Ancient Karla and Bhaja Buddhist Caves of India

The Karla and Bhaja Cave complex, near Lonavala on Mumbai-Pune expressway are one of the finest examples of the ancient rock-cut caves found in India and predate the World famous Ajanta and Ellora caves.

These caves have been built, rather excavated, by hewing out the rocks from the difficult terrain of a rocky hillside. During this period it is likely that thousands of caves like Karla were excavated in surrounding Sahyadri Hills. These caves are on an major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. As per historians Buddhism, having become identified with commerce and manufacturing through their early association with traders, tended to locate their monastic establishments in natural areas close to major trade routes so as to provide lodging houses for travelling traders.

Karla Caves complex was built over the period of 3rd to 2nd century B.C. and the oldest one is believed to date back to 160 BC. The complex is believed to be the oldest surviving Buddhist school (Theravada - Meaning "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching").

The main cave has a magnificent carved prayer hall with huge pillars and intricately carved relief's and that houses a stupa. On ef the strange feature is that these caves do not actually show the image of Buddha. The outside facade has intricate details carved to imitate finished wood.

Image from Flickr is by Himanshu Sarpotdar

Image from Flickr is by Himanshu Sarpotdar

Image from Picasaweb is by viewfromthesaddle...

Image from Flickr is by soham_pablo

View location of Karla Caves in Google Earth  Google Maps

Source of info and more info: Wikipedia

Bhaja Caves complex is a group of 18 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BC and is about 6 km south of Karla Caves. These caves share the same set of architectural designs and style as the Karla Caves.

Image from Panoramio is by odospamkill

Image from Flickr is by dinesh_valke

Image from Flickr is by soham_pablo

Image from Flickr is by soham_pablo

View location of Bhaja Caves in Google Earth  Google Maps

Source of info and more info: Wikipedia