Shivneri Caves
Shivneri Caves | |
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Location | Junnar |
Coordinates | 19°11′56″N 73°51′29″E / 19.1990°N 73.8580°E |
Geology | Basalt |
The Shivneri Caves are artificial caves dug for
Description
The Shivneri
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.
- Cave 26 – a two-story
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Shivneri hill, east side, seen from Junnar.
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Location of Buddhist caves, including Shivneri Caves, around the city of Junnar.
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Shivneri East face, Group 3.
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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). It is one of the most remarkable Chaityas of the group. Inside are two rounded pillars and tiered capitals, similar to those found in
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]
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Remains of one of the cells of the south face of Shivneri.
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Map and section of the Chaitya.
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Stūpa, cave n ° 47.
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Ceiling paintings, cave n ° 47.
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Pillar of the Chaitya cave.
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The dedicatory inscription of the Chaitya.
Inscriptions by Yavanas
Two Buddhist inscriptions made by
- Yavana inscription of 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
Yavaṇasa
Citasa Gatâna
bhojaṇamatapo
deyadhama saghe
"Gift of a refectory
for the community (
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
References
- ISBN 8170307740.
- ISBN 978-9004185258.
- ISBN 9622012795.
- ^ a b c d Buddhist Cave Temples of India, by RS Mauchope, 1933 p. 59–60
- ^ James Fergusson and James Burgess (1880) The cave temples of India, p. 251
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
Buddha's Holy Sites |