- Best for
- Rock-cut heritage and the view over the city
- Distance
- 5 km from the citySource
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hoursSource
- Getting up
- Around 200 steps to climbSource
Why visit Pandavleni Caves
Pandavleni is the part of Nashik that most visitors skip, which is exactly why it is worth going. The caves are cut into a hill above the plain, and the climb up is rewarded with a long view back over the city.
It is also a complete change of register from the rest of a Nashik trip. After the density of Panchavati and the crowds at Trimbakeshwar, a quiet hillside of empty stone rooms is a genuine relief.
Things to see and do
The caves run along the hillside and are explored on foot, one chamber to the next. Reaching them involves a climb, so footwear matters more here than anywhere else in Nashik.
Still being verified
We are confirming opening and darshan hours, entry and any special-darshan fees from official sources before publishing them here, rather than repeating figures we cannot stand behind. Please check current details close to your travel date.
History and significance
The caves are rock-cut monastic chambers, carved into the hillside long before anything else you can visit in Nashik was built. They are the clearest surviving evidence of how old settlement in this part of Maharashtra is.
How to reach Pandavleni Caves
Pandavleni Caves is in Nashik district, Maharashtra. Nashik itself is reachable by train, bus, road and air, and our how to reach Nashik guide sets out the options from Mumbai, Pune and Delhi.
Best time to visit
Nashik's year divides fairly clearly into the monsoon, the cool months that follow it, and a hot stretch before the rains return. Our month-by-month guide to Nashik covers how that plays out across the district.
Still being verified
We are confirming month-by-month conditions specific to this site from official sources before publishing them here, rather than repeating figures we cannot stand behind. Please check current details close to your travel date.
Travel tips
- There is a climb involved. Wear something you can walk up a hill in.
- There is little shade on the way up. Early morning or late afternoon is far more comfortable than the middle of the day.
- Carry water. Facilities on the hill are limited.
Nearby attractions
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Pandavleni Caves?
They are cut into a hillside south of Nashik city, in Nashik district, Maharashtra.
Is there a climb to reach the caves?
Yes — the caves are partway up a hill and are reached on foot. Allow more time and better footwear than a city sight would need.
How do the caves fit into a short Nashik trip?
They work well as a half-day alongside the city. Our two-day itinerary shows one way to sequence it.
Looking for more places nearby?
The caves sit alongside the city’s older heritage and the hill country beyond it.