Ghorawadi Caves

The Ghorawadi caves, also called Ghoradeshwar or Shelarwadi caves, sit at the top of a hill about 25 km northwest of Pune, close to the NH4 highway between Pune and Mumbai. They were cut from a single mass of rock around the 3rd or 4th century CE as a Buddhist establishment, with nine meditation cells beside a chaitya hall. A Brahmi inscription records that the daughters of one Dhapar, a disciple of Bhadantsingh, dedicated the hall to the Buddha and the Sangha.

Over time the site took on Hindu worship as well. The chaitya hall is now the Shri Ghorawadeshwar temple, a large cave holds a Shivalinga that draws crowds at Mahashivratri, and several caves contain images of Vitthal, Rakhumai and Sant Tukaram, who is said to have come here to meditate. The mix of Buddhist and Hindu carving makes the climb worthwhile for anyone interested in how sacred places change hands.