Pandavleni Caves

Cave No.3 Gautamiputra Vihara, Pandavleni Caves / Image Credit

Pandavleni Caves are located at a distance of 8 km from Nashik in Maharashtra. Chiselled into the hills, Pandavleni is a group of 24 caves dating back to the period between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century AD. Of these Cave 18, a chaityagrha, is the most impressive.

These magnificent Buddhist and Jain rock-cut caves are known for profusion of ornate carvings of the highest order. These caves received the patronage of various rulers inducing those belonging to the Satavahana dynasty.

Nasik Prashasti (eulogy), an inscription found at Cave No.3 of the Pandavleni Caves, contains the achievements of Gautamiputra Satakarni, the greatest Satavahana ruler. The Nasik Prashasti was commissioned by his mother Gautami Balasri.

The Nasik Prasasti describes Gautamiputra Satakarni as the ruler of the Aparanta, Anupa, Saurashtra, Kukura, Akara and Avanti. He had defeated the Saka ruler Nahapana and restored the prestige of his dynasty by reconquering a large part of the former dominions of the Satavahanas.

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