Junnar caves

alouise · Oct 11th, 2008, 12:26

Hi, has anyone visited the Junnar caves and if you have when did you visit? I would like to know if there is a good time of year for seeing the caves and can they be accessed fairly easily. Also, how's the leopard situation? I read where the government was trying to capture the hundreds of leopards in the Junnar area. This was about four years ago, after a large number of attacks on humans the previous decade, and the reports mentioned there were at least 30 in Junnar that they could not capture. Would they pose a safety risk when trying to access the caves or has tourism curtailed their presence? Any feedback would be much appreciated.

snonymous · Oct 14th, 2008, 19:13

Are you referring to the Lenyadri caves? They are visible from the Malshej Junnar road, but Ive never been into the caves complex. One of the Swayambhu Ganesha pilgrimage sites is located there [Girijatmaka]. I have a photo somewhere, taken from the road, not very good but if I find it I will post. As for leopards, you should consider yourself lucky to spot one in broad daylight, and in this season when the post monsoon undergrowth is thick.
Ive seen leopards in the Borivili park three times and each time they toodled off quite fast as soon as they realised that humans were near.

On another note, I am interested in your caves studies. Do you have a link or blog where you have posted more info? Thanks.

alouise · Oct 14th, 2008, 20:35

They could be the ones, snonymous. Three groups of caves: Tulija Lena (2nd-3rd c BCE), the ones in ManModi Hills and Ganesh Lena? Believe me, I'm not keen to see any leopards! I prefer Satvaahana and Gupta sculptures actually. I'm studying Indian affinities with 6-8th century temple sculptures in Cambodia and as the excavation reports for key sites date 1930s to 1950s, really need to go there (and to the museums) rather than rely on the photographs

alouise · Oct 14th, 2008, 20:41

Oh, forgot to answer your question synonymous. No links or blogs,sorry, just JSTOR data-based archives and copious notes at this stage. I dream of someday staying put during school holidays (I teach) to analyse all the jottings and write.

Sadanand Kamath · Oct 14th, 2008, 22:54

About Lenyadri group of caves at Junnar, see the link http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_junnarcaves .asp

The caves can be visited any time of the year but the best time to visit these caves is during winter (November-March).

I had visited Lenyadri caves in December 1988. Please have a look at these pictures below:

Sadanand

snonymous · Oct 15th, 2008, 12:46

To Alouise

You may be interested in this article on the relatively unknown Kazhugumalai Jaina caves of Tamil Nadu, which is in this weeks Frontline:
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/storie...4252106500.htm

This is the link to the contacts at the Archaeological Survey of India under whose authority most of the sites you are interested in, would fall:
http://asi.nic.in/asi_contact.asp

alouise · Oct 18th, 2008, 05:03

Amazing photos Sadanand, looks like a steep climb but with a spectacular view once there. Visiting caves, museums and ASI offices basically sums up my trip. Although there are a few details on the logistics that I need to check. Perhaps you or Snonymous might be able to help me out here? Here's what I have so far:

Pune bus stand , platform 3 for buses to Junnar village, 94 km ... is that the Shivajinagar bus stand?

Autorickshaw from Junnar village to the caves, 5 km

Stay in Junnar village at Hotel Pratik.... lodging with meals included, or is there a restaurant?

There's a MTDC at a hill station near Junnar, but possibly too far for a long day visit (or two) to the caves. Also, possibly not a good idea travelling after sunset back to that base re. dacoitry?

Any other suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

Snonymous, the Thirthanker statues in those Jain caves, Tamil Nadu, look to be in a good state of preservation - is it an igneous rock?

alouise · Oct 18th, 2008, 05:16

Oh I forgot to ask, is it worthwhile retracing the ancient trade route to Junnar via Nanighat or are the Satavahana monuments basically restricted to Junnar. The other cave places I'm visiting are Nasik, Lonavala, Udayigiri/Vidisha, Aurangabad and perhaps Bagh caves.

