Pandavleni Caves

Pandavleni is a group of 24 rock-cut caves on Trirashmi hill on the edge of Nashik, made mainly for Hinayana Buddhist monks. A climb of nearly 200 steps leads to them, with broad views from the top. Their inscriptions record the Kshatrapa, Satavahana and Abhira dynasties that ruled Nashik, describing royal gifts and the cutting of viharas, chaityas, shrines and water cisterns. Facing north, they have kept much of their carving and lettering.

Inside are carved figures of the Buddha, some images of Jain Tirthankaras, and tanks hewn from the rock. Cave 3 is the largest and most elaborate, with many cells around its hall and fine sculpture. The name means Pandava caves in Marathi, from a local story that the five brothers hid here during their exile, though the caves themselves were made for Buddhist monks.