Karla and Bhaja Caves in Lonavala are the best places to visit for history lovers. These Buddhist rock-cut caves date back to the second century BC and are around 8 km from each other. Karla Caves have the most impressive single cave and the largest and earliest chaitya (a shrine/prayer hall) in India, which includes a stupa at one end. Karla Caves are the largest Hinayana Buddhist chaitya (temple) in India built during Satvahana’s rule. Some of its 2,000-year-old wooden beams are still intact. It takes nearly 20 minutes to climb up the steep way to the Karla Caves. There is a sculpture of a preaching Buddha seated on a lion-supported throne with grand carvings of three elephants. Perched at a height of 400 ft above Bhaja village, the Bhaja Caves are an architectural marvel of 22 rock-cut caves. These caves are unique as they have more than one stupa. The design is almost similar to Karla’s chaitya griha, which has a horseshoe-shaped gateway and images and sculptures of Lord Buddha. A wall carving of a woman playing the tabla reveals the use of the instrument in India even 2,000 years ago. The Buddhists built these rock-cut caves with viharas, stupas and chaityas as a shelter for travellers.
