Situated near Lonavala in Maharashtra, the Karla and Bhaja caves have escaped the mad rush of tourism and thus provide a much needed respite to those who desire quite and peace while exploring ancient Indian art.Dating back to the 2nd century B.C the Karla and Bhaja caves are amongst the most ancient caves in India. Belonging to Hinayana phase of Buddhism these caves are 15 meters wide and 16 meters wide and comprise of Viharas and Chaityas.
History of Karla & Bhaja Caves
One such cave built during the rule of Satavahana is the Karla and Bhaja cave. They are considered to be the oldest and the largest Hinayana Buddhist Chaitya (temple) in India. Their history is reflected in the largely wood based architectural design which was prevalent during that period.
It is also interesting to note that Buddha is represented in these caves as symbols such as the lotus or the elephant which signify his birth and the Bodhi tree which signifies the place where he attained spiritual enlightenment. This stems from the desire expressed by Buddha at the time of his death that he does not choose to be deified and told his disciples that “neither the gods nor men shall see him “.Tourism in Karla & Bhaja Caves
Karla caves are the best of its kind rock cut architecture carved out of living rock. This kind of construction of architecture can be traced to Egypt, Assyria, Iran, Greece and Palestine. Remarkable aspect of the cave is the arched roof supported by wooden beams and standing the test of time for 2000 years.
Recently a temple has also been built with pillars from the Buddhist era. A Buddhist sculpture seated on the lion throne with magnificent carvings of three elephants is the main attraction of the place. The temple of the main cave has the sculpture of Goddess Ekvira which draws huge number of devotees from Mumbai coastal region during a fair in April and during the festival of Navratri.
₹705.00 (as of Sep 3, 2024 19:18 GMT +09:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
₹269.00 (as of Sep 3, 2024 19:18 GMT +09:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
₹199.00 (as of Sep 3, 2024 19:18 GMT +09:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
(as of Sep 3, 2024 19:19 GMT +09:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
₹493.00 (as of Sep 3, 2024 19:18 GMT +09:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
₹199.00 (as of Sep 3, 2024 19:18 GMT +09:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Are you looking for a unique and off-the-beaten-path destination for your next adventure? Look no…
When visitors come to Agra, they often have one iconic monument on their minds -…
Summer is the perfect time to explore the diverse and beautiful landscapes of India. From…
Cyclone Remal is expected to develop over the east-central Bay of Bengal during the early…
Introducing theRealme GT 6T: The Ultimate Flagship Killer In the competitive world of smartphones, Realme…
June is the perfect time to travel and explore the beauty of India. With the…