Dhamnar Caves
Dhamnar Caves | |
 Overview of the Dhamnar Caves at Chandwasa in Mandsaur district. | |
  Shown within India | |
| Coordinates | 24°11′35″N75°29′53″E/ 24.19306°N 75.49806°E |
|---|---|
| Type | Buddhist caves |
| Pilgrimage to |
| Buddha's Holy Sites |
|---|
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TheDhamnar Cavesare caves located in the village of Dhamnar, located inMandsaur districtin the state ofMadhya Pradesh,India.This rock cut site consists of 51 caves,stupas,Chaityas,passages, and compact dwellings, carved in the 7th century CE. The site includes large statues ofGautama Buddhain sitting andNirvanamudra.[1]
Fourteen caves on the northern side are considered historically significant, among whichBari Kacheri(big courthouse) andBhima Bazarare the most so. The Bari Kacheri cave measures 20 feet square and includes stupas and chaityas. The porch includes stone railing with the wooden architecture. Bhima Bazar cave is the largest among the group, measuring 115 feet by 80 and including vzhara andchaityagruha.It consists of stupas. The roof is in poor condition with the support of wooden architecture.[2]
Architecture
[edit]The Dhamnar caves include 51 rock cut caves containingBuddhistandHindustructures likestupas,chaityas,porch and small chambers both ofHinayanaandMahayanasects ofBuddhismconstructed around 5th-6th centuries AD.
This structure includes colossal seating figure ofBuddhaand it also includesBrahminicalrock cut caves (7th-8th century AD) and a single monolithic temple dedicated to LordVishnu(8th-9th century AD).
The structure was crumbling before its restoration byArcheological Survey of Indiamainly because of being constructed by porouslateriterocks which got weathered badly over the centuries, destabilizing and weakening the structure.[3]
Gallery
[edit]-
Dhamnar Caves plan -
The caves. -
Rock cut Dhamnar caves -
Buddhist sculpture caves -
Dhamnar caves -
Badi Kachahari (Cave-6) -
Dhamnar Caves facade -
Dhamnar Caves stupas
See also
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- Jain, Kailash Chand (1972).Malwa Through the Ages, from the Earliest Times to 1305 A.D.Motilal Banarsidass Pub. pp. 426–427.ISBN812080824X.
- Verma, Archana (2007).Cultural and Visual Flux at Early Historical Bagh in Central India.Archaeopress British Archaeological Reports. p. 11.ISBN978-1407301518.
Citations
[edit]- ^Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal Circle."Monument >> Mandsaur >> Dhamnar Buddhist caves No. 1 to 51".Govt of India, Ministry of Culture.Retrieved1 December2013.
- ^"DHAMPUR TAHSIL".Imperial Gazetteer of India.11:283.Retrieved1 December2013.
- ^"MP: Dhamnar caves conservation plan can be replicated, says ASI".Hindustan Times.2 May 2015.Retrieved15 March2022.
