The Buddhist heritage of India is profoundly reflected in its multitude of rock-cut sites. This post aims to compile a working list of such sites, specifically focusing on the Buddhist tradition. It’s important to note that this list is an ongoing project and not exhaustive. The dynamic nature of archaeological discoveries means that newer or less-known sites frequently emerge in regional media and social media reports. However, due to the vast scope of this subject, I may not be aware of all such developments.
List of Centrally Protected Monuments (CPMs) with Buddhist Rock-Cut Architecture in India
S.N. | ASI Circle | State | District | Archaeological Site and Locality |
1 | Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | East Godavari | Pandavula or Pandavulakonda Caves at Kapavaram |
2 | Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | Vishakhapatnam | Bojjanna Konda / Lingala Konda Caves at Sankaram |
3 | Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | West Godavari | Caves at Dharmalingesvarasvami hill |
4 | Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | West Godavari | Guntupalle Caves |
5 | Patna | Bihar | Jehanabad | Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills, Caves at |
6 | Patna | Bihar | Rajgir | Saptaparni Caves |
7 | Patna | Bihar | Rajgir | Swarn Bhandar Cave |
8 | Raipur | Chhattisgarh | Sarguja | Sitabengra & Jogimara Caves, Ramgarh Hill |
9 | Rajkot | Gujarat | Bhavnagar | Talaja Caves |
10 | Rajkot | Gujarat | Junagadh | Girnar Hill, Baba Pyare Caves |
11 | Rajkot | Gujarat | Junagadh | Girnar Hill, Khapra Kodiya Caves |
12 | Rajkot | Gujarat | Junagadh | Girnar Hill, Uparkot Caves |
13 | Rajkot | Gujarat | Rajkot | Dhank Caves, near Upleta |
14 | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | Dhar | Bagh Caves |
15 | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | Dhar | Lohani Caves, Mandu |
16 | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | Mandasaur | Dhamnar Caves 1-51 |
17 | Jabalpur | Madhya Pradesh | Hoshangabad | Pandav Caves in Panchamarhi |
18 | Aurangabad | Maharashtra | Aurangabad | Ajanta Caves |
19 | Aurangabad | Maharashtra | Aurangabad | Aurangabad Caves |
20 | Aurangabad | Maharashtra | Aurangabad | Ellora Caves 1-12? |
21 | Aurangabad | Maharashtra | Aurangabad | Pitalkhora Caves near Kannad |
22 | Aurangabad | Maharashtra | Nasik | Ankai Caves |
23 | Aurangabad | Maharashtra | Nasik | Pandav Lena Caves near Pathardi |
24 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Kolhapur | Pohala Caves |
25 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Mumbai Suburban | Kanheri Caves |
26 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Mumbai Suburban | Kondivite/Mahakali Caves |
27 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Mumbai Suburban | Mandapeshwar Cave, Phase I |
28 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Palghar | Barad / Bahrot Caves near Khunavada |
29 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Bedsa Caves |
30 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Bhaja Caves |
31 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Junnar, Ganesh Pahad / Lenyadri Caves |
32 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Junnar, Manmodi Hill: Ambika Caves |
33 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Junnar, Manmodi Hill: Bhimashankar Caves |
34 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Junnar, Manmodi Hill: Bhutalinga Caves |
35 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Junnar, Shivaneri Hill Caves |
36 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Junnar, Tulja Hill Caves |
37 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Karla Caves |
38 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Naneghat/Nana Pass Caves |
39 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Pune | Shelarwadi Caves |
40 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Ambivli Caves |
41 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Elephanta Caves 2-4 (originally Buddhist?) |
42 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Gomashi Caves |
43 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Khadsamla Caves near Nenavali |
44 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Kol Caves |
45 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Kondane Caves |
46 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Kuda Caves |
