PANDAV LENA CAVES (PATHARDI)

The group of twenty-four caves, locally known as Pandav Lena or Pandava’s Caves is hewn on a vertical face of the hill at a height of nearly 60-70 m from the surrounding plains. Being located on a major ancient trade route connecting the costal port towns like Kalyana, Sopara with inland cities, they received extensive patronage from the ruling families as well as the trading community. The hill on which the caves are hewn was known as Trirashmi as revealed from an inscription in Cave 10. These caves are datable from first century B.C., to the sixth or seventh century A.D. Some of the earlier caves were altered, reconditioned and embellished with the figures of Lord Buddha and Bodhisattvas, and a few new ones were added during second half of occupation. The Satavahanas and Kshaharatas patronised the establishment extensively. They excavated two largest monasteries (Cave 3 and 8) while the common people aided the remaining caves. There are also many water tanks and cisterns in conjunction with the caves. Most of the caves were excavated when Hinayanism was in vogue, the first great division of Buddhist faith. The caves of this phase were originally devoid of images or any representation of Buddha as an object of worship. The interior of these caves is stark plain, in contrast to the heavily ornamented exterior.