Ghatotkacha Caves : Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ghatotkacha Caves

Location of Ghatotkacha Caves in India

Buddha's Holy Sites
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The Four Main Sites Bodh Gaya Kushinagar Lumbini Sarnath
Four Additional Sites Rajgir Sankissa Shravasti Vaishali
Other Sites Ajanta Amaravati Barabar Caves Bharhut Chandavaram Devdaha Ellora Caves Kapilavastu Kesaria Stupa Kosambi Lalitgiri Mathura Nalanda Nasik Pataliputra Pāvā Piprahwa Pushpagiri Ramagrama stupa Ratnagiri Sanchi Udayagiri Tilaurakot Varanasi Vikramashila
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The Ghatotkach Caves are located 18 km to the west of Ajantha, near Jinjala village, India.^[1] The caves include three Buddhist caves, one is a chaitya and two are viharas. The caves were excavated in the 6th century AD, and were influenced by Mahayana Buddhism.^[1]

The caves have an inscription by Varahadeva, a minister of the Vakataka dynasty under King Harishena (r. c. 475 – c. 500 CE).^[2] Varahadeva is also known for a decatory inscription in Cave 16 at Ajanta caves in which he affirms his devotion to the Buddhist faith: "regarding the sacred law as his only companion, (he was) extremely devoted to the Buddha, the teacher of the world".^[2]

The inscription at Ghatotkacha Cave is about the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.^[1] At the same time, Varahadeva proudly affirms his Hindu heritage.^[2] The inscription gives a long genealogy of the donor's family. It includes mention of a person named Soma, who had Kshatriya as well as Brahmana wives.^[3]

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation advises that the caves are only for the adventurous traveller as access is difficult.^[4]

The Ghatotkacha Caves and their environment.

Plan of the main Ghatotkacha cave

Ghatotkacha cave inscription

Ghatotkacha inscription (translation)

External links

Video of the caves

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Ahir, D. C. (2003). Buddhist sites and shrines in India : history, art, and architecture (1. ed.). Delhi: Sri Satguru Publ. pp. 191–192. ISBN 8170307740.
^ ^a ^b ^c Spink, Walter (2006). Ajanta: History and Development, Volume 5 Cave by Cave. BRILL. p. 180. ISBN 9789047411871.
^ Singh, Upinder (2009). History of Ancient and Early Medieval India; From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education.
^ Vision Tourism 2020 – Aurangabad District Perspective Draft Plan (PDF). Aurangabad: Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. November 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2013.^{[permanent dead link]}

v t e Indian Buddhist caves
Andhra Pradesh	Adapur Caves Belum Caves Chandavaram Erravaram Caves Guntupalli Caves Kotturu Dhanadibbalu Pandavula Metta Caves Ramateertham Sankaram Undavalli Caves
Bihar	Indrasala Cave Vulture Peak Saptaparni Cave Lomas Rishi Cave
Gujarat	Dhank Caves Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups Khapra Kodiya Caves Bava Pyara Caves Uparkot Caves Kadia Dungar Caves Khambhalida Caves Sana Caves Siyot Caves Talaja Caves
Karnataka	Aihole Badami cave temples Pandava Caves
Madhya Pradesh	Bagh Caves Dhamnar Caves Saru Maru
Maharashtra	Ajanta Caves Ambivali Caves Aurangabad Caves Bahrot Caves Bedse Caves Bhaja Caves Dharashiv Caves Ellora Caves Mahad/Gandharpale Caves Ghatotkacha Caves Ghorawadi/Shelarwadi Caves Karla Caves Karad Caves Khed Caves Kondana Caves Kuda Caves Nenavali Caves Nasik/Pandavleni Caves Panhalakaji Caves Patan caves Pitalkhora Pohale Caves Shirwal Caves Nadsur/Thanale Caves Vijasan Caves Wai Caves Yerphal Caves In the Mumbai area: Elephanta Caves Jogeshwari Caves Kondivite/Mahakali Caves Mandapeshwar Caves Kanheri Caves In the Junnar area: Lenyadri Manmodi Caves Shivneri Caves Tulja Caves
Rajasthan	Binnayaga Buddhist Caves Hathiagor Buddhist Caves Kolvi Caves