Sadanand Kamath · Oct 18th, 2008, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by alouise

...... Perhaps you or Snonymous might be able to help me out here? Here's what I have so far:

Pune bus stand , platform 3 for buses to Junnar village, 94 km ... is that the Shivajinagar bus stand?

Autorickshaw from Junnar village to the caves, 5 km

Stay in Junnar village at Hotel Pratik.... lodging with meals included, or is there a restaurant?

There's a MTDC at a hill station near Junnar, but possibly too far for a long day visit (or two) to the caves. Also, possibly not a good idea travelling after sunset back to that base re. dacoitry?

Any other suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.

1. State Transport buses to Junnar start from Shavajinagar bus stand.

2. Try Government Rest House at Junnar if it is available on your days of visit. Government Rest Houses at Pune link is at
http://www.mahapwd.com/resthouse/res...District=Pune#

3. The nearest MTDC is at Bhimashankar but travelling to and fro Junnar is not worthwhile. When I travelled from Junnar to Bhimashanker about 5 years back, the road condition was pathetic.

4. You may have to carry water bottles from Pune (or from places on the way from Pune ) as you may not get the mineral waters at Junnar unless things have now improved at Junnar.

5. Yes, better to avoid night travelling.

Sadanand

alouise · Oct 18th, 2008, 18:46

Brilliant, Sadanand! Thanks especially for that tip about bringing water from Pune.

snonymous · Oct 20th, 2008, 12:08

There is an MTDC at Malshej Ghat as well but it is neither close by, nor particularly convenient, you will be better off based in Junnar. Bottled water is easily available at Junnar now so you need not lug water from Pune!
If you want to do the trek via Naneghat [or jeep ride], try and contact our member Avid Trekker, I remember he has posted a lot of details about it sometime in the last six months.

As for the Kazhugumalai caves of TN, I do not know about the rock type. I had just finished reading the article in the Frontline and thought you may be interested. In fact Frontline did a 25 part series of articles on ancient monuments, over the past two years. If you search in the archives, you may find a lot. of interest to you.

Do post your experiences after you have finished your trip.

alouise · Oct 20th, 2008, 18:04

Thanx snonymous, good to hear Junnar has bottled water. I've been working out an itinerary which passes Naneghat but not to climb there - at least not this time. I was also thinking of a trip out to Ter/Thair to see the mounds and museum, although I can't see that really happening at this point. Too many places, too little time. The Frontline series sounds well worth a peek.

Oct 11th, 2008, 12:26	#1
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 798	Junnar caves Hi, has anyone visited the Junnar caves and if you have when did you visit? I would like to know if there is a good time of year for seeing the caves and can they be accessed fairly easily. Also, how's the leopard situation? I read where the government was trying to capture the hundreds of leopards in the Junnar area. This was about four years ago, after a large number of attacks on humans the previous decade, and the reports mentioned there were at least 30 in Junnar that they could not capture. Would they pose a safety risk when trying to access the caves or has tourism curtailed their presence? Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Oct 14th, 2008, 22:54	#5
Sadanand Kamath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,043	About Lenyadri group of caves at Junnar, see the link http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_junnarcaves .asp The caves can be visited any time of the year but the best time to visit these caves is during winter (November-March). I had visited Lenyadri caves in December 1988. Please have a look at these pictures below: Sadanand Attached Thumbnails __________________ http://www.sadanandsafar.blogspot.com/

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Oct 14th, 2008, 19:13	#2
snonymous xxx Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,693	Are you referring to the Lenyadri caves? They are visible from the Malshej Junnar road, but Ive never been into the caves complex. One of the Swayambhu Ganesha pilgrimage sites is located there [Girijatmaka]. I have a photo somewhere, taken from the road, not very good but if I find it I will post. As for leopards, you should consider yourself lucky to spot one in broad daylight, and in this season when the post monsoon undergrowth is thick. Ive seen leopards in the Borivili park three times and each time they toodled off quite fast as soon as they realised that humans were near. On another note, I am interested in your caves studies. Do you have a link or blog where you have posted more info? Thanks.

