The Sana Buddhist Caves are a large group of early rock-cut Buddhist caves on a flat-topped hill at Shana Vankiya, in Una taluka of Gir Somnath district, Gujarat. Cut into soft rock on a plateau about 25–28 km northeast of the town of Una, the group is counted among the earliest Buddhist cave sites in western India. It is austere, quiet and far from the usual Saurashtra tourist trail, which is part of its appeal for anyone who likes archaeology without crowds.
Sana Buddhist Caves (also called the Shana Dungar caves) are a set of about 62 rock-cut shelters, chaityas, stupas and water tanks carved into a hill in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat. Most sources date them to between the 1st century BCE and the early centuries CE, placing them among the oldest Buddhist caves in western India.
Key takeaways
- The Sana Buddhist Caves sit on a flat-topped hill at Shana Vankiya, Una taluka, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat — about 25–28 km northeast of Una town.
- The group has roughly 62 rock-cut caves with stupas, three chaitya grihas (apsidal prayer halls), pillared halls, benches and rock-cut water tanks, according to the Archaeological Survey of India-linked and state tourism descriptions.
- Most sources date the caves to between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE; Incredible India calls them the oldest Buddhist caves in western India.
- The largest cave, Cave 2 (locally “Bhima-ni-Cori”), is about 21 m deep and 18.3 m wide with six pillars.
- Best visited November to February; the nearest airport is Diu (about 63 km from Somnath), and Una is the nearest town and road hub.
- This is an open, unticketed archaeological site with no documented entry fee or official timings — plan a daylight visit and reconfirm access locally.
About the Sana Buddhist Caves
The Sana Buddhist Caves are an early Buddhist cave complex carved into a single flat-topped hill, called Sana Hill, at Shana Vankiya in Una taluka, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat. The hill borders Jafrabad taluka of neighbouring Amreli district. According to the state tourism listing and the Archaeological Survey of India-linked descriptions, the group contains about 62 rock-cut caves on a spur, reached by steps cut into the rock.
These are not painted or sculpture-heavy caves like Ajanta. They are plain, functional monastic spaces — cells, verandahs, prayer halls and water tanks — belonging to the early, austere phase of Buddhist rock-cut architecture, before large figurative images of the Buddha became common.
A note on the name. Two different places in Gujarat are sometimes both called “Sana caves”. This guide is about the large Shana Dungar group at Vankiya in Gir Somnath. It is a separate site from the two small Buddhist caves at Prabhas Patan near the Somnath temple in Veraval, which are later (often dated to the 3rd–4th century CE) and much smaller. Older records also list the Vankiya site under Junagadh or Amreli district, because Gir Somnath district was only carved out of Junagadh in 2013; the caves themselves did not move.
| Location | Shana Vankiya, Una taluka, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Shana Dungar Buddhist Caves; Sana caves |
| Type | Early rock-cut Buddhist cave group (monastery) |
| Number of caves | About 62 rock-cut shelters, chaityas and tanks |
| Likely period | 1st century BCE to 1st century CE (sources vary; some say 2nd century BCE) |
| Nearest town | Una, about 25–28 km southwest |
| Nearest airport | Diu Airport |
| Entry | Open archaeological site; no documented ticket or fee |
| Time needed | 1.5–2.5 hours at the site |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Sana Buddhist Caves is November to February, when Saurashtra is dry and mild. Gujarat’s coast is hot for much of the year, so cooler months make the climb and the exposed hilltop comfortable. The monsoon greens the landscape but makes rock-cut steps slippery.
The caves themselves were originally monsoon-season shelters for monks, but for a modern visitor the practical window is winter. Avoid the middle of the day in summer; start early whatever the season.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov–Feb | Best window. Dry, mild days, comfortable for the hill climb. |
| Summer | Mar–Jun | Hot and exposed on the hilltop; visit only early morning. |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Green and dramatic, but steps are slippery; carry grip footwear. |
| Post-monsoon | Oct | Warm but easing; a reasonable shoulder season. |
How to reach the Sana Buddhist Caves
The Sana Buddhist Caves are reached via Una, the nearest town and road hub, roughly 25–28 km to the southwest; from Una you drive to Vankiya and then walk up the hill. There is no direct public transport to the caves, so most visitors come by private car or taxi. Distances below are approximate and should be reconfirmed locally.
By air. Diu Airport is the nearest airport. According to Incredible India, Diu is about 63 km from Somnath; Diu is also close to Una. Rajkot and Porbandar airports are larger alternatives for more flight options, both several hours away by road.
By rail. Una and Delvada have small railway stations connected to Veraval and Junagadh; Veraval–Somnath is the main regional junction with wider connections. Train services on these branch lines are limited — check current trains and timings on IRCTC/Indian Railways before you plan.
