Junnar Caves : Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves in Junnar in Maharashtra

Monday, October 24, 2016

Junnar Caves

There are around 200 Buddhist caves in the hills of Junnar. The largest collection of caves at a single place in the whole of India. These caves belong to the Hinayana (Theravada) phase of Buddhism. They were built between 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD. The Junnar Caves are further divided on the hill ranges. The  Tulja Caves, The Shivneri Caves near the Shivneri Fort, The Manmodi Hills (comprising of Amba Ambika Caves, Bhimashankar Caves and Bhutalinga Caves) and Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves. 

Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

 As we didn't explore Shivneri Caves at Shivneri Fort, we headed out to see Lenyadri Caves. 

The directions to the caves are tagged on google maps. Plus you can ask the locals for directions.

History of Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

The are plenty of options to eat and stay at the base of the Lenyadri Caves. Car park option is also available.

As there is a Ganesh temple in the caves,  there are shops at  the base selling articles of worship, sweets and cold drinks. 

Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves in the hills

A series of zig zag steps leads to the top of the caves, something similar to Bedse and Karla Caves in Lonavala. 

But climbing the steps will test your leg muscles. LOL. 

Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

There is an entry fee to visit the caves. i.e. Rs.15 per person. The cave is open from 6 AM to 9 PM. Entry fee is applicable from 8AM to 6 PM. 

There are plenty of devotees who flock  the Ganesh Temple. 

Lenyadri Caves offers a wonderful view of the surroundings. 

Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

The best among st the caves is converted into a temple. Ganesh Temple. One has to park footwear outside to visit the caves. As we were not in favor of removing our footwear, we didn't visit the temple.


As we were exploring the caves we were confronted by a troop of monkeys. We decided to stand still. Manohar asked me not to make any eye contact with the monkeys. Finally after they left we went ahead to see the remaining caves. 

View from Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

There are plenty of other caves around. But they are not in very good condition. But they can be accessed. The access to the caves on the far end is difficult, but don't be disheartened, work is being carried out so that all the caves can be easily accessed. the laborers informed us that they are going to built a stone pathway and a stoned wall as a boundary. Not sure how much time it will take.

Stupa at Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

We started our return journey at 5:50 PM in the evening. Thanks to Manohar for driving on the highway in the night to reach us safe and sound at 11:15 PM at Ghatkopar. Ashish and me were right in time to board the last metro train to Versova. 

Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

This trip was initially supposed to be a 2 day trip. As we had the car and the caves were close by we managed to wind up in a day's time. Had we gone by public transport, it would have taken us around 2 to 3 days to cover all the caves.

Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

The total cost inclusive of (fuel and refreshments) was Rs.630 per head.
 
Keep reading my blogs for more travel offbeat travel destinations. 

That's Me at Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves

Thanks..

Junnar Caves : Shivneri Caves in Junnar in Maharashtra

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Junnar Caves:

There are around 200 Buddhist caves in the hills of Junnar. The largest collection of caves at a single place in the whole of India. These caves belong to the Hinayana (Theravada) phase of Buddhism. They were built between 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD. The Junnar Caves are further divided on the hill ranges. The  Tulja Caves, The Shivneri Caves near the Shivneri Fort, The Manmodi Hills (comprising of Amba Ambika Caves, Bhimashankar Caves and Bhutalinga Caves) and Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves. 

Shivneri Caves

Shivneri Caves

After exploring Tulja Caves we came back to Junnar ST bus stand for directions to Lenyadri Caves. In a distance I could see the Shivneri Fort. The top of the fort couldn't be seen as it had a thick rain cloud cover around it. It reminded me of Purandar fort. Where Dominic and I were walking in the clouds to reach the topmost point of the fort.

Shivneri Caves

Stupa at Shivneri Caves

We didn’t visit Shivneri Caves. But you can read about them in my blog on Shivneri Fort as I had explored it then. 

Shivneri Caves

We then headed to Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves the last on our Agenda.

Junnar Caves : Amba Ambika Caves in Junnar in Maharashtra

Monday, October 10, 2016

There are around 200 Buddhist caves in the hills of Junnar. The largest collection of caves at a single place in the whole of India. These caves belong to the Hinayana (Theravada) phase of Buddhism. They were built between 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD. The Junnar Caves are further divided on the hill ranges. The  Tulja Caves, The Shivneri Caves are located on the Shivneri Fort, The Manmodi Hills (comprising of Amba Ambika Caves, Bhimashankar Caves and Bhutalinga Caves) and Lenyadri Caves aka Ganesh Caves. 

Amba Ambika Caves

Junnar is around 200 KM away from Mumbai. That is roughly around a 5 hour drive after taking into consideration the traffic and breaks). As we were not sure as to how much time it would take to visit the 200 caves we decided to make it a 2 day trip. 

Aashish, Neha and Manohar joined me in exploring the Junnar Caves. 

Stupa at Amba Ambika Caves

We decided to meet at 5 AM at Ghatkopar Railway station (E). Due to a little delay we kick started the road trip at 5:15 AM. We were greeted by early morning rains. I was hoping to have clear skies else l would get dull photos. Junnar is tagged on google maps, we decided to take the Mumbai Pune Expressway,exit at Talegaon, head over to Chakan to refill the CNG and then head to Junnar via Rajgurunagar, Manchar and Narayangaon. 

The caves are located around the Junnar ST bus depot. 

Vihara at Amba Ambika Caves

As we were approaching Junnar, I noticed a set of caves in the hills. I quickly informed Aashish about the same. We decided to visit the caves first. I checked google maps, these were the Amba Ambika Caves. We quickly exited the Narayangaon-Junnar Road and traveled on the Junnar-Vadaj Road. There are no signboards on this road. So one has to rely on the locals for directions to visit the caves. We asked a couple of locals and they guided us via a small muddy road which goes uphill and leads straight to Amba Ambika Caves. 

Vihara at Amba Ambika Caves

We trekked up the jungle for around 20 minutes to reach the Amba Ambika Caves. A couple of caves have been converted into a temple dedicated to Amba Ambika (painted white). A couple of people were reciting kirtans there, so we didn't want to disturb them.  We decided to go explore the remaining caves. As per Manohar the Amba Ambika comprised of around 40 caves. The caves on the top were not accessible to us. Maybe in the past there was way to reach them. The caves are not in very good condition, except for the temple. 

Inscription at Amba Ambika Caves

One of the caves had nicely carved pillars on them, We didn't go in the cave premises as the floor was covered in moss. There was a Stupa too in it. There is also a inscription on one of the cave walls. Not sure what it meant, as we didn't know the language it was written in. 

Amba Ambika Caves

It took us around 15 minutes to explore the caves. We then asked the priest who had just arrived about the other caves. He informed us that the caves to the left of Amba Ambika are the Bhutalinga Caves and the once in far right are the Bhimashankar Caves.