The Kharosa Caves are located in the Kharosa hamlet in the Latur district of the state of Maharashtra, 45 kilometres from Latur City. There are twelve caves in all, one of which has a picture of a Jain Tirthankara sitting. Twelve carved panels that tell legendary stories may be seen in these caves.
A magnificently painted figure of the Lord Buddha seated is on display in the first cave. A finely carved sculpture of Lord Dutta can be seen in one of the caves, and there are shivlings in the other caves. Travellers are drawn to the magnificent sculpture of Yaksha that is located outside the caves.
A short set of steps leads to the upper chamber of these caves, which is home to idols of Vishnu and Shiv-Parvati. Shivling is housed in the second cave, while the bottom level and two stories may be found in the fourth and fifth caves.
History
Constructed in the 6th century during the Gupta era, the Kharosa caves are well-known for their magnificent sculptures of Kartikeya, Narasimha, Ramana, and Shiva. The caves are significant historically. Rama, Laksman, and Sita must have resided here during their exile since Sita Nhani, or Sita’s toilet, is present.
How to reach
You may travel by car, rail, or air to get to the Kharosa Caves. The closest airport to the Latur caves is located three km away. This airport has good connections to Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.
The government-run buses may take you to the caves from Latur Airport.
Trains are boarded from two railway stations to go to the caves. The Latur Railway Station is well connected to the larger cities, and it’s 45 kilometres away. Although it is only three kilometres away from the caves, the Ausaroad Railway Station is not well connected to the larger towns.
By road, visitors can travel to the caves in six-seater vehicles, private automobiles, auto rickshaws, and buses run by the government or businesses.
Timings
It is accessible to tourists daily, with 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. being the ideal time to stop by.
Entry Fee
A ticket costs Rs. 5 per person.
Activities to do in and around
The charming villages of Ramegaon, Shivani, and Kharosa are close to these Kharosa caves. Within the Kharosa Temple complex, there is a magnificent mosque and the Renuka Devi Temple, which attests to the coexisting peace between the two religions.
The Sita Nhani, also known as Sita’s toilet, is perched atop the hill. It is widely believed that Lakshmana, Rama, and Sita formerly called this place home during their exile. Among the most visited tourist destinations are the enormous statues of Shiva Parvati, Ravana, Narasimha, and Kartikeya.
The ideal time to visit
The ideal time of year to explore the amazing caves is during the rainy season, when visitors may take in the rich foliage that surrounds them.
You may also like:
Karla Caves: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting
Bhaja Caves: Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting
