Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport/ Pune International Airport/ पुणे आंतरराष्ट्रीय विमानतळ, Lohegaon, Pune, Maharashtra.

The visit to Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport, Pune, was part of “Rock Cut Cave Temples of Maharashtra Visit”, from 28th February to 3rd March 2026.

HISTORY OF THE PUNE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Established in 1939 as RAF Poona to secure Mumbai during World War II, Pune Airport (PNQ) in Lohegaon transitioned to the Royal Indian Air Force in 1947. Primarily a defence airbase, it later developed civil operations, becoming a major international hub with a new terminal and 24/7 operations, serving Pune's growing infrastructure.

Establishment (1939): The airfield was built by the British as a Royal Air Force base to provide air security to Mumbai.

World War II Era: The base was used for squadrons operating de Havilland Mosquito, Vickers Wellington, and Supermarine Spitfire aircraft.

Post-Independence (1947): The Royal Indian Air Force took charge of the airfield in May 1947.

Civil Operations: The airport evolved from a pure military base into a joint-use airport, handling increasing civilian passenger traffic.

Modernisation: In recent years, it has undergone significant upgrades, including a new, larger terminal building to handle higher capacity, and it functions as a 24/7 airport.

Recent Developments: In September 2024, the airport was officially named Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport by the Maharashtra government.

Future Plans: Due to constraints on expanding the existing defence-linked, land-locked Lohegaon site, a new Greenfield International Airport is proposed in the Purandar area of the Pune district.

The airport is currently operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and features two terminals and a runway of 2,450 meters.

Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj.

He was a revered 17th-century Marathi saint and poet from the Bhakti movement in India. He is particularly associated with the Varkari sect, a devotional tradition dedicated to Lord Vithoba (Vitthal), an incarnation of Vishnu. His philosophy focused on equality, compassion and devotion to God. He rejected the rigid caste system and criticised blind ritualism, emphasising inner spirituality over external practices. His Abhangas (devotional poems) are considered masterpieces of Marathi literature. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rajyaabhishek Ceremony

The great and iconic warrior-King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Kingdom in India. The artwork of his coronation (Rajyaabhishek -held on 6th June 1674) has great significance in the history of Maharashtra and India, as it marks the establishment of an independent Maratha Empire (Hindavi Swarajya) and the resurgence of the Hindu rule in the region during the time of Mughal dominance. The event was much more than just a commemorative event as it displayed high values, vision of the sovereign Maratha State and efforts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to protect his people. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a benevolent ruler who displayed prowess on the battlefield and undertook the nation-building oath when he was only 15. The use of vibrant colours in the artwork speaks volumes of his royalty, popularity and admiration among people. Even today, Maharashtra celebrates his coronation ceremony every year with expansive processions, folk dance and enactments of stories from the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The 3D mural has been done in a realistic style with the use of vibrant colours to bring a close representation of the grand event.

LOCATION OF THE AIRPORT: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Kanheri Caves /कान्हेरी गुहा, Mumbai, Maharashtra State /महाराष्ट्र, India. Part – 7, Cave No. 50, and 93.

The visit to Kanheri Rock Cut Cave Nos. 50 and 93, of Mumbai, was part of “Rock Cut Cave Temples of Maharashtra Visit”, from 28th February to 3rd March 2026.

The largest and one of the earliest Buddhist cave complexes in India is located at Kanheri, which lies on the eastern side of Borivali in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai. The name Kanheri has been derived from Kanhagiri in Prakrit, as mentioned in the Nasik inscription of Satvahana king Vashathiputra Pulumavi. In Sanskrit, it is known as Krishnagiri, meaning dark Hills like the colour of Krishna. Kanheri was frequently mentioned in the travelogues of foreign travellers. It is a unique Buddhist monastic establishment which sheds light on different phases of the development of cave architecture from the 2nd century CE to the 11th century CE. The various Buddhist sects were coeval and flourished at Kanheri, like the Mahasamghikas, Chetiyas, and Parasellyas. Bhadravaniya. Dharmottariyas, Saddharmapundarika sect in Vajrayana Buddhism. The site reflects a beautiful blend of art and architecture of the Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism, with enormous epigraphical data of their respective contemporary period.

 

There are more than 110 caves, hewed out of volcanic breccia (rock composed of broken fragments of minerals), considered as a single rock. These caves spread over half a kilometre in length, hewn on different terrace on either side of a seasonal rivulet. These caves are of two types: chaitya and viharas. The chaitya consists of a sanctum, verandah and outer courtyard approached through a flight of steps with flanking water cisterns on either side. The water cisterns are chiselled in the rock, so that the direct rainwater is channelled into these cisterns. This gives evidence of an ancient rainwater harvesting system. The viharas are architecturally monotypic but variable in size with one or multiple cells, a verandah with two or more pillars in front, and an open courtyard with rock-cut benches along the walls.

