Pitalkhora Caves

Pitalkhora is a group of 14 Buddhist caves cut into the Satmala hills in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Work here began in the 2nd century BCE, which places the site among the oldest rock-cut monuments in India. The caves belong to the Hinayana phase, when the Buddha was not shown in human form, and include four chaityas, or prayer halls, and a number of viharas where monks lived. The ASI-protected site is reached by crossing a waterfall.

The excavation is linked to the Satavahana period, with later work under the Vakatakas in the 5th century CE. Cave 3 keeps traces of Ajanta-like paintings of the Buddha's life, and a carved Yaksha guards a stairway beside a row of elephants. Cave 4 shows Prince Gautama leaving his palace. About seven inscriptions name donors, and towns such as Pathitana and Dhanyakataka. Channels in the rock fed rainwater into hidden cisterns.