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The Bagh Caves situated along the slopes of the Vindhyas at a distance of about 97kms from Dhar town in MP, are a collection of 9 rock-cut monuments. Dating back to somewhere around 400 & 700 AD, these Buddhist caves are renowned the world over for their mural paintings & also as one of the top excursion destinations from Indore. |
The caves got their name from a legend that suggests the caves to be a home for tigers before they became the meditation center for many a Buddhist monk.
The Bagh Caves are similar to the famous Ajanta Caves with respect to the fact that, these have also been excavated on perpendicular rock face of a hill by master craftsmen. Of the total nine caves, only five have survived till date. Buddhist in inspiration, all the caves have a typical quadrangle plan with residential cells & a small chamber called ‘chaitya (prayer hall)’ at the back. However, one of the most magnificent of these 5 surviving caves is Cave 4 or the Rang Mahal.
Also present within the precincts of the Bagh Caves are endless sculptures of Buddha & Boddhisattvas. One such painting is that of Boddhisattva Padmapani reputed as being a prototype of the world famous Padmapani figure at Ajanta. Besides this legendry painting, one can also find traces of other ancient frescos & murals by master painters. Most of these paintings have striking resemblance to those at Ajanta.
Today the five surviving Bagh Caves stand apart as some of the most magnificent vestiges of Indian rock-cut architecture & a popular destination for excursions from Indore. |
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