India is home to stunningly beautiful sacred rivers, eye-catching beaches, powerful statues, lovely Himalayan monasteries. It follows that our country would also have a wonderfully gorgeous world of caves. Indeed we do, indeed we do.
Some containing prehistoric drawings, others have Buddhist, Jain art, or awesome stone murthis. Some 1,500 cave structures have been identified in India.
Madras Regiment Capt John Smith was on a tiger hunt, in 1819, when he cut through dense jungle shrubbery, reaching the banks of the Waghur river and spotted the overgrown entrance to the ancient Ajanta Caves, uncovering this extraordinary, forgotten UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating from 2nd century BC to to 5th century BC, it has gorgeos frescoes & sculpture, many depicting the life of Lord Buddha.
On the Suyal river in Barechhina village, district Almora, are incredible prehistoric rock paintings of the Mesolithic period (10,000 to 8,000 BC). Of human figures, animals including fox-like beasts, hunting scenes, tectiforms (roofed representations probably of dwellings) in red and white hues. One of India’s most significant examples of early rock art, discovered at late as 1968 by archeologist Dr M P Joshi.
On the gently-flowing Krishna River, in Guntur district, built during the Gupta dynasty in 4th-5th century AD, these rock-cut caves have Buddhist, Jain and Hindu elements and features. The massive reclining Lord Vishnu, carved from a single granite block, is plenty striking, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship.
Situated near the Phalgu river in Bihar, the 3rd century BC caves are said to be the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India. Maurya Emperor Ashoka had them created and they were used by Ajivika sect monks, who followed a religious philosophy, separate to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain principles, but from a parallel time.
It's not for nothing that the state of Meghalaya was named for its caves, with many beautiful ones located in the Jaintia, Khasi and Garo Hills, including one of the longest in Asia, Krem Liat Prah (over 34 km), a natural limestone cave and Siju Bat Cave, near the Simsang River.
Near Rajkot are three Buddhist rock-cut limestone caves from the 4th-5th century AD. At their entrance are intricate sculptures of Bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani.
The 500 or so large, almost cosy caves, wreathed in foliage, located in Raisen district, are home to hundreds of plates of prehistoric art on its walls and ceilings -- some as old as 10,000 years. In fact it is evident from these cave paintings that these spacious stone shelters have been home to man from the early Stone Age right through to the end of the Stone Age; from 10,000 to 2,000 years ago.
Constructed in the 1st century BC, by the king of Kalinga, Kharavela, the caves are primarily Jain monastic dwellings, with inscriptions narrating Kharavela’s victories and contributions. The Rani Gumpha or Queen’s Cave is particularly famous for its detailed carvings. They are 3 km from Bhubaneswar.
Near Chambal River, in Jhalawar district, the 50 or so caves, located in laterite rock, have been carved in an architectural style that reflects the strong influence of the Mahayana sect, which flourished in the region during the 8th-9th century AD. Stupas and imposing Lord Buddha statues populate the place.
This black limestone group contains the second largest caves of India, after Meghalaya's wonders. In Nandyala district, Rayalaseema region, it has unique-looking stalactites and stalagmites. Pataalaganga is the deepest point in at 151 ft and the caves extend as much as 10,593 ft in, ie 3.2 km. Abundant quartz deposits are found around here.
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