Pandav Leni Caves near Nasik Flyover in Nasik

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Pandav Leni Caves aka Trirashmi Buddhist Caves are located on a hillock very close to the Nasik fly over.

Pandav Leni Caves

That's Me

Directions to it are easily available on google maps. Just that one has to skip the fly over to reach the caves foothill.

After visiting Chambhar Leni caves we headed to see Pandav Leni, the last installment of our Nasik trip.

Carvings at Pandav Leni Caves

Carvings at Pandav Leni Caves

These caves were carved out somewhere between 2nd century BC till 5th century BC. The caves were carved and donated by v arious kings that ruled Nasik. 

Vihara at Pandav Leni Caves

Pandav Leni Caves

The caves, known as Trirashmi Buddhist Caves (also known as Pandav Caves) were carved out from the 2nd century BC till the 5th century BC as a part of donation by the Kings.

Pandav Leni Caves

We parked the car near the foothills of the caves and then started our climb to reach the caves. There are steps built to reach the entrance of the caves. The climb via the steps is not as tiring like the one we had at Chambhar Leni Caves. You will find elderly crowd too at the caves. There is also a trekking route to reach the caves, but it quite steep and straight up. 

Pandav Leni Caves

The stairs are surrounded by a thick green cover, due to which one will not sweat while climbing up. The sound of the birds chirping on the trees is music to the ears. It took us 20 minutes to reach the entrance. There is a fee to view the caves. It is Rs.15 for locals, Rs.200 for foreigners and the timings are from 8:30 AM to 5:30M everyday. The ticket checker will scan the bar code on the ticket with is phone. Technology put to use I should say. 

That's me

The caves are numbered. On the way up, there are signboards informing about the caves. How stupid to place the information on the way up but not next to the caves. Not sure whose idea it was.
The caves are beautifully carved. The art work is just amazing. The cravings are in the league of Ajanta and Ellora Caves near Aurangabad. 

Pandav Leni Caves

There are 24 caves in all to explore here. Most of the caves are beautifully carved. It was rather difficult for me to photograph some of the cravings as it was so close that it hardly fit my phone screen. Hence I shot videos. 

Pandav Leni Caves

Statue of Buddha at Pandav Leni Caves

Some of the caves was Vihara (a large hall), with rooms next to it. In it were three huge statues of Buddha. It was pitch black in there. I wouldn't have known about them, if Thomas had not told me about it. Clicking a photo of the Buddha was a task, as the phone flash was not strong enough.I got some blurry photos. A tip. One has to remove shoes to see this cave. One has to remove footwear to visit the best among st the caves. 

Stupa at Pandav Leni Caves

Stupa at Pandav Leni Caves

Carvings at Pandav Leni Caves

Bed like structures were built in the rocks for the monks to meditate. There was one high up. a staircase was needed to board it. Something very unusual in our trip to caves.

Carvings at Pandav Leni Caves

It makes we wonder as to how these caves were constructed. ' Reverse Engineering' said Manohar. To know more about it , you need to chat with Manohar. He is a great source of information.
Some of the cave have graffiti on them, so I know some idiots were here. 

Pandav Leni Caves

View of Nasik from Pandav Leni Caves

The Stupa, reminded me of the Stupa at Karla and Bhaje Caves, in Lonavala. 

As the caves are on a height it offer a fantastic view of Nasik city. Something similar to the view from Chambhar Leni Caves. 

Pandav Leni Caves

It took us around an hour's  time to see the caves. We then headed back to Mumbai.

Carvings at Pandav Leni Caves

We stopped for some hot vada and pav vada on our way back as we had a long journey to cover.

Carvings at Pandav Leni Caves

Carvings at Pandav Leni Caves

I got to visit three places, Ramshej fort, Chambhar Leni Caves had finally Pandav Leni Caves. Expenses inclusive of all cost us just Rs.630 per head. Now that is reasonable for four.

Pav Vada

People staying at Nasik these are very close. If we can travel all the way from Mumbai to visit these so can you. 

Keep reading my blog for more explorations.

