Junnar, the birth place of the Maratha Chieftain Chatrapati Shivaji, is
177 kms from Mumbai on the Mumbai- Aurangabad route. Situated in Aurangabad
district of Maharashtra State, Junnar is also an important destination
for the Buddhist pilgrims. Junnar as a Buddhist Center during the Satavahana
and Kshatrapa periods between the 2nd BC and the 3rd BC.
The hills Shivneri surrounding the plains of Junnar are
honeycombed with a cluster of about 50 buddhist caves, which are divided
into three distinct groups. Surrounded by lush greens, these caves are
cut into the cliffs on its east flank. 5 kms to the west Shivneri are
the Tulija Lena Group. These caves here span the Satavahana and Kshatrapa
periods. They consists of 11 excavations. Cave 3, is the most important
which has a circular dome ceiling in the Chaitya Hall with 12 tall octagonal
pillars. It's roof is like a rock cut dome.
The second group of caves are located 1.5 kms southwest
of the Junnar town towards the Manmodi Hills. These group of Caves were
known as Gidha - Viharas. It boasts about 50 or so excavations, four are
Chaitya halls. They are located in three distinct groups known as Bhimasankar
group, situated southeast of Manmodi hill, Amba-Ambika
group to the north of Bhimasankar and Bhutalinga group
situated nearly 200 m west of the Amba-Ambalika group. Cave 40
is the largest and has a well preserved facade.
The third group, Ganesh Lena Group is located 4 kms south
of Junnar. There are 26 excavations in this group, two of which are chapels,
the others being monasteries. the principal being the Chaitya Cave No.6
and the Vihara now known as the Ganesh Lena. The main facades is marked
by a blind chaita arch. Cave 7 has a verandah with doorways and windows.
The octagonal columns have bell shaped capitals and seated animals.
Ellora caves
One of the most important historical monuments in India, Ellora caves,
cut out of the vertical face of a high basalt hill, Charanadari running
north to south in the Deccan, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage
site in 1983. These caves are the culmination of Deccan rock-cut architecture.
Read
more..
Daulatabad Fort
Located on a pyramid shaped hilltop to the north - west of Aurangabad,
Daualabad fort is considered as one of the most spectacular forts in Maharashtra.
Overshadowed by a rock that rises 183 m above the plain, Daulatabad Fort
is considered as one of the most coveted forts of India. Read
more..
Ajanta caves
Ajanta caves, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, holds masterpieces
of Buddhist religious art, considered the finest examples of architecture.
These historical manmade caves containing paintings on the walls and ceilings
primarily depict the life of the Buddha before his enlightenment. Read
more..
|
Monuments 
