These
caves are the excellent example of Buddhist sculpture of Satvaahana Period
in Western India. Junnar sculpture is the example of rock-cut circular
shrines same as Guntupalli in A. P. and Kondivate near Mumbai. 'Junnar' word
has originated from another Sanskrit word 'Jirna Nagar' or 'A Ruined City'.
So, this has been one of the oldest cities of the ancient India. It was the
capital city of Satvaahanas who ruled this region during that period. During
this glorious era of art & culture, more than 100 caves were carved out
in the mountains around the city. These caves have been carved out here
between 2nd century BC. to 3rd century AD.
Junnar is a town in Pune district of Maharastra. This is 117 km away from
Mumbai on Mumbai-Aurangabad route.
The caves are divided in three major groups. Tulija Lena Group, on the
western side, has a circular dome ceiling in the Chaitya Hall (Cave No. 3).
Ganesha Lena Group, on the other side of the river, up the mountainside, has
large number of small cells and Vigrahas in the group, the principal being
the Chaitya Cave No. 6 and the Vihara is now known as the Ganesha Lena.
Since this group belongs to the later days, the capitals of the pillars here
have the decorations resembling the Nasik style. Buta Lena Group is on the
eastern side. This third group of caves, located 1.5 kms south of the town,
has a well preserved facade. The Chaitya Cave is cave no.6 and cave no.7 is
the biggest Vihara Cave.
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This trend of carving out the cave temples by piercing the mountains
actually originated in India and spread with Buddhism via central Asia to
other Asian countries. If the travelling monks had a Buddhist vision at any
particular place or was mesmerised by its spiritual or scenic impact on
them, they used to start carving these masterpieces. These were used as a
place of worship or meditation not only by the monks but the pilgrims and
traders also. These caves also were used for secular motifs. Often located
on the trade routes, these were also used as banks and ware houses! A strict
set of rules was followed to make the Buddhist images in them. The images
and walls were also beautifully painted. Many inscriptions mention the
donations to Buddhist Chaityas in western India from merchants and then
monks and nuns themselves.
Junnar is also near to 300-meter high Shivneri Fort, the birth place of the
Maratha king Chatrapati Shivaji.One of the eight temples of Lord Ganesha,
Lenyadri, is also located on a mountain at Junnar. This has also been carved
out of mountain rocks. Shri Vighneshwar temple at Ozar is also a tourist
spot, 10 kms from Junnar. The idol of Lord Ganesha in it is believed to be
'found', not 'sculpted' by human hands.Junnar is famous for the Ganesha
decorations during the Ganesha Festival.
It has the largest density of leopard population within a 500 sq km area.
It also holds the record for the largest number of leopards trapped within
that range ever. This is surrounded by the greenery and dams named Vadaj and
Manikdoh, popular picnic spots among locals. Some famous ancient Naneghat
caves are also near to it.
Ajanta
Caves 
Ajanta
Ellora Excursion
