2018-01-31 Wed

GPO to launch special postal covers, featuring caves that will acquaint people with state’s 1,000 odd caves and the history behind them.

Pune's General Post Office (GPO) is all set to launch special postal covers based on the theme of the caves in and around the city. The covers will be sharing one cave each month and brief information about it will be provided. The first in the list is the Bhaje caves located near Lonavala.

There will be a ceremony to launch the covers, wherein an expert will provide all the necessary information about caves around Pune and how many of them are not known to the common public.

City-based archaeologist Saili Palande-Datar said that it is a welcome move by the postmaster general to acknowledge our rich cultural heritage. Maharashtra houses more than 1,000 caves which is the largest number in India due to the availability of basaltic Deccan trap. The Bhaje caves are the oldest datable caves in the state and one of the oldest in India. The study of the Bhaje caves not only help us understand the development of Buddhism but also comprehend royal connections of Satvahana and Kashatrapas dynasties, apart from Indo- Roman trade linkages.