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| Ghorawadi Caves Ghoradeshwar caves Shelarwadi caves | |
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_Leni.jpg) The caves | |
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| Coordinates | 18°41′32″N 73°42′15″E / 18.692251°N 73.704056°E |
The Ghorawadi caves, also known as Ghoradeshwar caves or Shelarwadi caves, are around 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Pune, India, were originally Buddhist caves, and now contain carvings and statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities.
They are close to the NH4 highway connecting Pune and Mumbai. The caves were carved out of a single rock formation around the 3rd and 4th century CE.
There are nine rooms for meditation adjoining the chaityagriha. An inscription in Brāhmī script on one of the walls says that the Chaityagriha is dedicated with affection to the Buddha and the Samgha by the daughters of "Dhapar", who was a disciple of "Bhadantsingh". The chaityagriha is now known as Shri Ghorwadeshwar Temple.
The caves are situated at the top of a hill. Several caves contain representations of deities including Vitthal, Rakhumai and Saint Tukaram. It is said that Saint Tukaram used to meditate at Ghorawadi caves and also at places like Durga Tekdi near Nigdi, Bhandara and Bhamchandra near Dehu.
A large cave contains a representation of Shivlinga that is visited during Mahashivratri by people seeking the blessings of Shiva.