Dhank Caves

The Dhank caves are cut into a calcareous sandstone outcrop near Dhank village, close to Upleta in Rajkot district and about 48 kilometres north-west of Junagadh. The place is also called Dhankgiri. Carved under the Western Satraps, the caves show both Buddhist and Jain influence, and their Jain figures are counted among the earliest in Kathiawad. Dates suggested by scholars range from the 3rd to the 7th century AD.

On the west side of the hill three niches hold Jain images. The one facing the door is identified by H.D. Sankalia as Rishabhanatha, seated on a lion throne between two whisk bearers under a triple canopy. Another seated figure bears the deer emblem of Shantinatha, a well-preserved standing Parshvanatha is sheltered by a cobra hood, and the goddess Ambika appears holding an infant and a mango bud.