Kondana Caves are a group of ancient caves located in a small village of Kondana in Karjat, India, which are believed to be from the first century. The 16 hidden Buddhist caves found in a lush green forest and surrounded by a waterfall flowing down in a way that covers the caves. Inside the caves, there are adjoining rooms, each has walls carrying sculptures, and images of vihara, chaitya, and stupa. Even in some rooms, one can see beds made of stone and even water storage. However, it remains open for visiting throughout the year, the best time is monsoon as there’s a possibility to see waterfalls. The front entrance and floor of the caves were damaged in early 1900 due to an earthquake.
It is believed that Kondana Caves were formed somewhere in the 1st century and were used by monks during the monsoon
Kondana Caves was first brought to notice in the 19th century by Vishnu Sastri, and soon after visited by Mr. Law, then collector of Thana. They are in the face of a steep scarp, and quite hidden from view by the thick forest in front of them. Water trickles down over the face of the rock above them during a considerable part even of the dry season, and has greatly injured them. So much so indeed that it is now difficult to determine whether they or the caves at Bhaja Caves are the earliest. They must be nearly, if not quite contemporary, and as they must have taken some time to excavate, their dates may overlap to some extent. The Vihara at Kondane certainly looks more modern, while the Chaitya, which is very similar in plan and dimensions to that at Bhaja, is so much ruined that it is impossible now to decide which may have been first completed.
Inside the caves, there are adjoining rooms, each has walls carrying sculptures, and images of vihara, chaitya, and stupa
