Kharosa Caves

Kharosa Caves, This cave is located in Kharosa village of Ausa taluka in Latur district. 45 km from Latur on the Latur-Nilanga road and 45 km from Dharashiv Caves. 82 km. In the distance are these caves. This cave is famous as ‘Kharosa Caves’ due to the village of Kharosa at the base of the caves. These caves are carved in the middle of a Jamba (laterite) rock mountain. It has a total of 12 caves. On the other side of the hill is the temple of Renukadevi.

History
A Scottish official, James Burgess, first drew the attention of scholars to these caves. A reference to the place ‘Kharosa’ is found in the Marathi treatise Kalpajumpur, among the places beneficial to alchemy. The Lakola cave is similar to the three Hindu caves at Badami in terms of its plan and general features. Therefore, James Fergusson and Burgess consider the period of this cave to be the second half of the 6th century. According to his opinion, overall the caves at Kharosa are Excavated between 500 and 700 BC. During this period, the Badami Chalukya dynasty ruled the region. According to Viraj Shah, Jain cave at Kharosa. It may have been excavated in the 8th-9th century. The importance of the Kharosa caves in the pre-medieval period is highlighted by seeing the cave collection at Kharosa.

Current Status

On the hilltop of the caves is a later temple of Renuka Mata, as well as a dargah. Caves named ‘Mahadev’ and ‘Lakola’ are typical in this group of caves and other caves are of secondary type.
Two Storey Caves

The first cave is a Buddhist cave, which contains an idol of Lord Buddha in a sitting position. The statue of Buddha is new, the statue is painted. Other caves have a Shivalinga and are visited by many people out of reverence. Big Shiva Lingams are seen in many caves. Mythical artefacts are seen carved in the caves. Some caves are seen in an incomplete state. As the rocks are not very strong, the caves have been eroded a lot with the passage of time. Currently, no artworks are visible in this system.

How to reach?:

By Air
The nearest airports to reach this place are Pune (370 km), Hyderabad (298 km), Aurangabad (264 km).

By Rail
Latur District Railway is connected to Mumbai (430 km), Pune (338 km), Nanded (186 km), Hyderabad (243 km). It has the facility of trains. The railway station is Latur Railway Station, Latur Road Railway Station and Harangul Railway Stations under Latur Headquarters.

By Road
Regular state transport buses are available from any Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus stand. National Highway 62 passes through Ausa taluka in Latur district.

Kharosa Caves are two km away on the Lamjana-Nilanga road.

Address : Kharosa Caves, Kharosa-Nilanga Road, Ausa Dist.Latur 413521
Lamjana-Nilanga Road