4/10/07
Dear friends,
We were enjoying a refreshing drive from Alibaug towards Murud Zanjira, the fort located in midst of the Arabian sea. Just a few kilometers, of before murud some archeological board was sighted at a distance. Well it was all barbed and fenced, we had to park the car inside the muddy road, lest it gets stolen from the main road. We breached the barbed wire fence and started climbing a winding stairs for so called " mysterious caves " The caves were so well preserved that ASI is obviously doing some restoration work, because of destruction of natural forces, like rain and sunshine, etc. But vandalism has definitely taken place because, lot of statues are mutiliated and plundered.
These caves may date prior to Ajanta, Ellora caves because of the crude nature of sculpture. We were enamoured but still a sense of insecurity was prevailing just imagine such a huge area and not a single soul except us. We quickly had a tour and took some snaps and returned to base enroute to Murud. Enroute one more spot belonging to Nawabs we discovered but entry is prohibited to the palace.
We stood on the hillock and took lovely photos, along with horses for the courses. Later i wanted to trace the history of the caves which was not available. Then with small clues from ASI, which has listed number of caves in Maharastra the trail began, i managed to connect to Gazette and from there on to independent research and finally I discovered the name as KUDA caves, may be these magnificient set of caves NO 26 nos will be thrown open to public.
It dates back to ASHOKA period as per the reasearcher, being close to the port of RAJAPURI and CHAUL one has to see it as an exclusive tribute to adventure. Trekkers keep this spot on your radar you will carry memories lasting for ever for its discovery. I did explore in 2001 after 9/11.
Dear friends,
We were enjoying a refreshing drive from Alibaug towards Murud Zanjira, the fort located in midst of the Arabian sea. Just a few kilometers, of before murud some archeological board was sighted at a distance. Well it was all barbed and fenced, we had to park the car inside the muddy road, lest it gets stolen from the main road. We breached the barbed wire fence and started climbing a winding stairs for so called " mysterious caves " The caves were so well preserved that ASI is obviously doing some restoration work, because of destruction of natural forces, like rain and sunshine, etc. But vandalism has definitely taken place because, lot of statues are mutiliated and plundered.
It dates back to ASHOKA period as per the reasearcher, being close to the port of RAJAPURI and CHAUL one has to see it as an exclusive tribute to adventure. Trekkers keep this spot on your radar you will carry memories lasting for ever for its discovery. I did explore in 2001 after 9/11.
KUDA CAVES
Kuda (T. Manganv 18°55' N. 73°35' E; P. 673; RS. Mumbra 96 m.) is a small village, thirteen miles north-west of Manganv, and about two miles east of the north-east arm of the Rajpuri creek. [This account of the Kuda caves is prepared from Dr. Burgess's rote Archaeological Survey of Western India, Seprate Pamphlet, X.3-21; Cave Temples of India 204-209; and Arch. Survey of Western India, IV, 12-17.] It is remarkable for a group of twenty-six Buddhist caves and eleven cisterns, from 150 to 200 feet above sea level, cut in the side of a hill which is about 250 feet high.
The caves face south-west and are all within 200 yards, in two lines, caves I-XV below and caves XVI-XXVI about forty feet higher. The caves command a beautiful view. In front is the Rajpuri creek, like a mountain lake some five miles wide, shut in by hills from 200 to 600 feet high, its centre adorned by a rocky islet. From the hill top may be seen the forts of Tala to the east and of Ghosala to the north. These caves for years braved the onslaught of rain and the gales rushing from the open sea, resulting in erasing the inscriptions at some and figures at other places. Some inscriptions, however, being less exposed have stood through the weather and time, and are still legible.
Kuda (T. Manganv 18°55' N. 73°35' E; P. 673; RS. Mumbra 96 m.) is a small village, thirteen miles north-west of Manganv, and about two miles east of the north-east arm of the Rajpuri creek. [This account of the Kuda caves is prepared from Dr. Burgess's rote Archaeological Survey of Western India, Seprate Pamphlet, X.3-21; Cave Temples of India 204-209; and Arch. Survey of Western India, IV, 12-17.] It is remarkable for a group of twenty-six Buddhist caves and eleven cisterns, from 150 to 200 feet above sea level, cut in the side of a hill which is about 250 feet high.
The caves face south-west and are all within 200 yards, in two lines, caves I-XV below and caves XVI-XXVI about forty feet higher. The caves command a beautiful view. In front is the Rajpuri creek, like a mountain lake some five miles wide, shut in by hills from 200 to 600 feet high, its centre adorned by a rocky islet. From the hill top may be seen the forts of Tala to the east and of Ghosala to the north. These caves for years braved the onslaught of rain and the gales rushing from the open sea, resulting in erasing the inscriptions at some and figures at other places. Some inscriptions, however, being less exposed have stood through the weather and time, and are still legible.
1 comment:
Hey, gr8 discovery.....didn't know the existence of such a place.
Will try to check it out next time since I visit Murud
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