| Weekend Getaways | Services |
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| Karla Caves |  |
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Distance from Lonavla
Station: 12km. Built In: 160 B.C. Transportation mode: S.T. Bus, or One can hire bicycle or private taxi up to the Karla caves. These are among the oldest caves in India and date back all the way to 160 B.C To get to Karla you have to take a 12km drive along the highway towards Pune and turn left a little after passing MTDC's Holiday home and then drive further 3km down a narrow road. Regular S.T bus services are available. From the base it is a stiff 600 feet climb to the top and it is recommended that adequate water is carried along by you. The principal cave is the largest Chaitya among Buddhist cave in the country, Being 15meters wide and 16 meters high. The most remarkable feature of the cave is its arched roof supported by wooden beams which have astonishingly survived the onslaught of elements for more than 2,000 years. The Wooden Umbrella above the Chaitya is unique in the Buddhist caves around the world. There is absolutely no sign of any corrosion. It is the finest example of the kind perhaps in the world. The principal cave is the largest Chaitya among Buddhist cave in the country, Being 15meters wide and 16 meters high. The most remarkable feature of the cave is its arched roof supported by wooden beams which have astonishingly survived the onslaught of elements for more than 2,000 years. The Wooden Umbrella above the Chaitya is unique in the Buddhist caves around the world. There is absolutely no sign of any corrosion. It is the finest example of the kind perhaps in the world. Dating back to the 02nd century B.C., the monuments at Karla are at a distance of 11 km. From Lonavla and just a little off the Bombay- Pune road . There is one large Chaitya or prayer hall and several niharas or monasteries of this group on a hill 150 metres high. The steps of the hill were built in the same period. Off all the cave temples of India, the Great Chaitya at Karla is considered one of the greatest monuments in the world of art. One of the inspirations inside the cave describe it as the most outstanding rock- cut hall in Jambudvipa (the ancient name for India). The Karla Chaitya is one of those rare instances of magnificent pillars framing the entrances to a cave. At the entrance stands a huge pillar over 15 metres high, with lion capitals as in the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath. However, the matching pillar has broken down and in its place is a temple to Goddess Ekveera , which is a place of local pilgrims even today. In the outer porch is a vestibule outlined by walls with carvings of couples and elephants. This area once sported a balcony. The main hall, called the Great Chaitya or the great cathedral, is majestic in size and the largest of its kind. It is 124 ft . by 461/2 ft. And is 45 ft. High (38 metres by 14 metres by 13.8 metres). Inside are these important features, the columns or pillars, the roof vault and the great sun window. There are 37 columns in all of which 30 have interesting capitals showing prosperous men and women riding elephants and horses yet bowing in humility to the Great Buddha. The
valued roof has wooden supports giving an idea of what wood built architecture
used to be like 2000 years ago, the only place in India where 2000 year old
woodwork can be seen. The roof at the carved end resembles a Gothic
vault. At the far end of the hall stands a stupa , literally meaning funeral
mound, above which is held an umbrella , a symbol of royalty. The
whole system of lighting depends on the great Chaitya window through which
cleverly diffused light with its lights and shadows gives a great sense of
solemnity to the scene. Few cave temples can match that at Karla for
its light and shade effects. Belonging
to a great period of Indian history, it is natural that Karla had great impact
on Buddhist art the world over. This
Great Chaitya of Karla was once a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all
over the world, so that, even today , as one walks in, one feels the vibrations
of prayers of 2000 years, of hushed whispers of pilgrims , of the chanting
of yellow- clad monks.
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