Pitalkhora Buddhist Cave, Maharashtra

Address

Pitalkhora Buddhist Cave, Chandikawadi, Maharashtra 431103

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

Pitalkhora is an isolated monastic complex situated far away from the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) clusters in the Satmala range (Fig.1). It is located in the north-west of Aurangabad district, about 70 km west of Ajanta caves, 40 km west of the Ellora caves and nearly 25 km west of Kannad, the nearest tehsil headquarters in Aurangabad district. Pitalkhora, also popularly known as the ‘Brazen Glen’, houses some of the earliest rock-cut architecture. Fourteen Buddhist caves are located here. Out of the 14 caves, five are chaityagrihas and the rest are viharas.

Puranic Significance

All the caves are from the Hinayana period, but the paintings are dated to the Mahayana period. They are located in Kannad, Maharashtra in Aurangabad. These caves are cut out of various types of basalt rock and some of the caves have deteriorated. Out of the 14 rock-cut caves four of them are chaityas and the rest are viharas. The caves are divided into two groups. One group comprises of ten caves and the second group of four caves. The complex flaunts statues of soldiers, elephants, a deteriorated Gaja Lakshmi icon and a very old harvesting system of rain water. The site of the caves is at a distance of 40 km from the Ellora Temple. The complex even houses unusual sculptures, such as the Yaksa figures. The complex comprises of a chaitya hall, cluster of viharas, small caves in the gorge consisting of stupas. These Pitalkhora Caves are mentioned in Buddhist chronicles, such as Pitangalya of the Mahamayuri and the Ptolemy’s Petrigala. The inscriptions on these caves date from the 250 century B.C. to the 3rd-4th centuries. The historical importance of these caves are that they have been traced back to the Hinayana period of Buddhism and some of the preserved paintings of these caves belong to the Mahayana Period.

Special Features

The cave is now ruined and looks like a natural cavern. However, the skeletons of a few structures—cells, beds, ceilings and doorways—still remain, showing that there were three separate excavations. This cave had six cells, three along the back and three along the right walls. The façades of these caves are completely broken. Cave 2: About 12 metres from Cave 1, Cave 2 is located. The wall which divided Cave 2 from Cave 3 is completely broken, and many parts of the cells have crumbled. From the existing remains, it is possible to conclude that the cave had a long narrow hall with four cells along the right wall and three cells along the left. Cave 3: Cave 3 is the main chaityagriha at Pitalkhora. It is an apsidal, vault-roofed prayer hall 9 m high, 10.7 m wide and 26.2 m long. The cave is divided into a nave, and back and side aisles by a row of 37 pillars running parallel to the walls. A few of the original pillars are completely preserved. Cave 4: Cave 4 is situated next to Cave 3 and is noted for its sculptural work and architec¬tural design. Though it is in ruins now, it must have been a magnificent edifice at the time of its making. Cave 5 :This cave looks almost like a natural cavern, however, a closer study shows that there were five cells on either side of the rectangular hall and four at the back The central two cells of the back wall have inner cells. Cave 6: Next to Cave 5 is Cave 6, which consists of a hall surrounded by cells and a small veran¬da. It is possible to identify remnants of four cells in the back, six to the left and at least five to the right of the hall. Cave 7-8: This cave has a plain hall with cells around it and once had a veranda in front Each of the three inner walls feature five cells. Each cell has a step in front. The cells have plain single benches. Cave 9: Cave 9 consists of a hall surrounded by cells on the three inner sides and a veranda in front. There are 15 cells, five on each side, each with a bench in it. The partition walls of the cells are broken. Cave 10: This is an unfinished apsidal chaityagriha devoid of aisles and pillars inside. The apsidal hall is 5.4 m deep, 2.5 m wide and 3.8 m high. The side walls of the hall rake inwards slightly and the roof is barrel shaped. A stupa is placed at the apsidal end. Its harmika is broken. Cave 11: Cave 11 consists of three flat-roofed chambers, each with a stupa. The first stupa, located opposite the front doorway, is now in a dilapidated state. It had a drum with slightly inclining sides and a dome above carrying the square harmika. The chamber to left (3 m long, 2.2 m diameter) has a central stupa which is now heavily damaged. But the umbrella carved in the ceiling above this is extant. Cave 12: This is a chaitya hall situated a little away to the west from Cave 11.This cave consists of an apsidal hall (6.6 m diameter, 2.3 m high, 4.6 m wide) but has no pillars. The roof is barrel vaulted and is decorated with ribs crossed by rafters, all cut in stone. Cave 13-14: is a chaityagriha, an apsidal hall which is 8.5 m deep, 4.5 m wide and 4.5 m high. Two rows of pillars originally met in the semicircular back, dividing the hall into a central nave and side aisles. The stupa that stood at the apsidal end of the nave is almost ruined.