Oct 14th, 2008, 20:35	#3
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 798	They could be the ones, snonymous. Three groups of caves: Tulija Lena (2nd-3rd c BCE), the ones in ManModi Hills and Ganesh Lena? Believe me, I'm not keen to see any leopards! I prefer Satvaahana and Gupta sculptures actually. I'm studying Indian affinities with 6-8th century temple sculptures in Cambodia and as the excavation reports for key sites date 1930s to 1950s, really need to go there (and to the museums) rather than rely on the photographs

Oct 14th, 2008, 20:41	#4
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 798	Oh, forgot to answer your question synonymous. No links or blogs,sorry, just JSTOR data-based archives and copious notes at this stage. I dream of someday staying put during school holidays (I teach) to analyse all the jottings and write.

Oct 15th, 2008, 12:46	#6
snonymous xxx Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,693	To Alouise You may be interested in this article on the relatively unknown Kazhugumalai Jaina caves of Tamil Nadu, which is in this weeks Frontline: http://www.frontlineonnet.com/storie...4252106500.htm This is the link to the contacts at the Archaeological Survey of India under whose authority most of the sites you are interested in, would fall: http://asi.nic.in/asi_contact.asp

Oct 18th, 2008, 05:03	#7
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 798	Amazing photos Sadanand, looks like a steep climb but with a spectacular view once there. Visiting caves, museums and ASI offices basically sums up my trip. Although there are a few details on the logistics that I need to check. Perhaps you or Snonymous might be able to help me out here? Here's what I have so far: Pune bus stand , platform 3 for buses to Junnar village, 94 km ... is that the Shivajinagar bus stand? Autorickshaw from Junnar village to the caves, 5 km Stay in Junnar village at Hotel Pratik.... lodging with meals included, or is there a restaurant? There's a MTDC at a hill station near Junnar, but possibly too far for a long day visit (or two) to the caves. Also, possibly not a good idea travelling after sunset back to that base re. dacoitry? Any other suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. Snonymous, the Thirthanker statues in those Jain caves, Tamil Nadu, look to be in a good state of preservation - is it an igneous rock?

Oct 18th, 2008, 05:16	#8
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 798	Oh I forgot to ask, is it worthwhile retracing the ancient trade route to Junnar via Nanighat or are the Satavahana monuments basically restricted to Junnar. The other cave places I'm visiting are Nasik, Lonavala, Udayigiri/Vidisha, Aurangabad and perhaps Bagh caves.

Oct 18th, 2008, 18:46	#10
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 798	Brilliant, Sadanand! Thanks especially for that tip about bringing water from Pune.

Oct 20th, 2008, 12:08	#11
snonymous xxx Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,693	There is an MTDC at Malshej Ghat as well but it is neither close by, nor particularly convenient, you will be better off based in Junnar. Bottled water is easily available at Junnar now so you need not lug water from Pune! If you want to do the trek via Naneghat [or jeep ride], try and contact our member Avid Trekker, I remember he has posted a lot of details about it sometime in the last six months. As for the Kazhugumalai caves of TN, I do not know about the rock type. I had just finished reading the article in the Frontline and thought you may be interested. In fact Frontline did a 25 part series of articles on ancient monuments, over the past two years. If you search in the archives, you may find a lot. of interest to you. Do post your experiences after you have finished your trip.

Oct 20th, 2008, 18:04	#12
alouise Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 798	Thanx snonymous, good to hear Junnar has bottled water. I've been working out an itinerary which passes Naneghat but not to climb there - at least not this time. I was also thinking of a trip out to Ter/Thair to see the mounds and museum, although I can't see that really happening at this point. Too many places, too little time. The Frontline series sounds well worth a peek.