Dharashiv Caves are located in the Balaghat mountains in the
Osmanabad district in Maharashtra.
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| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
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| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
After visiting the Paranda Fort, we took directions from
google maps and reached here after travelling for around 75 KM.
Naldurg is another fort in Osmanabad district known for its
fantastic fortification.
NOTE - There is no
provision for food and water here. Only mode of transport is private vehicles.
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| Information on Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
History states that these Caves were built around 5th to 7th
century. They were discovered in the
10th century, by the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. These were originally Buddhist Caves
which were later converted into Jain Caves.
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Stone sculptures at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
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| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
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A tar road, leads to the caves entrance.There are two sets of caves on two hill ranges, facing each
other. We decided to start exploring the caves near the temple premises.
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Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
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| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
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There is grinding stone at the entrance of the temple
premises.
The temple wall looks like a fort wall, made of small sized
rocks. There are two small entrances to enter the temple premises. The temple
kalash (top of temple) had beautiful artwork on it. The temple is dedicated to
Shivguru and had beautiful paintings on the inside of soldiers at the entrance
of the Shivguru.
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Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
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| Statue of Mahavir at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
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The caves are all of different sizes. Grafitti artists have
left their impression on the cave walls.
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| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
Some of the caves were huge, they has symmetrical carved
pillars within them. with a sculpture of Buddha within it.
The cave premises have been re worked upon as certain caves
have been painted and also the pillars have been redone.
There are sculptures on rocks all over the place.
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Temple near Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
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Temple premises of Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
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| Temple top at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
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The caves, which were later converted to Jain Caves, have
statue of Mahavir within them and they are under lock and key. so one can only
take photos from outside.
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| Temple premises at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
We then visited the caves on the other hill range, which are
not in very good condition. I guess no one is looking after their well being.
Though these set of caves looks more rustic in comparison to the ones near the
temple, some of them have beautiful artwork near their pillars.
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Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
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| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
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Both set of caves offer fantastic view of the surroundings,
there is no civilization in a distance. No wonder the monks decided to mediate
here.
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Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
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| That's us at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
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We then decided to visit Ausa Fort.
NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them.
1 comments:
Nice to know about this place.
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