Shana Dungar Buddhist Caves, Gujarat

Address

Shana Dungar Buddhist Caves, Shana Vankiya, Una Taluka Gir Somnath district, Gujarat 362530

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

The Shana Dungar Buddhist Caves or simply called as Sana Buddhist Caves are located in Shana Vankiya in Una Taluka, Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. Vankiya is located which is located 28 km far, north-easterly to Una town, about 38km south-easterly to Tulsishyam and 35km west of Rajula. “Sana Buddha Caves” is the artificial cave carved out of the rock and excavated by Buddhist monks. Actual cave complex of 62 caves scattered on a hill consisting of a stupa, chaityas, pillows, and ottomans.

Puranic Significance

The rock cut carving includes 62 caves spread over the hill consisting stupas, chaityas, pillows and benches. The halls of few caves are dome-shaped and pillared. According to historians, the construction of caves had started by the 2nd century BC in Western India. Other historians have claimed that the architecture was constructed around the 1st century CE. Sana Caves are undoubtedly the oldest Buddhist caves in western India and boasts of rock cut pillars, stupas, benches, chaityas, viharas, a pillared hall and various domes. The shelters have been carved at various levels on and around a hillock. Some of the best archaeological symbols representing the preaching Buddhism can be seen at Sana Caves. Footprints of Buddhism in Gujarat can be traced back to 270 BC. This was the period when Ashoka the Great ruled Saurashtra and was striving to spread the teachings and philosophy of Gautam Buddha across his empire.