Karla Caves

Maharashtra is home to many Buddhist caves that preserve hundreds of years old heritage and culture. A rocky hillside near Lonavala is home to one such set of rock-cut caves called Karla Caves. The most remarkable attraction of these caves is the Buddhist chaityagriha, acclaimed as India’s largest of its kind. With a base in the form of water jar and supported by 37 beautifully carved pillars, the shrine also boasts of elaborated figures of men, women and animals. A set of 16 excavations, these caves feature many other small chaitya grihas and viharas (dwelling places for monks). A gigantic lion pillar, which imitates the famous Ashoka Pillar, near the main chaitya griha is another spellbinding attraction. While some caves date back to the period from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD, others were carved between 5th and 10th centuries AD. Intricately designed teak wood facades and horseshoe archways are the compelling aspects of the caves that are designated as protected monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India.

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