Kondane Cave Art


An accidental discovery by a team from The Deccan college, Maharashtra state archaeology department and Talreja College revealed some 40 rock paintings in the Kondane caves in Rajgarh district in Maharashtra. The images were in both natural caves and man-made caves. The man-made caves feature Buddhist architecture such as Chaitya - prayer hall and a monastery. The Buddhist rock cut architecture found in these caves belongs to Hinayana phase of Buddhism. The discovery is very important as Maharashtra was absent on the rock art map of India before the discovery of several rock art sides in Vidarbha regions in 2003


A hunter standing poised with a bow and arrow with foot prints and some trees, a striking image of a mythical figure or demon and other paintings reflecting every day life and occupations such as hunting are some of the paintings which could be seen in the corners and ceilings of the caves in red and black hues.


The style and articulation of these paintings suggest that they have been drawn during the late historical period of second century BC onwards.