Tampratra had provided a clue to the Panhalekaji caves. Dabhol, Konkan
ताम्रपत्राने पन्हाळेकाजी लेण्यांचा सुगावा दिला होता.
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In Dapoli taluka Ratnagiri, in Dabhol village, there is one village named Panhalje, from which the Kodjai River flows. A local farmer is farming rice beside river, which is the main cultivated crop in Konkan. In 1970–71, one of the farmers discovered a trunk that contained many inscriptions from Tamrapatra, but he was never able to decode it, so he handed it over to a historic knowledgeable person in Dapoli, who also failed to decode it, so he gave it to the Pune Deccan College principle.
When the principal began her research on the inscription Tamraptra, she discovered information about caverns that were once existent in that village region and are located alongside that river; at that time, it was a major challenge for everyone to locate the caves. The Archaeological Department then conducted a search operation at year1972 and dug near the river until they discovered these caves.
The caves have a total of 28 caves. According to the inscriptions, this cave’s location was known as Pranalkh in the 12th century. The caverns contained evidence of Hinayan, Vajrayan, Shaiva, Pranpathya, and Nath Sampraday.
They all have prints of 3rd to 14th century year intervals.
In the sixth cave, we observed Akshobhya statues that were entirely broken and demolished.In the 12th cave, there is a stup with stunning snake-bond art. According to the inscription, there is a Shilalekh presnet in the 6th cave, although it is in poor condition.
Shilalekh’s remarks and Lipi’s statement are early third-century proofs, and there is some nath mudra painting on the walls as well. In the 14th caves, there is art of Adinath and Shiva Parvati, as well as some demolished art of Shiva Parvati, Vishnu, a Hindu deity carved, a serpent, and a large statue of Ganeshis sculpted in the 17th cave. The next cave is a temple cave with ramayana and Mahabharata art carved on the roof. Dhwarpal and Big Piller are also present.
It is a wonderful medieval cave now under the Indian Architecture Department. There are many bats inside the caves, therefore take cautious when going inside with a torch.
Accessibility :
Caves are accessible, and new trail construction is currently underway, making it easily accessible for wheelchair users as well.
Where to eat :
There is one food shop outside of the caves where snacks are easily available. You may also get your meals at Sanglat village shops.best way to carry your own food.
How to reach :
Caves are 30 kilometers from Khed city and 20 km from Dapoli city, therefore you can reach there by city’s also, you can carry your own private vehicle, there is public transit is not near the caves.
