AHMEDNAGAR, Aug 2: 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.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 from allover the country.
