Karla & Bhaja Caves

Reaching Bhaja by road requires to drive down the same route along the highway as Karla but instead of turning left you must take the road on the right and drive past Malavali station and follow a quite road a further 3km to Bhaja village, There is no bus service to Bhaja but you can take a local train to Malavali station.

From the village it is a 250 feet climb to the caves.There are 18 caves, twelth being a chaitya hall with finest carving in the cave complex. First cave appears to be the dwelling of the master architect while 10 others are viharas for priests.Remaining seven caves have inscription about donors.


Karla Cave


A steep 20-minute climb via stone steps from the car park brings you to the impressive Karla Cave, the largest Early Buddhist chaitya ( temple ) in India. Completed in 80 BC, the chaitya is around 40m long and 15m high, carved by monks and artisans from the rock in imitation of more familiar woodenarchitecture.


A semicircular ‘sun window’ filters light it towards the cave’s representation of Buddha a dagoba ( dome-shaped shrine ) protected by a carved wooden umbrella. The 37 pillars which from the aisles are each topped by kneeling elephant carrying seated figures. The cave roof is ribbed with teak beams said to be original. On the sides of the vestibule are carved elephant heads which once had ivory tuska.


A stambha ( pillar ) topped by four back-to-back lions, an image usually associated with Emperor Ashok, stands outside the cave and may be older than the cave itself. Along the small path leading around the hillside are a couple of relatively inconsequential caves, including one containing a Shiva lingam and another lined with cells used as living quarters for monks.
The cave is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Entry is as steep as the walk up to US $ 5. for foreigners; Indians pay Rs 5, there’s a Rs 25 charge for video cametas,


Bhaja Caves & Forts


It’s a 3 km ride from the main road to the Bhaja Caves ( over the new expressway ) where the setting is lusher, greener and more peaceful than at Karla. Thought to date from around 200 BC, 10 of the 18 Caves here are viharas ( monasteries ). While cave 12 is an open chaitya. Dating from earlier than the Karla caves, containing a simple dagoba but no sculpture. Beyond this is a strange huddle of 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside a caves. The last cave on the south has some fine sculptures.


In the hills above the caves are a couple of derelict but atmospheric old forts. Lohagad Fort, which was twice taken by Shivaji and Visapur Fort.


Admission on the Bhaja Caves is another US $ 5 for foreigners and Rs 5 for Indians. Bedsa Caves


About 15 km past the KARLA and Bhaja turnoffs and 6km south – east of Kamshet station are the Bedsa Caves. These caves see very few visitors, partly because of the 3 km walk from Bedsa village to reach them and partly because the main cave a chaitya thought to date from

later than the one at Karla is much poorer in design and execution. Entry here is free.