By road. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) and private buses serve Una and nearby Diu and Somnath. From Una you will need a taxi or your own vehicle for the last stretch to Vankiya and the caves, as the site is rural.
| From | Distance (approx.) | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Una town | 25–28 km | Taxi / car |
| Vankiya village | About 3 km | Car then walk |
| Diu | Around 40–50 km | Car / taxi |
| Somnath (Veraval) | Around 80–90 km | Car / taxi |
| Diu Airport | Nearest airport | Air |
What to see at the caves
At the Sana Buddhist Caves you see a working early monastery frozen in rock: prayer halls with stupas, living cells with benches, pillared verandahs and a remarkable set of rock-cut water tanks. The caves sit at different heights on the hill spur, linked by steps cut into the stone, so exploring them is a gentle climb rather than a single viewpoint.
The standout features, drawn from the state tourism and ASI-linked descriptions, include:
- Chaitya grihas (prayer halls). Three chaitya grihas have apsidal (rounded-end) walls and flat ceilings — the hall type built for communal worship around a stupa.
- Stupas. The complex includes rock-cut stupas, the hemispherical reliquary mounds that were the focus of veneration in this early, aniconic phase.
- Viharas (monks’ dwellings). Pillared verandahs with one or two cells each, where monks lived; many cells have rock-cut benches along their walls.
- Water tanks (cisterns). Several tanks cut into the rock, with walls on three sides and an oblong mouth, show careful water harvesting for the dry months — a design the tourism description compares to the Kanheri caves near Mumbai.
| Cave | What makes it notable |
|---|---|
| Cave 2 (“Bhima-ni-Cori”) | The largest: about 21 m deep, 18.3 m wide, with a ceiling about 5.3 m high and six pillars. |
| Caves 13 and 26 | Long verandahs on raised basements, with simple pillars. |
| Cave 48 | Two halls of different sizes, each with benches around the perimeter. |
| Water tanks | Multiple rock-cut cisterns across the group, evidence of organised water harvesting. |
Because the site is open and largely uninterpreted, there are few signboards. Reading a little before you go, or hiring a knowledgeable local guide from Una, makes the layout far easier to appreciate.
A suggested itinerary
The Sana Buddhist Caves work best as a half-day detour within a wider Saurashtra trip rather than a standalone destination. If you are already exploring the region on a Gujarat travel itinerary, pairing the caves with Diu or Somnath makes a full, satisfying day.
- Morning: Drive from Una or Diu to Vankiya. Climb the hill early, while it is cool, and spend 1.5–2.5 hours exploring the caves, chaitya halls and water tanks.
- Midday: Return to Una for lunch. Carry water and snacks, as there are no reliable facilities at the caves.
- Afternoon: Continue to Diu for its beaches and Portuguese-era fort, or towards Somnath for the coastal temple town.
With two days, add Gir National Park (for lions) or the temple town of Somnath, both within driving range, and treat Sana as the quiet archaeological morning of the trip.
Where to stay
There is no accommodation at the Sana Buddhist Caves themselves; the nearest practical bases are Diu, Una and Somnath. Diu has the widest choice, from budget rooms to seafront mid-range hotels; Una has simpler lodges; Somnath has pilgrim-oriented hotels and some government options. Book ahead in the winter peak and around festivals.
Indicative nightly ranges below are planning estimates (reconfirm — as of October 2026):
- Budget: around ₹800–1,800 for basic rooms and guesthouses in Una or Diu.
- Mid-range: around ₹2,000–4,500 for comfortable hotels, more for seafront rooms in Diu.
- Higher-end: around ₹5,000 and up for Diu’s better beach resorts, with seasonal peaks.
Gujarat Tourism’s accommodation and the Diu administration’s tourism pages are useful for government and listed options; verify tariffs at the time of booking.
Food to try nearby
There is no food at the caves, so eat in Una, Diu or Somnath. The regional cooking is Kathiawadi (the Saurashtra style of Gujarati food) — largely vegetarian, with a few local specialities worth seeking out.
- Kathiawadi thali (a platter of rotla, dal, kadhi, shaak and chaas) — the everyday regional meal.
- Rotlo (thick millet flatbread) with ringan no olo (roasted-aubergine mash) and jaggery.
- Seafood in Diu — being a coastal, formerly Portuguese enclave, Diu’s restaurants serve fish and prawns, unusually for the region.
- Chaas (spiced buttermilk) and fresh coconut water, welcome on a hot hilltop day.
Budget breakdown
A visit to the Sana Buddhist Caves is inexpensive because there is no entry fee documented and the main cost is transport to a rural site. The table below is a planning estimate for two people on a one-day trip from Diu or Una, excluding your stay (as of October 2026 — reconfirm).
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private taxi (half/full day) | 1,800–3,500 | Return, including the rough last stretch to Vankiya |
| Site entry | 0 | No documented ticket or fee |
| Local guide (optional) | 500–1,000 | Arranged from Una; improves the visit |
| Food and water | 400–800 | Lunch in town; carry water to the site |
| Approx. total (two people) | 2,700–5,300 | Excludes accommodation and flights |
Permits, rules and conservation
No special permit is needed to visit the Sana Buddhist Caves — there is no Inner Line Permit or protected-area pass for this part of Gir Somnath district, and the site is an open archaeological area. (If you also plan Gir National Park for lions, that reserve has its own separate permit and safari booking.)
