Dharashiv Caves are located in the Balaghat mountains in the Osmanabad district in Maharashtra.
![]() |
| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
![]() |
| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
After visiting the Paranda Fort, we took directions from google maps and reached here after travelling for around 75 KM.
Naldurg is another fort in Osmanabad district known for its fantastic fortification.
NOTE - There is no provision for food and water here. Only mode of transport is private vehicles.
![]() |
| Information on Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
History states that these Caves were built around 5th to 7th century. They were discovered in the 10th century, by the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. These were originally Buddhist Caves which were later converted into Jain Caves.
![]() |
Stone sculptures at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
![]() | | Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
|
A tar road, leads to the caves entrance.There are two sets of caves on two hill ranges, facing each other. We decided to start exploring the caves near the temple premises.
![]() |
Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
![]() | | Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
|
There is grinding stone at the entrance of the temple premises.
The temple wall looks like a fort wall, made of small sized rocks. There are two small entrances to enter the temple premises. The temple kalash (top of temple) had beautiful artwork on it. The temple is dedicated to Shivguru and had beautiful paintings on the inside of soldiers at the entrance of the Shivguru.![]() |
Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
![]() | | Statue of Mahavir at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
|
The caves are all of different sizes. Grafitti artists have left their impression on the cave walls.
![]() |
| Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
Some of the caves were huge, they has symmetrical carved pillars within them. with a sculpture of Buddha within it.
The cave premises have been re worked upon as certain caves have been painted and also the pillars have been redone.
There are sculptures on rocks all over the place.![]() |
Temple near Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
![]() | Temple premises of Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
![]() | | Temple top at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
|
|
The caves, which were later converted to Jain Caves, have statue of Mahavir within them and they are under lock and key. so one can only take photos from outside.
![]() |
| Temple premises at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
We then visited the caves on the other hill range, which are not in very good condition. I guess no one is looking after their well being. Though these set of caves looks more rustic in comparison to the ones near the temple, some of them have beautiful artwork near their pillars.
![]() |
Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
![]() | | Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
|
Both set of caves offer fantastic view of the surroundings, there is no civilization in a distance. No wonder the monks decided to mediate here.
![]() |
Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra
![]() | | That's us at Dharashiv Caves in Osmanabad district in Maharashtra |
|
We then decided to visit Ausa Fort.
NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them.
