Agashiv Caves — Attraction in Maharashtra

These caves has been in use until  1600AD. You have to climb 354stone stairs to visit the starting portion of these 66 rock cut caves. These were sculpted specially for rainy seasons in Buddhist  monastery.In the rainy season, staying in one place for 4months is called "Varshavas"

After the death of Gautham Buddha, As we know that  two types of Buddhism came into picture.Mahayana and Hinayana sectors. Hinayana was people who believed that an individual must  find its own path to Salvation.

These caves belongs to that hinayana faith.These 18caves includes  5Stupas,  Remaining Viharas (Which means Monks Residents).These caves were dug for  Rainy season rest.

One of the caves is named after a"Chokamela",Who stayed in the caves for about 8years. Chokhamela was a saint in 14th century, who belonged to the untouchable caste in Maharashtra. He was one of the first low cast poets in India. Upper castes didn't allow him to stand in the door of a temple.Now his tomb is in front of the vitthal temple,Pandharpur. In Earlier 20th century, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar attempted to visit the temple.But he was stopped at the entrance because of the same reason.These caves composed of aghashiv, Bhairava, Dongrai caves.

But I'm pretty sure that it would be like feast for nature lovers,Speacily during sunrise and sunset. You can see the beauty of karad from the top...

a day agoNEW The Aagashiv caves also known as Karad Caves form a group of 66 Buddhist caves located about 5 kilometers south west of Karad city and sub district of Satara district, near the village Jakhinwadi overlooking the Koyna River. The caves are located on Agashiv hill and some caves are scattered around Jakhinwadi. The caves facing south are important caves. There are caves in the valley as well. One of the caves is named after Chokhamela who lived there for about 8 years. These caves are carved in first century BC and are very simple. Cave 5 - have earliest Buddhist symbols Cave 30- Buddhist symbols The inscription describes the gift by Sanghmitra, Son of Gopala. On the top of hills there is there is temple of Shiva built-up in the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj era. Here one annoying thing is that some of old caves don't have any entrance but now people are constructing entrance. Another thing is that even though its Buddhist Caves but some of the Caves are having other gods sculptures included...

One of the most prominent historical place which has been ignored for long time. Must visit place if you are around Karad Satara or Kolhapur. From NH4 its 2.5 km. And a steps ahead to cave's... You will feel like Shaolin temple steps... a beautiful scenery every corner. Cave's starts from number 1 to 23. Almost all caves has covered with wooden doors and windows... Which don't suite to that place. Number 6 cave which has Ashok chakra and beautiful Stupa inside. Every cave has water tanke outside of it. Water is very clean. Some of the Buddhist cave's are destroyed by some ignorant people. ASI should intervene and maintain the decorum of the place. You can sit in Vihara for meditation. Enjoy the peace and the bird's singing... Keep the place clean and neat. Do not litter or spit. Do not draw your name or any graphity or break the...