The Rivona Caves are also known as the Pandava caves. The caves are situated in the village of Rivona in South Goa at a distance of about 5 kilometres from Ponda. These caves are apparently dug by the Buddhist monks in the 6th or 7th century. The village of Rivona remained isolated in the early days. The place was considered pertinent by the monks and priests for their meditation because of the beauty and serenity of the location that surrounded Rivona.

Location of Rivona Caves
The Rivona Caves are situated in the Rivona village of south of Goa.

History of Rivona Caves
Rivona Caves are also recognized as Pandava Caves and they have been assessed to have been built in the 6th or the 7th centuries by Buddhist monks. Buddhism was spreading to all over the country and Goa was no exclusion. In the far deep inside the forest areas, the caves were carved out of rock faces by the monks making them their housing and meditation parts. Though the historians consider the monks to have been the ones to have built these caves and lived here, the locals believe otherwise. They strongly believe that the caves were the dwelling of the Pandavas throughout their period in exile.

Attractions of Rivona Caves
Rivona caves are among the chief tourist attractions in the state. While visiting the Buddhist caves at Rivona one can see a `Pitha` carved out of laterite. The `Pitha` is believed to have served as the seat of the teacher. The main entrance of the caves is situated beside a small stepped well or a tank which is placed at the bottom of the rock. The main door is also flanked by a 16th century bas-relief of Lord Hanuman, the Hindu monkey God. The entrance door leads its visitors to a cell on the upper level.

The small compartments are an exciting souvenir that other than Hinduism, Islam and Christianity religions also made it to Goa. There"s a small stairway cut through the rock between the higher and lower levels of the caves. There is a well that to a certain extent is similar to a Havan Kund just right exterior side of the caves. The most interesting view is that of the two persistent spirals which drop from inside the caves. The Shri Vimaleshwar Temple situated on the border of the village near the turning for the Rivona caves, is also another attraction of Rivona Caves.

Visiting information
To reach to Rivona, it is fairly easy as by road. Rivona is well connected with Quepem and Margao.