47 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Pala/Gandhar Pale Caves near Mahad |
48 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Peth Caves near Kotali Fort |
49 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Raigad | Thanala Caves near Nadsur |
50 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Ratnagiri | Panhalekazi/Ganesh Lena Caves near Dapoli |
51 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Satara | Jakhinwadi/Agashiva Caves near Karad |
52 | Nagpur | Maharashtra | Akola | Patur Caves |
53 | Nagpur | Maharashtra | Chandrapur | Vijasan/Pandava Caves near Bhandak |
54 | Bhubaneshwar | Odisha | Khurda | Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves |
55 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | Jhalawar | Binnayaga (Dag) Caves |
56 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | Jhalawar | Hatiyagor Caves |
57 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | Jhalawar | Kolvi (Dag) Caves |
List of Buddhist Cave Sites in India Under State Archaeology Departments
S.No. | State | District | Site and locality |
1 | Andhra Pradesh | Kurnool | Kotturu |
2 | Andhra Pradesh | Vizianagaram | Bodhikonda, near Ramateertham |
3 | Goa | North Goa | Lamgaon, Bicholim |
4 | Goa | North Goa | Siddhanatha, Surla |
5 | Goa | South Goa | Rivona, Sanguem |
6 | Gujarat | Gir Somnath | Prabhas Patan |
7 | Gujarat | Kutch | Siyot, Lakhpat |
8 | Gujarat | Patan | Sana Vakiya, Sana Dungar |
9 | Gujarat | Porbandar | Kadiya Dungar |
10 | Gujarat | Rajkot | Khambhalida, N-E of Jetpur |
11 | Ladakh | Leh | Saspol Caves |
12 | Madhya Pradesh | Hoshangabad | Salbardi |
13 | Madhya Pradesh | Ratlam | Khejadiya Bhop |
14 | Madhya Pradesh | Sehore | Saru – Maru, Panguraria |
15 | Maharashtra | Aurangabad | Sutonda, near Banoti |
16 | Maharashtra | Kolhapur | Ainari |
17 | Maharashtra | Mumbai | Kerumata, Navi Mumbai airport (destroyed) |
18 | Maharashtra | Nagpur | Bhivkund |
19 | Maharashtra | Nagpur | Bhuyari, Nagpur |
20 | Maharashtra | Nanded | Ghatotkacha near Janjala |
21 | Maharashtra | Nanded | Mahur, near Mahurgad |
22 | Maharashtra | Nashik | Banoti / Dhareshwar, Soegaon |
23 | Maharashtra | Osmanabad | Dharashiva, N-W of Osmanabad |
24 | Maharashtra | Osmanabad | Lachunda, near Osmanabad |
25 | Maharashtra | Palghar | Jivadani temple, near Virar |
26 | Maharashtra | Pune | Bhandara, west of Chakan |
27 | Maharashtra | Pune | Digewadi |
28 | Maharashtra | Pune | Dongrai, near Agashiva Hills |
29 | Maharashtra | Pune | Ghorawadi / Ghorwadeshwar, Talegaon Dabhade |
30 | Maharashtra | Pune | Khed |
31 | Maharashtra | Pune | Kunghara |
32 | Maharashtra | Pune | Shilāṇé, near Karla |
33 | Maharashtra | Pune | Ukasan, off Kamshet |
34 | Maharashtra | Pune | Yelghol, south of Kamshet |
35 | Maharashtra | Raigad | Bamnoli, Mangaon |
36 | Maharashtra | Raigad | Lonad, near Mumbai |
37 | Maharashtra | Raigad | Mrugagad, Kurvande |
38 | Maharashtra | Raigad | Palsambe |
39 | Maharashtra | Raigad | Rajwada, Khireshwar |
40 | Maharashtra | Raigad | Wakrul |
41 | Maharashtra | Satara | Kaudanya, near Agashiva Hills |
42 | Maharashtra | Satara | Patan, south of Karla |
43 | Maharashtra | Satara | Shirwal |
44 | Maharashtra | Satara | Yerphale, near Patan |
45 | Maharashtra | Thane | Waghdevi, Chinchoti |
46 | Odisha | Jajpur | Kaima |
47 | Odisha | Khordha | Langudi |
48 | Uttar Pradesh | Lalitpur | Deogarh rock shelter, Lalitpur |
The above list is a work in progress. It is not incomplete. Many entries may be missing. Some errors might also be there. I invite you to contribute to this evolving list. If you can spot an error, kindly let me know in the comments section below. If you are aware of any Buddhist rock-cut sites, especially those that are obscure or less-known, please share your knowledge in the comments section below. To ensure the information is as useful as possible, include the following details:
- Site Location: Please mention the specific location of the site, including coordinates if available.
- Accessibility: Information about the nearest locality, post office, and district can be very helpful.
- Photographs: If you can, please share images of the sites. Visual documentation is invaluable for both academic study and general appreciation.
Your contributions will not only enrich this list but also aid in the broader understanding and preservation of Buddhist archaeological heritage in India.