Because the caves are open and lightly managed, behave as you would at any heritage site: do not touch or climb on the stupas and carvings, carry out your litter, and avoid the plastic that Gujarat’s rules discourage. There is no documented drone policy specific to the site; drone use in India is governed by DGCA rules, so check those and local permissions before flying.
Conservation note. The Sana caves have drawn attention over their upkeep. Press reports in 2024 (Religion News Service, BuddhistDoor) described Buddhist groups protesting the site’s neglect and the alteration of a signboard that had identified it as Buddhist. Gujarat has, separately, listed Sana among the sites in its Buddhist tourism circuit, and a state minister said in early 2025 that visitor facilities had been completed at 12 circuit sites. Treat facilities on the ground as basic and changing.
Practical tips
- Mobile and cash: This is rural Saurashtra. Carry cash — UPI and card acceptance are patchy near the site — and expect variable mobile network on the hill.
- Water and sun: There are no shops or taps at the caves. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen; the hilltop is exposed.
- Footwear: Wear shoes with grip. The approach uses steps cut into rock, which are uneven and can be slippery after rain.
- Medical: The nearest hospitals and clinics are in Una; carry any personal medication, as there is nothing at the site.
- Guide and timing: Visit in the morning, allow about two hours, and consider a local guide from Una, as there is little on-site interpretation.
- Solo and women travellers: The site is remote and quiet; go with a driver or companion, tell someone your plan, and aim to be down before dusk.
Nearby places
The Sana Buddhist Caves pair naturally with the coast and with Gir. Many travellers reach this corner of Saurashtra from Ahmedabad; our Ahmedabad travel guide helps plan the gateway leg of the trip.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Diu | 40–50 km | Beaches, Portuguese-era fort and churches, seafood |
| Somnath / Veraval | 80–90 km | Famous coastal Jyotirlinga temple town |
| Gir National Park (Sasan Gir) | Within driving range | Last wild home of the Asiatic lion (separate permit) |
| Prabhas Patan Buddhist caves | Near Somnath | The smaller, later caves often confused with Sana |
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Sana Buddhist Caves located?
The Sana Buddhist Caves are at Shana Vankiya in Una taluka, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat, on a flat-topped hill about 25–28 km northeast of Una town. Older records sometimes list the area under Junagadh or Amreli, because Gir Somnath district was created from Junagadh in 2013.
How old are the Sana caves and who built them?
Most sources date the Sana Buddhist Caves to between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE, with some suggesting the 2nd century BCE. They were cut by Buddhist monastic communities as shelters and prayer halls. Incredible India describes them as among the oldest Buddhist caves in western India.
How many caves are there at Sana?
The Sana group has about 62 rock-cut caves, according to state tourism and ASI-linked descriptions. They include three apsidal chaitya grihas (prayer halls), rock-cut stupas, pillared viharas with cells and benches, and several water tanks. The largest, Cave 2, is roughly 21 m deep and 18.3 m wide.
Is there an entry fee or timings for the Sana Buddhist Caves?
No entry fee or official opening hours are documented in primary sources for the Sana Buddhist Caves; it is an open, lightly managed archaeological site. Plan a daylight visit, ideally in the morning, and reconfirm access and any local arrangements before you go, as on-site facilities are basic.
How do I reach the Sana Buddhist Caves?
Reach the Sana Buddhist Caves via Una, the nearest town, then drive to Vankiya and climb the hill. The nearest airport is Diu; Una and Veraval are the nearest useful railheads. There is no direct bus to the caves, so use a taxi or private car for the final rural stretch.
Are the Sana caves the same as the Buddhist caves near Somnath?
No. The large Sana (Shana Dungar) caves at Vankiya in Gir Somnath are a separate, earlier site from the two small Buddhist caves at Prabhas Patan near the Somnath temple in Veraval. The Prabhas Patan caves are later, often dated to the 3rd–4th century CE, and are frequently confused with Sana in media and listings.
Last updated and sources
Go if you like early archaeology and quiet, rural sites rather than polished monuments; pair the caves with Diu or Somnath. Winter mornings, November to February, are the time to climb the hill in comfort.
Last updated: 31 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India, Buddhist heritage — Sana caves (incredibleindia.org) and Gir Somnath (incredibleindia.gov.in); Gujarat Tourism, Buddhist circuit (gujarattourism.com); CPR Environmental Education Centre ecoheritage, Sana Caves (ecoheritage.cpreec.org); Diu administration, How to reach (diu.gov.in); Wikipedia summary of the site citing Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (en.wikipedia.org); Religion News Service (religionnews.com) and BuddhistDoor (buddhistdoor.net) on conservation. Accessed September 2026.