  

The cave numbers 3, 11, 34, 41, 67, 87 and 90 are most important and are incepted eloquently with pillars, grilled walls and images. In this article, we are uploading some images of the caves No. 50 and 93 with inscriptions. 

CAVE No. 50.

There are a few sculptures in this Cave. Buddha is shown here in meditation with various mudras. An inscription is found at the entrance of the inner cave. Two jalas with a simple design are on both sides of the entrance to the cave, for natural lighting and ventilation.

Jala

CAVE No. 93.

There are a few sculptures in this Cave. Buddha is shown here in Muchilindra form, i.e. with Cobra hood & inscription on the water cistern.

LOCATION OF THE CAVES: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Kanheri Caves /कान्हेरी गुहा, Mumbai, Maharashtra State /महाराष्ट्र, India. Part – 6, Cave No 90.

The visit to Kanheri Rock Cut Cave No. 90, of Mumbai, was part of “Rock Cut Cave Temples of Maharashtra Visit”, from 28th Feb February to 3rd March 2026.

The largest and one of the earliest Buddhist cave complexes in India is located at Kanheri, which lies on the eastern side of Borivali in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai. The name Kanheri has been derived from Kanhagiri in Prakrit, as mentioned in the Nasik inscription of Satvahana king Vashathiputra Pulumavi. In Sanskrit, it is known as Krishnagiri, meaning dark Hills like the colour of Krishna. Kanheri was frequently mentioned in the travelogues of foreign travellers. It is a unique Buddhist monastic establishment which sheds light on different phases of the development of cave architecture from the 2nd century CE to the 11th century CE. The various Buddhist sects were coeval and flourished at Kanheri, like the Mahasamghikas, Chetiyas, and Parasellyas. Bhadravaniya. Dharmottariyas, Saddharmapundarika sect in Vajrayana Buddhism. The site reflects a beautiful blend of art and architecture of the Hinayana and Mahayana sects of Buddhism, with enormous epigraphical data of their respective contemporary period.

 

There are more than 110 caves, hewed out of volcanic breccia (rock composed of broken fragments of minerals), considered as a single rock. These caves spread over half a kilometre in length, hewn on different terrace on either side of a seasonal rivulet. These caves are of two types: chaitya and viharas. The chaitya consists of a sanctum, verandah and outer courtyard approached through a flight of steps with flanking water cisterns on either side. The water cisterns are chiselled in the rock, so that the direct rainwater is channelled into these cisterns. This gives evidence of an ancient rainwater harvesting system. The viharas are architecturally monotypic but variable in size with one or multiple cells, a verandah with two or more pillars in front, and an open courtyard with rock-cut benches along the walls.

  

The cave numbers 3, 11, 34, 41, 67, 87 and 90 are most important and are incepted eloquently with pillars, grilled walls and images. In the early Hinayana caves, Buddha is symbolised in the form of a stupa, a bodhi tree and footprints, while in later caves of the Mahayana period, Buddha is displayed in different postures like dharmachakrapravartana mudra, vyakhyanmudra, varada mudras, etc. The other important images carved in the caves are Avalokiteshvara, Dipankara Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Muchalinda Naga, etc.

CAVE NO. 90

The cave contains sculpture panels depicting Buddha in various forms. The sculptures in this cave are most fascinating and alluring. They are plenty in number as well as amply different in character. To the right, inside the cave, some very interesting panels, such as the Buddhist Litany, are exhibited, where ten aspects of human calamities are displayed. The panels start from the left side of Padmapani (with Tara and Bhrikuti). An enraged elephant, a Lion, a Cobra, a fire, a ship wreck and to his right a wild animal, an old woman, a robber, and the last one is indistinct. The same panel is depicted in Ajanta and Ellora. However, it is shown with Tara at Ellora, on the facade of the cave. No. 9.

In the middle of the cave, a well-decorated throne is shown with two attendants. In the background is Buddha seated on a lotus flower supported by Naga Kings underneath, and above is a unique sculpture of Indra with a crown, and in the background human figure with a thunderbolt shown above his forehead. This type of composition is also displayed in Ellora, but with the Ayudha Purusha separately.

INSCRIPTIONS

This cave contains inscriptions in different Languages. The Pallavi inscription on the pillars, at the entrance of the cave and a Chinese inscription on the front wall to our left.

Chinese inscription

LOCATION OF KANHERI CAVES: CLICK HERE

The original images may be polished and painted- See the stomach portion

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---