Karla Caves – Lonavla
 Photo by : hiran_s in Flickr More Images... |
|
Karla Caves are situated in the state of Maharashtra, near the Pune-Mumbai Road. They lie at a distance of approximately 20 km from Lonavla and 40 km from Pune. The caves of Karla date back to the 2nd century BC and are known for their Chaitya Hall, intricate sculptures and pillars with ingenious architecture. Chaitya hall boasts of its amazing structural design. The rooftop is built of teakwood and even the pillars have been beautifully carved.
One of the pillars of Karla Caves, with four lions at the top, now forms the national emblem of India. A number of sculptures cut out of rock, based on numerous animals as well as different forms of human life, adorn the caves of Karla. The other attractions include a stone stupa and 37 pillars, chiseled with the figures of prosperous men and women on elephants, prostrating before Lord Buddha. The bouncing sunshine falling inside the shrine further lends it a mystic as well as a tranquil aura.
The Buddhist caves at Karla or Karle ar about 12 km from Lonavla on the Bombay-Poona road. Lonavla is 128 km by road from Bombay. The Karla caves are at a height of 150 metres and are reached by confortable steps made by ancient Buddhists.
The arched chaitya-hall is the most magnificent cave at Karla. It belongs to the first century B.C. and is the largest rock-cut temple in India. It measures 525 sq. metres or 37.8 metresx13.9 metres in area. It is 14 metres high and has two rows of 15 monolith pillars, the capitals of each are surmounted by well-sculptured man-and woman-riders, seated on kneeling elephants, with therir arma circling each other. At the further end of the temple is a huge dome-shaped Stupa. Its timber arch, which decorates the roof, is the finest example of wood work of the early period. One of its own inscription tells us that the Karala Chaitya was excaved insctription tells us that the Karla chaitya was excavated by one Bhutapala, a merchant of Vejayanti (in Maharashtra) and was regarded as the most excellent rock mansion in Jambudvipa (Indra).
The Mahayana Buddhists, who later occupied this Chaitya, added in the verandah a few images of the Buddha, attended by Padmapani and Manjusri and other imageru in AD. 5th 6th centuries.
Originally on each side of the façade, a little ahead of the entrance were two pillars about 15 metres in height. The pillar on the left stands on a wide cylindrical base, surmounted by a bell shaped capital on which were four lions supporting a wheel (now damaged). The pillar on the right was destroyed due to land slide. The temple of Ekavira now occupies the place where this pillar stood. The temple of Hindu Goddess Exavira is said to have been built in 1866.
There are 22 caves above the village of Bhaja, just opposite to the Karla caves, about a mile from the Malavli railway station. These caves date back from second century B.C. and are one of the earliest in India. The use of timber in the rock-cut architectire is a special feature of these caves. The Chaitya-hall, which is 18 metres in length with 27 plain pillars is a fine example of early Hinayana temple.
Nearest CitiesLonavala - Approximately 20 km
Pune - Approximately 40 km
One of the pillars of Karla Caves, with four lions at the top, now forms the national emblem of India. A number of sculptures cut out of rock, based on numerous animals as well as different forms of human life, adorn the caves of Karla. The other attractions include a stone stupa and 37 pillars, chiseled with the figures of prosperous men and women on elephants, prostrating before Lord Buddha. The bouncing sunshine falling inside the shrine further lends it a mystic as well as a tranquil aura.
The Buddhist caves at Karla or Karle ar about 12 km from Lonavla on the Bombay-Poona road. Lonavla is 128 km by road from Bombay. The Karla caves are at a height of 150 metres and are reached by confortable steps made by ancient Buddhists.
The arched chaitya-hall is the most magnificent cave at Karla. It belongs to the first century B.C. and is the largest rock-cut temple in India. It measures 525 sq. metres or 37.8 metresx13.9 metres in area. It is 14 metres high and has two rows of 15 monolith pillars, the capitals of each are surmounted by well-sculptured man-and woman-riders, seated on kneeling elephants, with therir arma circling each other. At the further end of the temple is a huge dome-shaped Stupa. Its timber arch, which decorates the roof, is the finest example of wood work of the early period. One of its own inscription tells us that the Karala Chaitya was excaved insctription tells us that the Karla chaitya was excavated by one Bhutapala, a merchant of Vejayanti (in Maharashtra) and was regarded as the most excellent rock mansion in Jambudvipa (Indra).
The Mahayana Buddhists, who later occupied this Chaitya, added in the verandah a few images of the Buddha, attended by Padmapani and Manjusri and other imageru in AD. 5th 6th centuries.
Originally on each side of the façade, a little ahead of the entrance were two pillars about 15 metres in height. The pillar on the left stands on a wide cylindrical base, surmounted by a bell shaped capital on which were four lions supporting a wheel (now damaged). The pillar on the right was destroyed due to land slide. The temple of Ekavira now occupies the place where this pillar stood. The temple of Hindu Goddess Exavira is said to have been built in 1866.
There are 22 caves above the village of Bhaja, just opposite to the Karla caves, about a mile from the Malavli railway station. These caves date back from second century B.C. and are one of the earliest in India. The use of timber in the rock-cut architectire is a special feature of these caves. The Chaitya-hall, which is 18 metres in length with 27 plain pillars is a fine example of early Hinayana temple.
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport is that of Pune airport, situated at a distance of 55 km from Karla.By Rail
The local railway station of Malavil is only 5 km away. Apart from that, there is the Pune railway station, well connected with all the major cities of India.By Road
Buses plying between Pune and Mumbai go via Karla only. One can also hire private vehicles for the purpose.Nearest Cities
| Caves Name | Karla Caves |
| Location | Karla, approximately 20 km from Lonavla |
| Founded In | 2nd Century BC |
| Significance | Chaitya Hall, intricate sculptures and pillars |
| Co-ordinates | 18.7466, 73.4019 |
 Photo by : Himanshu Sarpotdar in Flickr |
 Photo by : atanu.maity in Flickr |
|
|
|
 Photo by : Himanshu Sarpotdar in Flickr |
 Photo by : hiran_s in Flickr |
|
|
|