Karla Caves (Maharashtra)

There are well carved sculptures of both
males and females, as well as animals, including
lions and elephants, a testimony to the skill of
the artisan builders.

Karla Caves (Maharashtra) Hindu Temples

Karla Caves, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. It is located in Karli near Lonavala, a hill station, in the western state of Maharashtra between the cities of Mumbai and Pune in India. It is on a major trade route that runs from the Arabian Sea eastward, 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.

Caves

This complex of very well-preserved Theravada Buddhist caves, built on the difficult terrain of a rocky hillside, is one of the finest examples of the ancient rock-cut caves to be 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 reliefs dating back to the 1st century B.C.

There are well carved sculptures of both 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. Built in the time of the 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.

During this period it is likely that thousands of caves like Karla were excavated in the Sahyadri Hills.

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