Lonad Caves

INDIA, Maharashtra

These caves are located near Janwal village, 8 km northeast of Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. They consist of a caitya cave and several small, unfinished caves. The caves are thought to have been created during the 5th century.
The caitya cave faces southwest and consists of a portico, main chamber, and an unfinished shrine. A row of square columns support the portico at the front. The door frame is decorated with square pilasters and multi-layer lintels, and a pair of guardians flank the entrance. The cave features numerous relief sculptures. An architrave above a column at the portico contains a complex relief of the Visvantara Jataka, while adjacent panels depict Hariti and Pancika. On the right side outside the portico is another large relief which depicts the scene in the Visvantara Jataka where King Sanjaya banishes his son, Visvantara, from the kingdom. Inside the cave, remnants of reliefs are found in the main chamber.