Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Karla & Bhaja Caves
While they pale in comparison to Ajanta or Ellora, these rock-cut caves (dating from
around the 2nd century BC) are among the better examples of Buddhist cave architecture
in India. They are also low on commercial tourism, which make them ideal places for a
quiet excursion. Karla has the most impressive single cave, but Bhaja is a quieter site to
explore.
Sights
Karla Cave
(Indian/foreigner ?5/100; 9am-5pm)
Karla Cave, the largest early Buddhist
chaitya
in India, is
reached by a 20-minute climb from a mini-bazaar at the base of a hill. Completed in 80
BC, the
chaitya
is around 40m long and 15m high, and sports similar architectural motifs
as
chaityas
in Ajanta and Ellora. Excluding Ellora's Kailasa Temple, this is probably the
most impressive cave temple in the state.
A semicircular 'sun window' filters light in towards a dagoba or stupa (the cave's rep-
resentation of the Buddha), protected by a carved wooden umbrella, the only remaining
example of its kind. The cave's roof also retains ancient teak buttresses. The 37 pillars
forming the aisles are topped by kneeling elephants. The carved elephant heads on the
sides of the vestibule once had ivory tusks.
There's a
Hindu temple
in front of the cave, thronged by pilgrims whose presence adds
colour to the scene.
CAVE
Bhaja Caves
(Indian/foreigner ?5/100; 8am-6pm)
Across the expressway, it's a 3km jaunt from the main
road to the Bhaja Caves, where the setting is lusher, greener and quieter than at Karla
Cave. Thought to date from around 200 BC, 10 of the 18 caves here are
viharas,
while
Cave 12 is an open
chaitya,
earlier than that at Karla, containing a simple dagoba. Beyond
this is a strange huddle of 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside a smaller cave.
CAVE
Sleeping & Eating
MTDC Karla Resort
HOTEL
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