Karla Caves, Caves of Karla, Karla Caves in India,Karla Caves Maharashtra, Buddhism Caves in Karla,Karla Caves in Maharashtra,Tourism in Karla Caves, Karla Caves Tourism India

roceeding along NH-17 towards Pune from Lonavala if you cover 9 km & then turn left & go 2 km further, you will reach Karla Cave. Cave-entrance is atop 365 steps. At an altitude of 650 m Karla is renowned for the Buddhist temple-cave designed by merchant Bhutpal of Vaijayanti in 160 BC. It belongs to Hinayana sect 16 m high & measuring 45x15 m temple-hall is beautifully sculptured and decorated. Carvings also are lovely. This is largest of Buddhist Chaityas (Buddhist monastery). At the entrance 3 lion-figures are carved on 1 pillar There are 37 decorated pillars inside. The joist is made of teak-wood. Arrangement for getting sunlight deflected through huge semicircular window is simply unique. Gigantic figures of elephants, male & female dancers, 6 men & women are carved on the wall. There is an image of Hindu goddess Ekbira in a newly built temple near the entrance arch ill-matched with the surrounding. There are 10 more monastery-type caves at Karla, not very popular with tourists. 2 of these are 3-storeyed, 1 2-storeyed. Though tourists' attendance is poor, picnicker from Bombay crowd here on holidays. It would .be wise to come here from Lonavala by auto/ taxi because of lack of transport from nearest Rly stn, 4 km distant Malavali. Buses also ply every 1 hour from Lonavala rly stn to Karla. The Karla, Karla Caves and Bhedsa cave temples are perfect examples of the early phase of Buddhist architecture known as the Hinayana phase wherein the Buddha was represented symbolically. The excavations took the shape of (1) the chaitya or prayer hall and (2) the Viharas or monastery. This phase stands out as the artisans imitated in rock the structural forms as practiced in the earlier used less permanent materials like wood with which they were familiar. The characteristic features of these early temples were two establishments, each self-contained and consisting of a prayer hall (chaitya) and a monastery (Viharas) which contained accommodation for the monks. The square central hall was approached through a verandah or portico, and doorways led into cells for members of the brotherhood.