Karla

   Karla Caves, an example of Indian rock cut architecture, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. It is located in Karli near Lonavala, a hill station, 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. Karli's location in Maharashtra places it in a region that is the division between North India and South India. Buddhism, having become identified with commerce and manufacturing through their early association with traders, tended to locate their monastic establishes in natural areas close to major trade routes so as to provide lodging houses for travelling traders.

topHistory 

    The caves can be traced back up to 1st century B.C. The main cave which is the Chaitya (prayer hall) has a beautiful Stupa. Two the caves have some carvings also.    

topAttractions

    The Chaitya near devi Ekvira temple is the largest (124' deep in rock, 46' high, 48' wide), finest & well preserved in this region. Stupa still preserves wooden chhatra or umbrella. Two rows of 15 octagonal pillars and each crowned by Mithun couples riding an elephant, further resting on inverted pyramids. At entrance two lion columns i.e. Simhastambha. Horse-shoe shaped Chaitya window. Imposing Yaksha sculptures.

    This complex of very well-preserved Hinayana Buddhist caves, built on the difficult terrain of a rocky hillside, is one of the finest examples of the ancient rock-cut caves to be found in India. The large Karla caves were excavated by hewing out the rock. Great windows light the interiors. The main cave has a magnificent Chaitya with huge pillars and intricately carved reliefs dating back to the 1st century B.C. There are well carved sculptures of both males and females, as well as animals, including lions and elephants, a testimony to the skill of the artisan builders. Within the complex are a great many other magnificently carved prayer halls or chaityas as well as viharas or dwelling places for the monks. A feature of these caves is their arched entrances and vaulted interiors. Built in the time of the Hinayana Buddhists, these caves do not actually show the image of Buddha. The outside facade has intricate details carved to imitate finished wood. The central motif is a large horseshoe arch. There is a lion column in front, with a closed stone facade and torana in between.

    During this period it is likely that thousands of caves like Karla were excavated in the Sahyadri Hills.

topReaching There

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