Leni the Caves of Maharashtra Abstract

LENI the Caves of Maharashtra Pramod T. Hanamgond Department of Geology, G.S.Science Degree College, Tilakwadi, BELGAUM 590 006 Karnataka Email: [email protected] Abstract There are over 1200 caves in India that are carved in variety of rock formations of which over 800 caves most of them carved in basalt of Deccan Volcanic Province of Maharashtra are available as a favorite tourist places. Amongst these caves, Ajanta-Ellora caves of Aurangabad District and Elephanta caves off Gateway of India, Mumbai, are quite famous and lacs of visitors including foreigners visit these caves every year. In the present paper, an attempt is made to highlight the locations with photographs, importance, accessibility and geological aspects of these caves. The caves in Maharsahtra date back to as early as first century BC. Most of these caves were used as the viharas (hall) and chaityas (pillared religious caves) by Budhist, Hindu and Jain priests; and showcase intrinsically fine arts and sculptures of the historical glory of the past reigns. The Vishnu temple of Ellora in Aurangabad district, is an example of highly intelligent architectural and sculptural wonder of the world. The temple here is sculptured from Shikhar (Spire) to base and is a monolithic architecture. The rock here is basalt with veins secondary minerals and zeolites, making the carving a tough job. The carvings can be easy in Marble, soapstone, steatite and sandstone but quite difficult in basalt. The caves are carved in the massive basalt flows using the flow beds as well as grain or texture. At places there are two or three stories of caves. In some places, one need to use hundreds of rock cut steps to reach the caves. At places they are dangerously steep winding valley slopes. They are so meticulously built that even a heavy rainfall also does not harm the caves. This itself indicates the artists were highly intelligent and new geological aspects very well. Some of these have been taken under UNESCO world heritage sites. It is believed that the team who had carved the Kailash Temple at Ellora built the Shiva Temple at Elephanta too. Among others the caves of Kanheri, Mahakali, Dharapuri in Mumbai; Karle, Naneghat, Lenyadri, Bhaje leni in Pune; Nageshwar, Agashiv-Jhakinwadi in Satara, Gandharpali in Raigad, Ganpati Gadad in Thane districts are famous. All these caves are built in basaltic rocks belonging to Deccan Volcanic Province. Key Words: Leni, Caves, Basalt, Deccan Volcanic Province, Maharashtra. Submitted for oral presentation at workshop and Brainstorming session on Geoheritage at Andhra University during 30-31 May 2013

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Abstract of paper to be presented at workshop and Brainstorming session on Geoheritage at Andhra University during 30-31 May 2013.

Transcript of Leni the Caves of Maharashtra Abstract

LENI the Caves of Maharashtra

Pramod T. Hanamgond

Department of Geology, G.S.Science Degree College, Tilakwadi, BELGAUM 590 006 Karnataka

Email: [email protected]

Abstract

There are over 1200 caves in India that are carved in variety of rock formations of which over 800 caves most of them carved in basalt of Deccan Volcanic Province of Maharashtra are available as a favorite tourist places. Amongst these caves, Ajanta-Ellora caves of Aurangabad District and Elephanta caves off Gateway of India, Mumbai, are quite famous and lacs of visitors including foreigners visit these caves every year.

In the present paper, an attempt is made to highlight the locations with photographs, importance, accessibility and geological aspects of these caves.

The caves in Maharsahtra date back to as early as first century BC. Most of these caves were used as the viharas (hall) and chaityas (pillared religious caves) by Budhist, Hindu and Jain priests; and showcase intrinsically fine arts and sculptures of the historical glory of the past reigns. The Vishnu temple of Ellora in Aurangabad district, is an example of highly intelligent architectural and sculptural wonder of the world. The temple here is sculptured from Shikhar (Spire) to base and is a monolithic architecture. The rock here is basalt with veins secondary minerals and zeolites, making the carving a tough job. The carvings can be easy in Marble, soapstone, steatite and sandstone but quite difficult in basalt. The caves are carved in the massive basalt flows using the flow beds as well as grain or texture. At places there are two or three stories of caves. In some places, one need to use hundreds of rock cut steps to reach the caves. At places they are dangerously steep winding valley slopes. They are so meticulously built that even a heavy rainfall also does not harm the caves. This itself indicates the artists were highly intelligent and new geological aspects very well.

Some of these have been taken under UNESCO world heritage sites. It is believed that the team who had carved the Kailash Temple at Ellora built the Shiva Temple at Elephanta too.

Among others the caves of Kanheri, Mahakali, Dharapuri in Mumbai; Karle, Naneghat, Lenyadri, Bhaje leni in Pune; Nageshwar, Agashiv-Jhakinwadi in Satara, Gandharpali in Raigad, Ganpati Gadad in Thane districts are famous. All these caves are built in basaltic rocks belonging to Deccan Volcanic Province.

Key Words: Leni, Caves, Basalt, Deccan Volcanic Province, Maharashtra.

Submitted for oral presentation at workshop and Brainstorming session on Geoheritage at Andhra University during

30-31 May 2013