Pandavleni Caves

The Pandavleni Caves (also known as Nashik or Trirashmi Caves) are a Buddhist and Jain site located about 8 km south of Nashik, Maharashtra, India.[1] Most of the caves are viharas (monasteries) except for Cave 18 which is a chaitya (prayer hall) from the 1st century BCE, featuring elaborate pillars that represent an important development in early Buddhist architecture.[1] Cave 11 is a Jain cave dedicated to Lord Vrishabhanath (Rishabhanatha), the first Tirthankara of Jainism.[1] Some scholars suggest the name 'Pandavleni' is derived from the Pandavas of the Mahabharata, as some caves contain inscriptions related to early Brahmin or Hindu beliefs.[1]