Shivneri Caves

Coordinates: 19°11′56″N 73°51′29″E / 19.1990°N 73.8580°E / 19.1990; 73.8580
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Shivneri Caves
Shivneri, East face, a cave of Group 2. Junnar, India.
Map showing the location of Shivneri Caves
Map showing the location of Shivneri Caves
LocationJunnar
Coordinates19°11′56″N 73°51′29″E / 19.1990°N 73.8580°E / 19.1990; 73.8580
GeologyBasalt

The Shivneri Caves are artificial caves dug for

Buddhist monks circa the 1st century CE. These are now famous tourist attractions located on Shivneri Hill, about 2 km Southwest of Junnar, India. Other caves around the city of Junnar are: Manmodi Caves, Lenyadri, and the Tulja Caves
.

Description

The Shivneri

viharas or small cells, but there are also chaityas.[3] The caves are scattered on three sides of the west–east-south triangle formed by Shivneri Mountain.[4]

The caves are scattered around the hill, and categorized into several groups: the East group (1, 2 and 3), the West group, and the South group. Among the most important caves, we can mention:

    • Cave 26 – a two-story
      Vihara
    • Cave of 45 – Known as "Bara-kotri", it has 12 cells for resident monks.
  • Shivneri hill, east side, seen from Junnar.
    Shivneri hill, east side, seen from Junnar.
  • Location of Buddhist caves, including Shivneri Caves, around the city of Junnar.
    Location of Buddhist caves, including Shivneri Caves, around the city of Junnar.
  • Shivneri East face, Group 3.
    Shivneri East face, Group 3.
  • Shivneri East face, Group 1.
    Shivneri East face, Group 1.

South Face: Great Chaitya (Cave 47)

Cave 47 is on the south face of Shivneri (19°11′40″N 73°51′23″E / 19.194535°N 73.856492°E / 19.194535; 73.856492). It is one of the most remarkable Chaityas of the group. Inside are two rounded pillars and tiered capitals, similar to those found in

stūpa with a "rail pattern" at the top. It is surmounted by a parasol.[4] The ceiling is painted in color, consisting of squares in which are concentric circles of color (orange, brown and white).[4]

The chaitya has on its outer face the dedicatory inscription of a merchant:

"A pious gift of charity, designed for the sanctuary, for the good and happiness of all, by Virasenaka, distinguished head of the family, confessor of Dharma"

— Inscription of the great Chaitya.[5]
  • Remains of one of the cells of the south face of Shivneri.
    Remains of one of the cells of the south face of Shivneri.
  • Map and section of the Chaitya.
    Map and section of the Chaitya.
  • Stūpa, cave n ° 47.
    Stūpa
    , cave n ° 47.
  • Ceiling paintings, cave n ° 47.
    Ceiling paintings, cave n ° 47.
  • Pillar of the Chaitya cave.
    Pillar of the Chaitya cave.
  • The dedicatory inscription of the Chaitya.
    The dedicatory inscription of the Chaitya.

Inscriptions by Yavanas

Yavana
king.

Two Buddhist inscriptions made by

Indo-Greeks) were found in Shivneri.[6] They suggest the involvement of men of Greek descent with Buddhism in India, as well as the continued presence and gradual acculturation of the Greeks in India in the 1st century CE.[6]

Yavana inscription of cave 54
Yavana inscription, Cave 54

Yavanasa Irilasa Gatâna deyadhama be podhiyo
"Donation of two tanks by the Yavana Irila, in the name of the Gatas "[6]

The inscription starts with the Buddhist symbol of the swastika (non-inverted), just before the word "Yavanasa".

Yavana inscription of cave 67
Yavana inscription, Cave 67.

Yavaṇasa
Citasa Gatâna
bhojaṇamatapo
deyadhama saghe
"Gift of a refectory
for the community (

Sangha)
from Cita the Yavana,
on behalf of the Gatas."[6]

Brahmi ( ). Here the "na" is written "ṇa" , with the retroflex consonant
"ṇ", which is also a common variation of "n".

On this second inscription, the Buddhist symbols of the triratna and of the swastika (reversed) are positioned on both sides of the first word "Yavanasa".

Other similar inscriptions mentioning donations from Yavanas have been found at

Pandavleni Caves, as well as Manmodi Caves.[7]

References

  1. .
  2. .
  3. .
  4. ^ a b c d Buddhist Cave Temples of India, by RS Mauchope, 1933 p. 59–60
  5. ^ James Fergusson and James Burgess (1880) The cave temples of India, p. 251
  6. ^ a b c d The Greek-Indians of Western India: A Study of the Yavana and Yonaka Buddhist Cave Temple Inscriptions, 'The Indian International Journal of Buddhist Studies', NS 1 (1999-2000) p. 87–88
  7. ^ The Greek-Indians of Western India: A Study of the Yavana and Yonaka Buddhist Cave Temple Inscriptions, The Indian International Journal of Buddhist Studies, NS 1 (1999-2000) pp83-109