Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found three more caves in the Trirashmi Buddhist cave complex, also known as Pandav Leni, near Nashik, Maharashtra.

Key Findings

• This discovery in May has led archeologists to believe that there could be more hidden and unseen caves in the same area. Considering this possibility, the ASI is planning a thorough survey of the hill.
• Trirashmi caves are a group of 24 caves dated between 1BC and the 6-7AD. The caves are on a vertical face of the hill and are a tourist attraction
• It seems to have been monks’ dwelling that had been made before the Trirashmi caves.
• The caves all have verandahs and they also consist of a square stone platform for monks.

About Pandav Leni

• The Pandav Leni or Trirashmi are a cluster of 25 caves and these date back to some time between the 2 century BC and 6 century AD.
• These caves have been carved out of the Trirashmi Hill.
• Captain James Delamaine had documented the complex of the caves back in 1823, and the site is now protected by the ASI and it is a tourist destination.
• Buddhist sculptures are a significant group of early examples of Indian rock-cut architecture initially representing the Hinayana tradition.
• Most of the caves are viharas except for Cave 18 which is a chaitya of the 1st century BCE.
• The additional sculptures addition reflects changes in Buddhist devotional practices mainly.

Why these caves were hidden till this date?

• There are 2 factors behind why these caves remained hidden for so long.
• The first documentation of the complex was done in 1823. At that time, there must be a dense forest in that area.
• Now also, people visit the caves or directly go to the top of the mountain. There are caverns that remain hidden in the bushes and the trees from the human eye. The third cave which we discovered was very difficult to reach.