Kanheri Caves - Part 4

This is the fourth article in my series on the Kanheri Caves. In the first installment, I provided an overview of these caves, and in the second article, I covered Cave No. 1.

Adjacent to Cave No. 1 on the north side is Cave No. 2. Unlike the first cave, this one is a significant west-facing excavation consisting of a vihara and three stupas. The three stupas are housed in separate chambers distinct from the vihara, making them appear as detached chaityas. I covered the first stupa of this cave in my third article. Let me continue with the remaining parts of Cave No. 2 in this article.

(For the benefit of beginners: a stupa is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics, typically the remains of Buddhist monks, used as a place of meditation. A chaitya is a place of worship, and a vihara is a dwelling place for monks.)

The second stupa from the viewer's right, is incomplete. It's uncertain whether it was left unfinished or did not survive the toll of time.

The third stupa is without the harmika. It shows signs of damage,  attributed to locals breaking coconuts over it, mistaking it for a Shiva Linga. However, this stupa features an elaborate sculptural scheme. These sculptural elements are from a later period. 

(For the benefit of beginners: the harmika, positioned atop the stupa dome, is a stone fence or railing that encloses a square area symbolizing the sacred domain of the Gods. At the harmika's center, a yasti, or pole, corresponds to the axis of the universe. Three stone disks, each with different meanings, crown the yasti.)

On the left wall are five large panels at the bottom and eight smaller panels above them. A large panel, seen as the second last panel, equals the height of these small and large panels. At the end, there is again a large panel at the bottom and a small panel above it.

The common motif in all the large panels at bottom is Buddha seated with pendant legs in Vyakhana mudra (Vyakhana mudra is a symbolic hand gesture where the tips of the thumb and index finger meet, with the other fingers extended and the palm facing the spectator.). All small panels above depict Buddha in the same attitude, except for the eighth one which shows him seated with crossed legs over a lotus. 

The largest panel on this wall shows Buddha seated with pendant legs, accompanied by two Bodhisattvas standing on either side.

(For beginners: A Bodhisattva is a person on the path to Buddhahood or awakening. According to various Mahayana sources, a Bodhisattva progresses through various stages (bhūmis) of spiritual development. The most common list of bhumis, found in the Daśabhūmikasūtra, consists of ten stages.)

Let me continue with the remaining parts of Cave No. 2 in my next episode.

This is Part 4 of the series of articles on Kanheri Caves. If you are interested to read the earlier parts of the series, click the links below.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Happy travelling.