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Description: Pandavleni, also known as Tirthankara Leni or Pancha Pandava, is an ancient rock-cut sculpture complex located near the Gomai River, about 6 km from Shahada in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. The caves are built into the Trirasmi Hill, about 3,004 feet above sea level, on the Nashik-Mumbai road on the outskirts of Nashik city. Excavated by Jain saints about 2,000 years ago, the caves also reflect the craftsmanship and dedication of monks of the Hinayana Buddhist sect. The caves are carved out of solid rock along the river and are located about 10 meters below the surrounding landscape. They contain inscriptions and artefacts that date back to the reigns of the Kshatrapas, Satavahanas and Abhiras. There are two almost identical structures located about 15 meters apart in an east-west alignment. The sculptures are designed to allow the river water to flow over them, giving the impression of a waterfall while ensuring that the force of the water does not damage the carvings. 

This design resembles sculptures carved on the walls of a well; during floods, the well fills with water which flows over the surface without damaging the carvings. The northern aspect of the caves protects them from sunlight and south-western rains, helping to preserve the intricate carvings and valuable inscriptions for thousands of years. All the caves here exhibit remarkable craftsmanship, with caves No. 3, 10 and 18 being particularly notable for their exquisite sculptures. The first room of the complex contains five statues, while the main chamber contains a partially destroyed statue of Mahavira facing east, with two smaller statues on either side. This room leads to a larger second chamber, where several statues adorn the four walls. This larger structure is located about 15 metres west of the first complex and is quite similar to it. This initial small room contains seven statues - three on either side of the statue of Mahavira, who stands facing east.