Karla Caves - Among the Theravada Budhists

Karla caves are one of the best example of rock cut caves in India.Build during the 2nd century B.C, the caves are a sight to behold with it's intricate craftsmanship and Buddhist style grandeur.Located at Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra(11 Km's from Lonavla off the NH4 highway), the caves were in terms of ancient relevance on a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan.

(Karla caves is set atop this mountain) 

Karla caves lie on top of a hill and in case you are there during the monsoons, the scenic beauty is wonderful.

(Tranquility Cant get better than this!) 

Greenery all around, small houses with hills at the back and a flowing waterfall in sight...one has to first drive up the steep road leading to the base from where the climb begins.Its again a fairly easy 1/2 km trek up the rugged stairs which lands you in front of the caves.

(Mild Trek To The caves) 

The caves really blow you away as it must have been some work to cut out designer balconies from a giant hill. Built in the time of the Theravada Buddhists(The oldest surviving Indian Buddhist schools), these caves do not actually show the image of Buddha but instead intricate carved drawing of humans and animals.

(At Karla caves Finally) 

Some tremendous craftsmanship that has lasted many thousand years. Our current day real estate buggers need to learn something from them.

(Intricate Stone Carvings Inside The Cave)

The main cave has a magnificent Chaitya(Buddhist Shrine) with huge pillars and intricately carved relief's dating back to the 1st century B.C.

By common belief people try to throw a coin accurately inside the elevated funnel structure(see above photo) in one try(That's my friend trying his luck!)

Outside the Karla caves also coexists the Ekaveera Temple(A temple devoted to Goddess Kali). This temple is revered by the Koli tribes of Lonavla and other nearby regions.The tribal Goddess Aai Ekvira(another avataar of Kali Goddess) is the main deity here. The Koli tribes throng to this temple during special occasions like navarathri and chaitra(major hindu festivals).Koli tribes offer animal sacrifices in this temple and they offer the sacrifice of goat or chickens and they believe that the tribal Goddess has majestic powers. This ritual still goes on today and even a normal person can ask for the sacrifice a Goat/Chicken and once the Bali(sacrifice) is done, the meat is cooked and given to the devotee who ordered the sacrifice!