Kholvi monastery, (near) Bhawani Mandi, Rajasthan, IN

Raw data

This site is located in the Jhalawar district of Rajasthan and consists of 45 caves, most of them monasteries. The architecture suggests early occupation (perhaps 1st century CE) but also excavations in the eighth century CE. There are other Buddhist remains at nearby Vinayaga and Hathiagar.
See D.C. Ahir, Buddhist Sites and Shrines in India: History, Art and Architecture (Delhi: Indian Books Centre, 2003) p.232 -233.
Src: IN
Input by: SG , Apr 3, 2009

"At Kholvi in the Jhalawar State is a series of rock-cut temples, interesting as being probably the most modern group of Buddhist caves in India; they are believed to date from A. D. 700 to 900." Imperial Gazetter of India, Volume 21, page 103
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_109.gif

"At Kholvi, not far from Uhumnar [i.e. Dhamnar - tmc], is the most modern group of Buddhist caves in India. One called Arjun's house is a highly ornamented dagoba. Inside is a cross-legged seated figure of Buddha. The only excavation here is a chaitya hall 26 feet by 18 feet."
http://ibrary.britishcouncil.org.in/IndiaCollections/CyclopediaOfIndiaVol1-C(Part2).pdf

"Kolvi Caves - Kolvi is a village 3 kms in the west of Kyasara, reached from Chaumahala or Bhavani Mandi Railway Stations which are at a distance of 26 kms. and 61 kms. respectively from Dag."
Encyclopaedia of tourism resources in India, Volume 1 By Manohar Sajnani pp. 289.
http://books.google.com/books?id=vdMNBxOsvrUC&pg=PA289&lpg=PA289

"A similar series of caves is situated at Poladongar near Garot, and others are found at Kholvi, Awar, and Benaiga in Jhalawar and at Hatigaon and Ramagaon in Tonk, all within a radius of 20 miles."
[A. Cunningham, Archaeological Survey of India, VOL ii, p. 270. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Volume 11, page 283
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_289.gif

Input by: tmciolek, Dec 5, 2009

"The rock-cut monasteries of Kolvi, Vinayaka, Gunai and Hathyagod in Jhalawar district in south-east Rajasthan may be attributed to the post Ashoka period, when Buddhism enjoyed royal support in this region. […] The Buddhist monasteries of Kolvi, Vinayaka, Gunai and Hathyagod have excellent approach roads and may be conveniently reached from Bhawanimandi or Ramganjmandi, which are two important halts on Delhi – Mumbai railway line. Most of the important superfast trains stop at these stations. The road links are available from Kota and Jhalawar. […] KOLVI – The hillock of Kolvi stands a little detached from the main road and as one turns on the red gravel road leading to the monastery, he finds himself in the auspicious presence of Lord Buddha. The exhilaration of being in a holy place increases with each step, while ascending the stairs to reach the top of the hillock. The first bell shaped structure is a temple, well decorated with auspicious symbols in relief. The Buddha idols in sitting as well as standing poses have been placed in the stupa shaped temples, some large and some small. The bell shaped stupas with Buddha idols in different poses, engraved in relief, are scattered all over the monastery. One may find the ruins of over 64 living quarters for the monks, conference and meditation halls, but presently 45 rock-cut structures are safe after the ravages of time. There are even double storeyed living quarters, carved in the hillock, which are marvels of rock-cut architecture. Some of the meditation halls have floor to ceiling stupas in the center to facilitate circumambulation, which is a ritual oft repeated by the devotees to pay their obeisance to the Lord. The hand carved windows, Jharokhas, and the rock beds provide few comforts to the monks, who are otherwise tuned to live a very austere life."
http://www.cygnusadventuretours.com/Buddhist_Photo.htm
Input by: tmciolek, Jun 4, 2010

"Kolvi Caves - Ancient Buddhist Caves located in and around the village of Kolvi, Vinayaka & Hathiagor are of great importance, both archeologically and historically. A colossal figure of Buddha, carved Stupas are some of the highlight of these Caves. These caves prove that a flourishing Civilization existed here several centuries ago & under the Buddhist influence.
The Buddhist caves at Kolvi was the Monastic complex comprising about fifty rock cut caves carved out in the laterite rock hill. Most of the caves on the south side are still in good condition. Though Buddha images are carved in niches but the absence of Bodhisattva figures suggests influence of hinayana here. Some of the caves have either are either open or have pillared verandah. The complex has chaityagriha, stupa, and a sanctuary inside with a colossal figure of seated Buddha in a dhyana mudhra on a pedestal. Having been open to nature these caves have suffered heavily yet the remains are ofimportance."
http://www.bundikota.com/jhalawar.htm

