Pitalkhora Buddhist Caves, Maharashtra

Pitalkhora Buddhist Caves are 3rd century BCE rock-cut caves which are earliest examples of cave architecture in India. These are located on Chandora Hill in Satmala range of Western Ghats in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. 

2. These caves can be reached by train, nearest railway station being Chalisgaon Central Railway Station 30 km away. By road it is 20 km from Kannad town and about 70 km from Aurangabad city. From Ellora caves the distance is about 40 km.

3. The caves are in fact situated in a magnificent deep ravine surrounded by dense lush green tropical forest of Gautala Autramghat Wild Life Sanctuary. During and after monsoon rains it looks beautiful. The Reserve Forest area is shared by Aurangabad and Jalgaon districts as the Sanctuary lies between Satmala and Ajantha hill ranges. Gautala is the name of a village there. 

This place is also called Brazen Glen. A small stream of clear water flows in to the ravine adding to the beauty of the place. Of course the water was used by the ancient Buddhist monks residing here. Water was beautifully managed by appropriate outlets draining water from and off the caves.

3. Since 1953 Archaeological Survey of India is looking after these ancient caves. As visitors have to climb down a steep incline to reach the caves, steel staircases and small bridges have been installed for convenience. There is no restaurant or canteen and  afternoon sun is hot. Please take care acordingly. The visit here is more of an adventure trip! Reaching caves is not easy and therefore visitors are much less than in Ajanta and Ellora caves. Entry is by tickets. Ample parking space is available. Guide not available. Staff of ASI on duty there help you with whatever information they have.

Pitalkhora is a World Heritage Site. 

6. Pitalkhora caves were discovered in 1853 by John Wilson who gave a brief account of two caves. Interesting to note that Pitalkhora has been mentioned by Ptolemy in his book 'Treatise on Geography' as Petrigala (full name of Ptolemy is Klaudios Ptolemaios. He was born in 100 CE and died in 170 CE. He was Egyptian astronomer, mathematician, geographer of Greek descent). Later this name Petrigala was identified with Pitangalya. The name Pitangalya occurs in a Buddhist text 'Mahamayuri'( please see pic 19 below).

7. There are paintings on walls, pillars and ceilings of Chaitya which as of now, are faded. These are of later period 3rd or 4th century CE in Mahayana Buddhist style. There is no statue of Buddha in caves which implies the prevalence of Hinayana Buddhism in the area during the period of construction. 

8. Small inscriptions were also found here which have been dated as of 250 BCE to 3rd and 4th century CE. Two inscriptions mention Pathitana and one inscription mentions Dhanyakataka. Pathitana relates to Pratishthana which was capital of Imperial Satvahanas. Dhanyakataka has since been identified with modern-day Dharnikota in Andhra Pradesh. 

9. Pitalkhora caves are close to and on way to Pratishthana or modern day Paithan. The road from Ujjain > Maheshwar > Burhanpur > Aurangabad > Paithan was part of Dakshinapatha in ancient times. This was a well established trade route branches of which reached ports on Arabian Sea on the one hand and on the other hand towards Amravati in Andhra ( please refer map in pic 20 ). 

Overall it is very good trip for history buffs, students of Buddhism and for all as an adventure outing. Some photos:

   

1. The Caves on right side of the stream

2. Caves on the left

3. Large cave may have served as assembly hall

4. Main prayer hall. Some pillars have been added to mitigate risk. Paintings on ceiling and many pillars have faded 

5. Votive stupa

6. Entrance of staircase for first floor guarded by Dwarpalas. On left wall a hood of Nagaraja with three heads can be seen 

7. Pillars with paintings 

   

8. Unfinished caves

9. This one has two floors. Upper portion is a small cell

10. Weather worn entrance to hall

11. Smaller residential caves

12. In Chaitya cave 

13. Pillar with capital

14. Residence of monks

15. Style matches with the other monuments and caves in Ellora and Ajanta 

16. Notice Board

17. Stream has clear sparkling water

18. View from stairs

   

                                                                                

   

19. Excerpt from ASI Report of 1956 by M N Deshpande
 

      

20. Map from ASI report of 1958 by M N Deshpande