Bhaja Caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating the 2nd century B.C.E. located near Lonavala, Maharashtra. The caves are 400ft above the village, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau. The excavations here are from the Satavahana period, which makes them among the earliest rock-cut monuments in Maharashtra. Most of the 20 monasteries have a verandah and hall with small cells provided with benches. Many also have associated cisterns. Cave 12 is possibly the oldest known apsidal-ended chaitya hall, the dependence on wood being particularly noticeable throughout. Socket holes indicate a wooden façade was originally inserted into the horseshoe shaped opening over the entrance. The interior is divided into 3 aisles by octagonal columns that incline slightly inwards. The roof is fashioned as a curved vault with notches for teak beams, now lost. An undecorated hemispherical stupa stands at the end. Cave 12 is the major attraction for the visitors, many people don’t seem to venture any further. A short walk to the right takes you to a further two places that are well worth exploring. First is a group of 14 stupas, consisting of 5 inside and 9 outside an irregular excavation. The stupas are relics of resident monks who died at Bhaja, and display an inscription with the names of 3 monks, Ampinika, Dhammagiri and Sanghdina. They have been elaborately carved with two having a relic box on their upper side. Beyond these stupas is an irregularly shaped hall, approached via a columned verandah. Carvings either side of the doorway leading to the right-hand cell of the verandah are well worth a closer inspection. The left panel depicts a royal personage, possibly Surya, attended by two women driving an aerial chariot. The four horses pulling the chariot are trampling on a demon. The right panel represents a majestic figure, probably Indra, riding a mighty elephant with an attendant holding a banner and spear. Dancers, a man and a horse-headed woman appear beneath. #swiggywala #localguides @googlemaps #incredibleindia #maharashtra #maharashtra_igers #pune_ig #lonavala #bhajacaves #travelrealindia #india_undis https://www.instagram.com/p/CcP7wVKvIWY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
