Ghorawadi Caves

Ghoradeshwar Caves - Shelarwadi Caves


Useful Information

Location: 25 km northwest of Pune.
From old Mumbai Pune Highway, trail upill starts at Shankarwadi (शंकरवादी). 750 m, 20 minutes walk uphill.
(18.692307, 73.704069)
Open: no restrictions.
[2021]
Fee: free.
[2021]
Classification: SubterraneaCave Church
Light: bring torch
Dimension:  
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Ghorawadi Caves, Talegaon Dabhade R, Maharashtra 410506.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

3rd-4th century caves excavated.

Description

Ghorawadi Caves are also known as Ghoradeshwar Caves or Shelarwadi Caves. They were excavated during the 3rd and 4th century. Several caves contain representations of Hindu deities including Vitthal and Rakhumai and Saint Tukaram. Since the Middle Ages the caves were used by Hindus.

Due to natural disasters causing famines, the natural beauty in this region started to die. Rivers dried up, forests started to burn due to heat, and the animals like the Great Indian Bustard vanished. So the people of the villages started to worship Shiva by establishing a shivalinga inside these caves. To protect its clan, a bustard started worshipping the Shivalinga. When seeing devotion of an innocent bird, Shiva appeared before the bird and granted him the boon. Today, the Lord is worshipped here as Ghoradeshwar. The word Ghorad stands for the Indian Bustard and Ishwar stands for Lord in Marathi. The word Ghoradeshwar means Lord of the Bustard.