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<div>{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}<br />
{{Infobox Cave<br />
| name = Panhalakaji Caves<br />
| photo =पन्हाळेकाजी_लेणी.jpg<br />
| photo_caption =Panhalakaji Caves<br />
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| map = India#India Maharashtra<br />
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| label = Panhalakaji Caves<br />
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| coords = {{coord|17.645678|73.245072|display=inline, title|region:IN_type:landmark}}<br />
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{{BuddhasHolySites}}<br />
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'''Panhalakaji Caves''' are situated in the [[Ratnagiri]] district of [[Maharashtra]] state, about 160 km south of [[Mumbai]]. This cave complex has around 30 [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] [[cave]]s.<ref name="ET Bureau">{{cite news|last=ET Bureau|title=Quick getaway: Dapoli, Saharanpur, Nanjagud|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-04-18/news/38617616_1_saharanpur-lord-shiva-temples|accessdate=10 November 2013|newspaper=Economic Times|date=18 April 2013|agency=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.}}</ref> The [[Hinayana]] sect began carving caves in 3rd century AD, beginning with the [[stupa]] in the current Cave 5.<ref name=Mitra /> The caves have inscriptions in [[Dhamma]] and [[Devanagari]] script.<ref name="ET Bureau" /> In the 10-11th century AD another Buddhist group, a [[Vajrayana]] sect, established cave 10 with their deities ''Akshobhya'' and ''Mahachandaroshana''; and strengthened their practice in that region. ''Shiva'' and ''Ganpatya'' worshiping started at the site during [[Silahara]] rule.<ref name=Mitra /> There are total 29 caves out of which 28 are situated on the right bank of mou tain stream Kotjai.<br />
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A list of important caves includes:<ref name=Mitra>{{cite book|last=Mitra|first=Debala|title=India Archaeology 1981-82|year=1984|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India|location=New Delhi|pages=97, 98|url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201981-82%20A%20Review.pdf|accessdate=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126135547/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201981-82%20A%20Review.pdf|archive-date=26 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
*Cave 10 has and image of ''Maha-Chandraroshana''. This deity is shown on the [[stupa]] which signifies the connection of Ratnagiri with ancient Buddhist sites of [[Orissa, India|Orissa]].<br />
*Cave 14 has deities of ''Nath Pantha.''<br />
*Cave 19 has shivlinga in it. It has [[Hindu]] scriptures on its ceiling.<br />
*Cave 29 was used by ''Nath Pantha'' and was renamed as ''Gaur Lena.''<br />
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<gallery><br />
File:Cave temple at panhaalekaji.jpg|Pillars<br />
File:Shilppatta.jpg|Frieze with elephants<br />
File:Panhalakaji Caves.jpg|Stone pillar<br />
File:Panhalakaji Caves1.jpg|Stone carvings depicting various [[Mahasiddha]]s<br />
File:Panhalakaji Caves3.jpg|Stone carvings<br />
</gallery><br />
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==How to reach==<br />
*By train: Nearest Rail station is [[Khed, Ratnagiri]].<ref name="ET Bureau" /><br />
*By road: Located on NH 4 highway near [[Dapoli]].<ref name="ET Bureau" /><br />
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==Further reading== <br />
{{cite book |last1=Deshpande |first1=Madhusudan Narhar |author1-link=M. N. Deshpande |title=The caves of Panhāle-Kājī (ancient Pranālaka): an art historical study of transition from Hinayana, Tantric Vajrayana to Nath Sampradāya (third to fourteenth century A.D.) |date=1986 |asin=B0006EPMPS |publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |location=New Delhi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRNuAAAAMAAJ |oclc=923371295 |access-date=5 February 2021 |language=English}}<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
{{Portal|India}}<br />
{{Commons cat|Panhalakaji Caves}}<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131110115132/http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/rat_panhal-kaji-cavesmap_imgbig.jpg Map of Panhalakaji Caves]<br />
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{{Indian Buddhist Caves}}<br />
[[Category:Buddhist caves in India]]<br />
[[Category:Caves of Maharashtra]]<br />
[[Category:Indian rock-cut architecture]]<br />
[[Category:Former populated places in India]]<br />
[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]]<br />
[[Category:Caves containing pictograms in India]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Ratnagiri district]]<br />
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