Well,our Maharashtra is hub of most popular Historical monuments include forts,temples,caves,tombs etc.
There are many small and big caves in the mountains of Maharashtra and in the vicinity of the forts,which attracts every wanderer to came to visit Maharashtra.Caves near forts in Maharashtra include Carla, Bhaje and Bedse caves near Pune. These caves are full of amazing beauty In this blogg,we are going show you about beauty of one of such cave -BHAJE CAVES.
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| Steps which take you towards bhaje caves |
The Maharashtra government has declared some of the caves as 'National Protected Monuments'. Carle, Bhaje and Bedse caves near Pune are among them. It is safe to say that it is a masterpiece of architecture. It is eye-catching to see the enchanting carvings there.
How to get there?
On the way from Mumbai to Pune, there are karla Caves on the left and Bhaje Caves on the right. Bhaje village is at a distance of 3 km across the railway station of Malavli. There is a hill in front. There are steps to go up that hill. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the caves at 250 feet from these feet. Nearby are two large forts called Lohgad and Visapur. These caves can also be reached from these forts. It has about twenty two caves.
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| Sunset at bhaje |
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| Stupa at bhaje |
As you enter, In the middle of the caves there is a chaityagriha. The remaining twenty-one viharas are spread on both sides. There are chaitya windows in this place. They are decorated with carvings. Some of these decorations have carved nets and curtains. There is an engraved carving on the altar. There are carved stones in the stone. In this place, you can see the couple carved through the window. There is an elf carved in this place and the tree in her hand is clearly visible today.
The arch is carved in stone and has a total of 172 holes. The Chaityagriha is 17.8 meters long, 8.13 meters wide and 7.37 meters high. It has twenty-seven octagonal pillars and a central stupa. This cave is smaller than Kalra. The Chaityagriha in the caves here is small. But the construction is the same. Lotus and Chakra symbols are carved on this pillar
In one place there is a peg and a garland of flowers stuck to it. The pillars behind the stupa are depicted with pictures of Buddha. Chaityagriha has a roof of wooden beams. There are Brahmi inscriptions on these beams. Vegetable caves are believed to have been carved in the 2nd century BC. The construction of the caves continued for eight hundred years, until the sixth century AD.
The first sculpture in Suryaleni shows the sun riding on a chariot of four horses. He is also survived by his wife and maid. One is holding an umbrella and the other is carrying a chamar and there are pictures of monsters being trampled under their chariots.
History:-
This buddhist shrines at bhaje are believed to date back to as far as 2nd century BC,such oldest the monument is.The Theravadim
-A conservative branch of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the nontheistic ideal of self-purification to nirvana.that phase of Buddhism was still in its early stages.
Approximately there are 22 cluster of caves,
Have been dedicated to Lord Buddha.
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| Group of stupas at bhaje |
Final thought:-
The most prominent excavation of Bhaja caves is its chaitagriha which demonstrates prototypes of wooden architecture and a vaulted horseshoe ceiling. Demonstration of wooden architecture is the notable feature of these caves. one of the carvings a woman is shown playing tabla and another woman, performing dance is wonderful.
The most impressive monument of the caves is the large shrine known as chaityagriha having an open, horseshoe-arched entrance. There is a waterfall nest to the last cave, water from which during monsoon season falls into a small pool at the bottom.Bhaja caves are a peek into the architectural expertise of Indian culture even 2200 years ago.
Students persuing education in field of History and Archaeology must visit this Ancient historical monument.
Thank you.
Timings for visit:- 9 AM to 5 PM.
-by Bharati Parab