On 2nd January 2010, my wife, Indi, my friend and I went out to Lonavala. Lonavala is an important hill station in the state of Maharashtra. It is popularly known as the jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains. Lonavala is set amongst the sylvan hills of the Western Ghats and is a popular gateway from Mumbai and Pune.Lonavala is located in the western part of the state of Maharashtra, in the western region of India. It is situated 106 km southeast of Mumbai at an altitude of 625 m above sea level. The weather in Lonavala is pleasant. Summers (April-June) are mild; while winters are cool (November-February).
So many points for tourists interested in visiting the famous, one of them is ancient Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla, which are located near this hill station. It was so excited and awesome. I was taken decision on my travel this time to explain this one of spot point.
Karla Caves is a complex of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut architecturecave shrines built over the period of 3rd to 2nd century B.C. Even though the caves were constructed over a period of time and the oldest one is believed to date back to 160 BC. Located in Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra, the caves are on an major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea 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. This complex of well-preserved, Theravada Buddhist caves is built on the difficult terrain of a rocky hillside. The complex also happens to be one of the finest examples of the ancient rock-cut caves 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 relief's dating back to the 1st century B.C. There are well carved sculptures of 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. Theravada 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.
So, if you have been planned to go to Lonavala remember;1. Don’t miss this one destination “ancient Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla”.
2. Don’t go during June and September because it experiences heavy southwestern monsoon rains between, and
3. Don’t go with your lovely baby, you will be so tire. It is because you need follow and climb step by step of stairs.
