Aravalem Caves or Pandav Caves

Aravalem Caves is in Bicholim Taluka approximate 45 Km. from the city of Panjim. This Caves are know as "Pandav Caves".

Aravalem Caves Excavated in the laterite hill consisting of two major caves and a residential cambers. The first phase of excavation includes three shrines(triple shrine). The first cave of the triple shrine on the north-west side is a square chamber having pitha in the centre, enshrined by a linga like shaft of schistose provided in its visible top form as a disc or circular, perhaps standing for solar disc. The rectangular part below the disc-top contains an inscription “sambapuravasi ravi” a name of donor in early part of the 7th century A.D. characters. This indicates syncretisation of siva and surya and matches with the name of donor. The central shrine with a similar pitha, enshrined by a linga with visible cylindrical top and square bottom which would conveniently recall the early usage at ellora, elephanta etc.

The third shirne on the south-east side had a similar rock out pitha also having similar shaft with the inscription, which assumes the form of a spearhead, a possible representation of kartikeya. It seems to be reasonable to assume the combination of saiva, kaumara and surya cults displayed here in the same manner as the southern pandyan caves.

The second phase cave is provided by a pillared façade, fairly well finished and contains a rock-cut laterite pitha platform, in the centre of which is found a linga shaft with visible cylindrical part. A part from the above cave shrines there is one mare at the extreme corner of north-west with a similar pitha enshrined by a linga with inscriptions on the shaft in the last quarter of the 6th century A.D. Brahmi Charaters.

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Nearer there is a waterfall know by its place "Arvalem Waterfall" and Rudreshwar Temple where the ancient linga of Rudreshwar is worshipped.