Bhaja Buddhist Caves - Biggest Hinayana Buddhist Temple in India.

 

Bhaja Buddhist Caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in the city of Pune, Maharastra, India. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja. The Caves were developed during Satavahana's rule and are the biggest Hinayana Buddhist temple in India. Adorned with the classic Indian rock-cut architecture of the era, the architecture of these caves narrates the actual culture, tradition of India and the ancient Indian period. The topmost captivations of these caves are the Stupas, which have the caves carved profoundly outside and inside both.

 

The inscriptions and the cave temple are protected as a Monument of National Importance, by the Archaeological Survey of India per Notification No. 2407-A. The highlight of Bhaja Buddhist Caves is its large chaityagrha that is a prayer hall. It's amongst the earliest of its nature representing Indian mythology with a horseshoe-shaped entrance.  Its vihara has a pillared verandah in front and is adorned with unique reliefs. These caves are notable for their indications of the awareness of wooden architecture. The carving shows a woman playing tabla and another woman, performing dance. This carvings prove that tabla was used in India for at least 2300 years.

 

 

A notable part of the monument is a group of 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside an irregular excavation. The stupas are relics of resident monks, who died at Bhaja and display an inscription with the names of three monks, Ampinika, Dhammagiri and Sanghdina. One of the stupa shows Stavirana Bhadanta means the venerable reverend inscribed on it. The stupa particulars show the name of the monks and their respective titles. The stupas have been carved very elaborately and two of them have a relic box on their upper side. Near the last cave is a waterfall that, during the monsoon season, flows water into a small pool at the bottom.

 

The best time to visit Bhaja Buddhist Caves is from the Autumn season (October) to the Spring season (March). During Autumn, it will be a fantastic time for the tourists to visit this place as the weather will be calm and cold. Further, the spring season would lit up the caves with beautiful flowers all around and chilling breezes to feel jolly around the cave.

 

 

Take a flight for Pune and choose any of the train or road travel convenience as per your choice for reaching Bhaja Buddhist Caves. The nearest railway station from Bhaja Buddhist Caves is Malavli, which is 3 km away from caves. Bhaja Buddhist caves can be easily accessed via local buses running from Lonavala to Karla caves. Bhaja Buddhist Caves are 10 km away from the Karla caves.