The
caves are the excellent examples of Hinayana Sculpture of Satvahana period.
The caves were carved in 160 BC and are known for their Chaitya Halls (
Chapel ), some Viharas ( Dwelling Caves), intricate sculptures and pillars
with ingenious architecture. These Chaityas are perhaps the largest in the
country.
These caves are 20 km from Lonavala and 40 km from Pune and situated near
Mumbai-Pune Road. The caves exist amid a range of hills near Lonavala.
As you approach across a large courtyard, itself carved from the rock, the
enormous 14-meter-high facade of the hall towers above, topped by a horse
shoe shaped window and with three entrances below, one for the priest and
the others for devotees. A Simhastambha - a tall monolithic column capped
with four lines- stands to the left of the entrance.
These caves have been cut into solid rock and have 37 octagonal pillars of
remarkable beauty. Each column rests in a water jar. Some of these pillars
have capitals on the top. The capitals have figures of elephants kneeling on
bell shaped bases.
In the porch of the cave, dividing the three doorways, are panels of
figures in six couples, presumed to have been the wealthy patrons of the
halls. Two rows of octagonal columns with pot-shaped bases divide the
interior into three, forming a wide central aisle and on the outside, a hall
that allowed the devotees to circumambulate the monolithic Stupa at the
back. Above each pillar's fluted capital kneels a finely carved elephant
mounted by two riders, one with arms draped over the other's shoulders.
Amazingly,
perishable remnants survive from the time when the hall was in use; teak
ribs on the vaulted ceiling show that the stone was carved to resemble a
wooden structural model. Surmounting the Stupa are the remains of a carved
wooden umbrella.
The temple measures about forty meters long and fifteen meters high, it has
thirty seven pillars and a semi-circular 'sun window' that filters the light
and makes a representation of Buddha.
Karle has some of the best preserved Buddhist Chaityas and Viharas in the
entire sub-continent. The awesome Chaitya Halls make this journey worth it.
You will also not find the hordes of tourists unlike Ajanta Ellora because
this place is not on the tourist beaten track. If you want to avoid the
holidaying localites, please don't visit the caves at the weekends.
Ajanta
Caves 
Ajanta
Ellora Excursion
