The Thanale Caves, also known as Thanale Buddhist Caves or Thanale Caves Group, are a group of ancient rock-cut caves located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. These caves are significant archaeological and historical sites and are believed to date back to the 3rd to 4th centuries CE during the reign of the Satavahana dynasty.

The Thanale Caves are a series of rock-cut caves carved into a hillside. They are believed to date back to the 1st century BCE or the 1st century CE, making them approximately 2,000 years old. The caves feature a mix of chaitya halls (prayer halls) and viharas (monastic cells).

Like many other rock-cut caves in India, the Thanale Caves are associated with Buddhism. They were likely used by Buddhist monks for meditation, study, and religious ceremonies. The presence of Buddhist sculptures and inscriptions supports this connection.

The caves contain intricate carvings and sculptures, depicting various aspects of Buddhist iconography, including Buddha images, stupas, and other figures related to Buddhism.

The Thanale Caves attract tourists and history enthusiasts interested in exploring the ancient rock-cut architecture and the cultural heritage of the region. Visitors can explore the caves and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding area.

It’s worth noting that the historical and archaeological significance of the Thanale Caves continues to be studied and documented by researchers and scholars, helping to shed more light on their history and cultural context.

06:00
Once you reach your pick-up point, mark your presence with the SG-Trekkers representative. Then we will travel by private bus to the starting point of the trek.

07:30 – 08:30
An hour of breakfast and tea break. Resume the rest of the journey.

09:45
We arrive at the starting point of our trek i.e. Tailbail Village.
Our field experts will provide pre-trek information and instructions to all participants.

10:00 – 17:00
Now, we start the trek towards the Waghjai Ghat/Waghjai Goddess Temple.

Our trek starts & ends in Tailbail village. Generally one has to get down to Waghjai Ghat first. 1,620 feet. And after visiting and exploring Thanale Caves; We can climb to Tailbail village via “Savashni Ghat”.

After about 6-7 hours of walking, our trek will end at the Tailbail village.

17:00 – 18:00
Refresh yourself. (Washrooms are available)
Let’s have a meal together. Served hot and tasty vegetarian food.

18:00 – 21:00
Start the journey back to Pune with very pleasant memories.

21:00
Reach Pune and it’s time to say goodbye to your travel companion. Let’s stay in touch via phone/social media and meet again for another memorable trip.

SEE YOU SOON! 🙂

Day 1: Highlights

• Altitude: ⇑ 1,620 ft. / ⇓ 1,620 ft.
• Walk (approx.): 8 hrs., 12 km.
• Accommodation: N/A
• Meals: Breakfast, Meal after the Trek