DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0226
204
CHAPTER III.
THE BUDDHIST CAVE TEMPLES IN THE SOUTH KONKAN.
The Korikari, as is generally known, is the appellation of the low-
lying country between the Ghats or Sahyadri Hills and the shores of
Indian Ocean, extending from Gujarat on the north, to Goa on the
south. South of Bombay it is divided into the districts of Kulaba
and Ratnagiri, and is much broken up by spurs and outlying hills
from the Ghat range. In these we find several groups of caves.
The first are about 30 miles south of Bombay, in a ravine a few
miles north-east of Chaul, and consist of two small plain cells with-
out any sculptures.1 Further south at Kuda, and still further to
the south-east at Mhar, on the Savitri river, are large groups to be
noticed presently; and in the Ratnagiri district, at Dabhol at the
mouth of the Vasishthi river, at Chipalun to the east of it, and at
Sangameswar 25 miles south of the last,2 are cells or caves but of
little importance, those at Chipalun consisting of a hall 22 feet by
15, with a dagoba at the back, a few cells, and a water cistern.
Altogether there may be about 150 separate excavations in this
district. Some of them as old as any in the west of India, but
none of any great beauty or interest. Though not quite so plain as
those of Kathiwar they are very rarely adorned with sculpture, and
what ornament is found in them, is of a very rude class. No trace
of painting is to be found anywhere, nor any indications that such a
mode of adornment was ever attempted. In themselves they cannot
consequently be regarded as of much interest, but a description or
them cannot be omitted from a work aiming at being a complete
account of the known Cave Temples of India.
Caves of Kuda.
Kuden, Kuda or Kura, is a small village on the shore of the Baja-
puri creek which enters the west coast about 45 miles to the south o
1 Jour. Bom. B. R. As. Soc, vol. iv. p. 342. . .
2 At Wade-Padel, and at Sagwa, both near Wagotana, in the south of the dlS'n^'
are also some ruined cells, but they are probably Brahmanical. See Jour. B.
As. Soc, vol. v. p. 611.
CHAPTER III.
THE BUDDHIST CAVE TEMPLES IN THE SOUTH KONKAN.
The Korikari, as is generally known, is the appellation of the low-
lying country between the Ghats or Sahyadri Hills and the shores of
Indian Ocean, extending from Gujarat on the north, to Goa on the
south. South of Bombay it is divided into the districts of Kulaba
and Ratnagiri, and is much broken up by spurs and outlying hills
from the Ghat range. In these we find several groups of caves.
The first are about 30 miles south of Bombay, in a ravine a few
miles north-east of Chaul, and consist of two small plain cells with-
out any sculptures.1 Further south at Kuda, and still further to
the south-east at Mhar, on the Savitri river, are large groups to be
noticed presently; and in the Ratnagiri district, at Dabhol at the
mouth of the Vasishthi river, at Chipalun to the east of it, and at
Sangameswar 25 miles south of the last,2 are cells or caves but of
little importance, those at Chipalun consisting of a hall 22 feet by
15, with a dagoba at the back, a few cells, and a water cistern.
Altogether there may be about 150 separate excavations in this
district. Some of them as old as any in the west of India, but
none of any great beauty or interest. Though not quite so plain as
those of Kathiwar they are very rarely adorned with sculpture, and
what ornament is found in them, is of a very rude class. No trace
of painting is to be found anywhere, nor any indications that such a
mode of adornment was ever attempted. In themselves they cannot
consequently be regarded as of much interest, but a description or
them cannot be omitted from a work aiming at being a complete
account of the known Cave Temples of India.
Caves of Kuda.
Kuden, Kuda or Kura, is a small village on the shore of the Baja-
puri creek which enters the west coast about 45 miles to the south o
1 Jour. Bom. B. R. As. Soc, vol. iv. p. 342. . .
2 At Wade-Padel, and at Sagwa, both near Wagotana, in the south of the dlS'n^'
are also some ruined cells, but they are probably Brahmanical. See Jour. B.
As. Soc, vol. v. p. 611.