The Karla and Bhaja caves are rock-cut Buddhist
caves located near Pune in Maharashtra, India. These caves were constructed
around 200 BC on the major trade route from the Arabian Sea towards Deccan.
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| The Chaityagriha at Bhaja caves |
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| The stupas at Bhaja caves |
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| A shiv linga at Bhaja - a later addition |
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| Rooms for the monks at Bhaja |
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| The Bhaja caves |
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| The Karla chaityagriha |
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| Inside the Karla chaitya griha |
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| The huge lion pillar at the entrance at Karla |
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| The Karla caves. The orange roof is the temple |
Traders travelling on this route visited this monastery and
provided patronage. Each location has a beautiful Chaitya griha. Amazingly, the ceiling of the chaitya is decorated with neatly cut horse shoe shaped wooden panels which remain intact till date. At Karla, two huge lion pillars once guarded the entrance of this cave. Only one remains now. A temple has come up in place of the other pillar.
The Bhaja caves are at a height and you have to
climb quite a few stairs. Besides the chaitya, there are several stupas built
close to the caves. These contain relics of the monks who lived there.
The caves certainly provided the atmosphere of study and prayers for the monks with the peace and pristine beauty surrounding them.Waterfalls around the caves look beautiful but they are also eroding these heritage sites. Wish more was being done towards taking care of the area.
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