Pandavleni Caves

The Pandavleni Caves are a group of 24 rock-cut Buddhist caves carved into a hillside about 8 km south of Nashik, dating from the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD. Despite the misleading name — which local legend attributes to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata — these are unambiguously Buddhist monuments, with viharas (monastery halls), stupas, and prayer halls (chaityas) with horseshoe-arch facades characteristic of early Buddhist architecture.

The caves are in excellent condition and the climb to them offers good views across the Nashik plain. Cave 18 has a notable chaitya hall with a large stupa inside; Cave 3 contains inscriptions recording donations from various patrons. An ASI-maintained trail leads between the caves. Allow two hours for a thorough visit.

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A story
The caves were carved during the Hinayana phase of Buddhism, before figurative representation of the Buddha became common — so instead of Buddha images, the sculptors depicted the Dharma Chakra (wheel of the law) and the Bodhi tree as symbols. The shift to Mahayana Buddhism, with its more elaborate iconography, happened elsewhere; these caves preserve the earlier, more austere tradition intact.