Mahuli Fort
Karnala Fort Bhushangad Fort Chavand Fort
Sion Hillock Fort Riwa Fort Sudhagad Fort
Khanderi Fort Underi Fort Udgir Fort
Vishalgad Fort Madh Fort Vairatgad Fort
Ahmednagar Fort Gopalgad Fort Sewri Fort
Gawilgarh Fort Malhargad Fort Mazagaon Fort
Manikgad Fort Mangalgad Fort Lingana Fort
Jivdhan Fort Kamalgad Fort Ratangad Fort
Ambagad Fort Narayangad Fort Pargad Fort
Recently Updated Articles in Indian Monuments
Religious Monuments of Bijapur
Religious Monuments of Bijapur were mostly constructed for Islamic worship, and chief among them is the Gol Gumbaz.
Historical Monuments of Bijapur
Historical monuments of Bijapur are found mainly in the form of palaces or `mahals` that were constructed primarily under the rule of the Adil Shahi dynasty.
Cave 4
Cave 4 of Badami cave temple is dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras. It was build much later than the previous caves.
Cave 3
Cave 3 of Badami cave temples is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is considered as the biggest among the four caves of Badami cave temples.
Cave 2
Cave 2 of Badami cave temples was constructed before 578A.D. This cave is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
Forum
Forum on Indian Monuments
Free E-magazine
Subscribe to Free E-Magazine on Art & Culture
 
 
Manmod Caves, Maharashtra - Informative & researched article on Manmod Caves, Maharashtra
Sitemap
Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of
Jupiter Infomedia Ltd.