"The rock-cut Buddhist monasteries of Hadoti are located on the table- top hillocks in Jhalawar district bordering Madhya Pradesh. […] The rock-cut monasteries of Kolvi, Vinayaka, Gunai and Hathyagod in Jhalawar district in south-east Rajasthan may be attributed to the post Ashoka period, when Buddhism enjoyed royal support in this region.
[…]
KOLVI – The hillock of Kolvi stands a little detached from the main road and as one turns on the red gravel road leading to the monastery, he finds himself in the auspicious presence of Lord Buddha. The exhilaration of being in a holy place increases with each step, while ascending the stairs to reach the top of the hillock. The first bell shaped structure is a temple, well decorated with auspicious symbols in relief. The Buddha idols in sitting as well as standing poses have been placed in the stupa shaped temples, some large and some small. The bell shaped stupas with Buddha idols in different poses, engraved in relief , are scattered all over the monastery. One may find the ruins of over 64 living quarters for the monks, conference and meditation halls, but presently 45 rock-cut structures are safe after the ravages of time. There are even double storeyed living quarters, carved in the hillock, which are marvels of rock-cut architecture. Some of the meditation halls have floor to ceiling stupas in the center to facilitate circumambulation, which is a ritual oft repeated by the devotees to pay their obeisance to the Lord. The hand carved windows, Jharokhas, and the rock beds provide few comforts to the monks, who are otherwise tuned to live a very austere life.
The top of the hillock is a veritable natural garden with fragrant herbs and bushes. A flight of stairs has been provided to the top, so the monks could enjoy its natural beauty and look over the thin blue strip of Kyasari river flowing below the monastery. The banks of the river provide an excellent site for camping. It may provide an ideal opportunity to the tourist to enjoy the serenity and antiquity of the place."
http://chambalatkota.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/buddhist-tourism-in-hadoti/

Approx., Kolvi (24°01' N, 75 °50' O) (= Lat 24.01666667 Long 75.83333333 - tmciolek) - (Golzio (2010:46) citing Mitra (1971: 135-140)
Approx., Kholvi Lat 23.95777778 Long 75.83138889 - http://www.collinsmaps.com/maps/India/Rajasthan/Jhalawar/Kholvi/P863611.00.aspx

"The Kolvi Complex (protected by the ASI and also the most approachable cave) can be accessed from the Bhawani Mandi railhead [Lat 24.419 Long 75.830 - tmciolek, 26 Sep 2012]; a 3-km long gravel path to the right side of the main road will lead you here. Do remember that you need to climb up by about 200 ft before you reach the cave. A steep walk up a hill will get you to both the Vinayaka and Hathyagod caves as well. […]
The Gunai Cave - A short distance away [from Kholvi caves], has nine residential quarters. The Kayavarneshwar Shiva Temple, with a lotus pond, is a little further on, and is quite crowded with devotees on Maha Shivaratri. The Vinayaka Cave Complex is full of bats and is the farthest from the main road. It has 23 residential quarters (some double-storeyed) and a stupa-like temple structure. Though the Hathyagod Cave is the first one from the Bhawani Mandi side, you may want to visit it on your return to Jhalawar. A tough climb up the hill will take you to the cave's rock-cut temple and 11 residential cells."
http://www.theholidaytrip.com/domestic/rajasthan/Jhalawar/Jhalawar-Around.html

Input by: tmciolek, Sep 25, 2012

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 14 Jan 2013

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 2km from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Kholvi monastery, IN.

General location of the Kholvi monastery, IN.
Lat 24.3624 Long 75.8047
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://maps.fallingrain.com), 2009.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=24.3624+75.8047+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Kholvi%20monastery,%20IN)&ll=24.3624,75.8047&spn=05.0,05.0&t=k&hl=en

Final data - explanatory notes

1. Monastery's name

  • Kholvi monastery

2. Monastery's modern country & province

  • India:State of Rajasthan

3. Monastery's alternative/historical names

4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries

6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village

7. The settlement's alternative/historical names

8. The settlement's coordinates

  • Bhawani Mandi railhead - Lat 24.419 Long 75.830 - based on identification of the railway station in maps and satellite imagery, maps.google.com, tmciolek, 26 Sep 2012]

9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition

10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition

  • [missing data]

11. Date-early

  • Possible early occupation (perhaps 1st century CE) - D.C. Ahir (2003:232 -233).
  • MBM chrono-tag <=0200 - tmciolek 14 Jan 2014
  • 0700-32p 0733-66p 0767-99p 0800-32p 0833-66p 0867-99p dated-xx

12. Date-intermediate

  • Evidence of excavations of the caves in the eighth century CE. - D.C. Ahir (2003:232 -233).
  • MBM chrono-tag 0700-32p 0733-66p 0767-99p - tmciolek 14 Jan 2014
  • The caves are believed to date from A. D. 700 to 900. - Imperial Gazetter of India, Volume 21, page 103

http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_109.gif

  • MBM chrono-tag 0700-32p 0733-66p 0767-99p 0800-32p 0833-66p 0867-99p - tmciolek 14 Jan 2014

13. Date-late

  • [missing data]

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries

  • [missing data]

15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • archaeological

16. Additional notes

17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by

  • [missing data]

end of page

0700-32p0733-66p0767-99p0800-32p0833-66p0867-99p2kmcavedated-xxindiakplacesouth-asiastupatrad.theravada
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