Chambhar Leni Caves near Ramshej Fort near Nasik off the Nasik Gujarat Highway

Friday, October 28, 2016

After visiting Ramshej fort, we traveled by the Peth Road, towards Nasik city to visit the Chamber Leni Caves. The Caves are around 7 KM away from Ramshej Fort. The caves are located off the Nasik Gujarat highway. One can locate the Caves from a distance. The Cave is actually a temple. It is painted white and can be seen from a distance.

Chambhar Leni Caves midway on the hill

There are signboards on the way and we followed them to reach the car parking. Now starts the climb till to the temple. The temple is located somewhere in the middle of the hill.  A series of steps leads to the temple.

The climb looked simple but was tiring. It will test your leg muscles. It took us around 30 minutes to reach the top after taking a lot of breaks. The steps are uniform in size. There is also a railing on either side when the climb is steep. Thanks to the green cover. It protected us from the sun's rays at regular intervals and also saved us from getting dehydrated. The climb reminded me of my trip to Mumbra Devi temple in Mumbra. 

Stairs leading to Chambhar Leni Caves

Chambhar Leni Caves are Jain caves that were built in the 4th century. Chambhar Leni is the portion of the Teerthraj Gajpantha, which is a holy place of the Jains. It is believed that Chambhar Leni was built by the King of Mysore, Chamraj, in the 600 BC, the name of the caves is derived from the name of the King. The temple is painted white. It is newly constructed but not very new also. It has a huge statue of Mahavir in it. The steps near the temple are steep and it is a 85 degree climb. One can enter the temple premises. Food cannot be consumed in the temple premises. The extension of the temple is still ongoing.

Huge Statue of  Mahavir at Chambhar Leni Caves

The temple offers a breath taking view of the city of Nasik in a distance. The panoramic view is just amazing. Thanks to the sun once again for shining brightly.

Panoramic vie of Nasik City from Chambhar Leni Caves

The temple can be seen in 10 minutes. For the religious it might take longer. We then braked outside the temple premises for a short nap. Total piece of mind can be attained here as there is nothing to disturb. 

Chambhar Leni Caves

We started our descent downhill. Getting down the stairs was equally painful on the leg muscles. In 30 minutes we were down at the base. 

That's us

What a climb it was. The panoramic photos paid off for the climb.
We then headed to see the Pandav Leni Caves in Nasik.

Hatgadh Fort in Maharashtra near Saputara Hill Station in Gujarat

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Hatgadh Fort is located on the Saputara Nasik Road. It is located very near to the hill station of Saputara in Gujarat near the Maharashtra Gujarat border.

Hatgadh Fort in Maharashtra near Saputara Hill Station in Gujarat

 We were able to see the fort in a distance, high on the hill top while traveling on the Saputara Nasik Road. One needs to get off the Saputara Nasik Road, There are no boards put up here, and the route is not tagged on google maps, so one has to rely on the locals for directions, there is a entry fee to visit the fort. both for humans and vehicles.

The entry fee was Rs.40 inclusive of all. The guy will also give you a challan (receipt) for the same. The road from here till the top, is a single lane rocky patch, maybe in a couple of months it will be replaced with a tar road. The rocky patch is complemented by the hill on one side and the valley on the other, the zig zag road stops at the main entrance of the fort. This road will test your vehicle suspension.

The fort fortification is not intact but much better than some forts I have visited, It has a small Darwaza to reach the top. There are a couple of caves near the fort entrance. A couple of carvings on the fort walls can also be seen here.

I noticed that certain portions of the fort are being restored. It is a good thing, that someone is working on the restoration of the fort, else in the coming years it might just vanish from the face of the earth.

Hatgadh Fort in Maharashtra near Saputara Hill Station in Gujarat

There are a couple of houses made of stone atop the fort premises, a couple of water tanks, which still had water stored  in them and a tomb. The view from some of the bastion, though they are not intact is breath taking.

The fort offers a breath taking view of  the surrounding, the Saputara hill station in a distance.

Was unable to find the history of this fort on the internet. If you know the history then do share it with me.

It took us around 30 minutes to explore the fort in entirety, we then headed back to the car  to head back to Mumbai.