The Kuda Caves are located on Janjira Hill facing the Arabian Sea. It is named after the village of the same name in Raigad district. The natural surroundings and architecture of these caves combine to provide a relaxing experience.
HistoryThe Kuda Caves are located on the western side of the hills surrounding the stream of Mandad. The caves are very close to Mandad, the ancient site of 'Mandagora' referred to by Roman writers as a port. The caves were carved in the early centuries AD and Buddha images were added later in the 6th century.
The site has 26 Buddhist caves patronized by the local king, his family, nobles and merchants. Indo-Roman trade brought prosperity to the area during the early Common Era. Most of these caves are carved in basaltic rock and may date back to the 2nd - 3rd century AD. Buddhist sculptures depicting the Holy Buddhist Triad and parts of the life of the Buddha date back to the 6th century. Early cave paintings from the 2nd - 3rd century BC provide a glimpse of regional art.
The Kuda caves have four chaityas (prayer halls) and inscriptions. The rest of the caves are residential structures for Buddhist monks. Viharas are simple one- or two-room structures with a veranda in front and a room in the wall for meditation, with smaller, unadorned rooms. In Cave 11, an inscription accompanies the depiction of the hippocampus (sea horse) as a sacred symbol. There are numerous water tanks at this location,which may have been used to store water for the monastery's inhabitants. Kuda was a picturesque place in the vicinity of a prosperous port and on a trade route connecting the trading centers of the Deccan Plateau.
Apart from visiting the caves, you can also visit the creek and the nearby river. Murud Janjira Fort is approximately 25 km from Kuda. If you plan ahead to visit Janjira Fort, you can stay for the same visit.
Nearby tourist attractionsMurud Janjira and Tombs of Siddhis or Khokhri Samadhi in Murud (20.7 km)
Kashid Beach (43.5 km)
Kolad- (34 km) One can enjoy adventure sports like river rafting, kayaking, river crossing and ziplining.
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