Ancient caves discovered near Pathardi

AHMEDNAGAR, July 31: Caves with carvings and an idol of a goddess were recently unearthed in an excavation carried out in the hills at vi...

AHMEDNAGAR, July 31: Caves with carvings and an idol of a goddess were recently unearthed in an excavation carried out in the hills at village Shirapur, about 25 km from Pathardi in the district.

Further excavation is likely to uncover more caves and ancient remains. These could throw light on the culture and habitat in the unfriendly hilly terrain known as Garbhgiri. The range stretches from Karanji in Pathardi taluka to Ashti taluka in neighbouring Beed district.

Garbhgiri ranges are revered to be the abodes of Goddess Jagadamba at Mohite village, Mhatardev (Shiva) at Vridyeshwar and the samadhi of Machhindra Nath, founder of the Nath panth sect at Mayamba, a village near Savargaon hill-top.

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Madhi village, 10 km from Pathardi, was believed to be the seat of one of the principal preachers and philosophers of the Nath sect, Kanifnath, as mentioned in the Navnath Sar (A composition that contains tenets of Navnath panth.) It is also a holy place for nomads of the Vaidu community not only in Maharashtra but also from other states.

A yatra is held at Madhi a fortnight prior to Rangpanchami. And the marriages in Vaidu community are solemnised once a year at Madhi on Rangpanchami day.

Madhi is a major centre for marketing of donkeys from across the country once a year during the yatra. Donkeys from Kathewad in Gujarat sell briskly during the yatra.

A circular cave Satwaichi guha at Shirapur, about 8 km from Tisgaon on Nagar-Pathardi road, is intact. Its height is between 15 and 20 feet and depth about 30 feet. The Mahadev idol is a round and fairly big.

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The hall adjoining the cave, according to a follower of the Nath sect at Karabwadi, Muralidhar Shakane Baba, was used to perform yajnas.

Another cave has three incomplete canopies with carvings. Villagers stopped excavation when they came across these. Some pillars, with unfinished carvings, can be seen in the area.

Further excavation and archaeological studies will throw more light on the historical and cultural past of the region.