Bhaje

   Bhaja Caves, near the Karla Caves, are a group of 18 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BC. located near Lonavala, a hill station, and Karli in the western state of Maharashtra between the cities of Mumbai and Pune in India. It is on a major trade route that runs from the Arabian Sea eastward, into the Deccan in a region that is the division between North India and South India

topHistory 

    The caves can be traced back up to 1st century B.C. There are two main caves. The main cave which is the Chaitya (prayer hall) has a beautiful Stupa. Both the caves have some carvings also. The caves are facing eastwards. So it is recommended to visit the caves early morning as in sunlight the beauty of carvings is enhanced.

    A very famous incident is told about the caves. Till around 1861, the carvings on the walls and the Stupas were in proper condition. A British Officer after hearing about this arranged his visit there. When the local officer came to know about this, he urgently employed labour to clean and paint the walls of the caves.

topAttractions

    The chaitrya has unique reliefs of Indian mythology. Other caves have a nave and aisle, with an apse containing a solid stupa and the aisle circling round the apse, providing the circumambulation path.

    It is a 3 km walk or ride up the hill to the 18 Bhaja Caves. Cave No 12, a chaitya similar in style to the Karla Cave, is the most important. About 50 m past this is a strange group of 14 stupas, (domed shaped pagodas) five inside and nine outside. The last cave on the south side has some fine sculptures, including the famous Dancing Couple.  

topReaching There

topTrek Routes

• From Bhaje village (Grade : Easy)  -
  
  A well defined pathway take us upto the base from where steps are built up which lead to the caves.

topBus Timings

topAccommodation

The caves are taken care of by the Archeiological Survey of India; hence not allowed to stay.