2. LOCATION
COORDINATES : 18.78N 73.47E
LOCATION : THE KARLE CAVES OR KARLA CAVES IS
LOCATED IN KARLI NEAR LONAVALA, MAHARASHTRA. THE
KARLI MARKS THE DIVISION BETWEEN NORTH INDIA AND
SOUTH INDIA
BUILT IN : THE SHRINES WERE DEVELOPED OVER TWO
PERIODS- FROM THE 2 ND CENTURY BC TO THE 2 ND
CENTURY AD AND FROM 5 TH CENTURY AD TO THE 10 TH
CENTURY
BUILT BY : THE BUDDHIST MONKS
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCATION : THE LOCATION IS
ALSO IMPORTANT FOR ITS ECONOMY,IT IS ON THE
ANCIENT HIGHWAY CONNECTING SEAP ORTS OF KALYAN
AND SOPARA TO THE CITIES LOCATED INLAND
3.
4. SPECIALITY OF THE CAVE ::
The notable feature of these caves is their arched
entrances and vaulted interiors. The outside façade has
intricate details carved into it in an imitation of finished
wood.
The central motif is a large horseshoe arch. There is an
ashokan pillar at the front , with a closed stone façade
and torana in between. There were inscription on the
pillars. There is absolutely no sign of any corrosion.
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.
6. ARCHITECTURE OF THE CAVE
THE KARLA, ANCIENT NAME AS “VALURAKA” , IS
ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS CENTERS OF
EARLY ROCK- CUT ARCHITECTURE EXCAVATED
ABOUT 100 MTRS.
ON A HIGH SPUR OF THE CHAIN OF HILLS ON
NORTH FLANK OF INDRAYANI VALLEY AND IS
JUST 8KM AWAY FROM ANOTHER BUDDHIST
ROCK CUT CAVES OF BHAJA TOWARDS SOUTH.
THE GROUP OF KARLA INCLUDES TOTAL 1
EXCAVATIONS DEPICTING ARTISTIC
EMBELLISHMENT OF HINAYANA(THERAVADA)
AND MAHAYANA SECTS OF BUDDHISM. OF THEM
ONLY ONE IS CHAITYAGRIHA AND REST 15 ARE
VIHARAS.
8. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE ::
o THE KARLA CAVES HAVE LARGE WINDOWS CUT
INTO THE ROCKS TO LIGHT THE CAVE
INTERIORS.
o THE CAVES ARE BELIEVED TO BE SOME
OF THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR CAVES
EXCAVATED IN THE SAHYADRI HILLS IN THE
EARLY 1 ST MILLENNIUM AD THE MAIN
CAVE FEATURES A LARGE, INTRICATELY
CARVED CHAITYA, OR PRAYER HALL.
o THIS IS AMONG THE LARGEST ROCK CUT
CHAITYAS IN INDIA, MEASURING 45 METRES
(148FT) LONG AND UPTO 14 METRES (46FT)
HIGH.
10. . There are 37 columns in all of which 30 have interesting capitals
showing prosperous men and women riding elelphants and horses
yet bowing in humility to the great buddha.
The hall features scupltures of both males and females , as well as
animals such as lions and elephants. Within the complex are a great
many other carved chaityas, as well as viharas, or dwelling palces for
the caves monks
11. Hall of the Great Chaitya
Left row of columns
Right row of columns
