Dhamnar Caves

The Dhamnar caves are cut into laterite rock at Dhamnar village in Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh. The site has 51 caves along with stupas, chaityas, passages and small dwellings, carved for both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhists around the 5th to 7th centuries. Large figures of the Buddha, seated and in the nirvana pose, are among the carvings. Brahminical caves from the 7th–8th century and a monolithic Vishnu temple of the 8th–9th century were added later.

Fourteen caves on the north side are the most important. Bari Kacheri, the big courthouse, is about 20 feet square with stupas, chaityas and a porch whose stone railing imitates woodwork. Bhima Bazar is the largest, about 115 by 80 feet, combining a vihara with a chaitya hall. The porous laterite weathered badly over the centuries, and the Archaeological Survey of India has restored the crumbling structures.