Pandavleni Caves are a group of caves, on a tableland, atop the Trivashmi Hill in
Maharashtra. Situated 8 km south of
Nasik, these 2000-year-old caves house the idols of
Buddha and
Bodhisattvas. These caves were also the abode of Jain saints and the interiors were used as a popular meeting place for sermons.
The caves have an excellent arrangement for water, with skillfully chiseled water tanks, exquisitely carved into the rocks. Cave 3 is a large 'Vihara' noted for its magnificent sculptures. Cave 10 has a similar design that of Cave 3, but it is much older and finer in its detail. It is contemporary to the Karla Cave near Lonavala. Cave 18 is a 'Chaitya', which is also thought to be as old as the Karla Cave. Its elaborate façade and stunningly beautiful carvings are noteworthy.
