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| Door archway, Bhaja Caves, Lonavala, Pune MH commons.wikimedia.org |
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| Bhaja caves, Maharastra mysteryofindia.com |
Dating back to the 2nd century BC this group of 22 rock-cut Bhaja caves located in Pune, near Lonavala, Maharashtra are found in steep basaltic cliff face 120 m above the surrounding plain, all facing the west.; very much similar to those at Ajantha and Karla.
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| Bhaja Caves,, near Pune, MH upload.wikimedia.org |
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Ribber Design Rafters, Bhaja Caves, commons.wikimedia.org
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| Chaitja Halll, Bhaja Caves, Lonavala, commons.wikimedia.org |
The largest shrine is Chaityagriha, a large prayer hall with a horseshoe-shaped entrance, mythological features and a stupa at one end. The chaitya at Bhaja Caves is believed to be the earliest surviving chaitya hall, developed in the second century BCE. The apsidal hall with stupa has columns sloping inwards in the imitation of wooden columns. Structurally it was important necessary to keep the roof up.
The group in the complex includes 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside and they represent relics of resident monks who died there. a number of viharas that were used as residence by Buddhist monks who were also teachers of Buddhism. A branch of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the nontheistic ideal of self-purification to nirvana was quite prevalent and was in its earliest phase when Mauryans were ruling part of north India. Dedicated to Lord Buddha throughout the caves, there are many nicely carved images of the Lord Buddha. The various artistic works on the cave walls symbolize the life of Buddha - carvings of lotus or elephant symbolic of his birth, mound, symbolic of his birth as a prince and death, bodhi tree - under which Lord Buddha got the ultimate ''enlightenment.'' The stupas in Bhaja caves are relics of resident monks with their names inscribed in them. They were teachers of Buddhism and died there.
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| Location of Lonavala, MH. blog.savaari.com |
The interiors of rock cut caves are well planned as to allow the beam of light of the setting sun to light up the interior. Characteristic of elaborate sculptures with headdress, garlands, and jewelry, the carvings are not deep, almost similar to molded terracotta features.; the theme includes mythological tales. deities, etc. A fascinating feature is the display of tabla - playing woman sculpture, a famous Indian percussion instrument (dating back to 200 BCE). A wooden beam has two more inscriptions datable to the 2nd century B.C., and it indicates caves have been there for at least 2200 year.
Bhaja caves form a small cluster of Buddhist caves built by Hinayana sect of Buddhism. The Hindu dynasties helped them build the caves showing the religious harmony prevailing in the society.
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simple Vihara Bhaja Caves, Lonavala,Pune, MH commons.wikimedia.org
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| Vihara Bhaja Caves, Lonavala, commons.wikimedia.org |
Above images: "Vihara'', Bhaja caves- Vihāra commonly refers living quarters for monks with an open shared space or courtyard, particularly in Buddhism. It is Buddhist monastery and the Sanskrit word as in Pali texts, is meant any space or facilities for dwellings. In ancient rock-cut architecture of India, it means a central common hall, with small cells connected to it sometimes with carved stone beds. Some have a shrine cell set back at the centre of the back wall, containing a stupa in early examples, or a Buddha statue later. Rock-cut caves such as those in Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad Caves, Karli Caves, Bhaja caves near pune and Kanheri Caves contain several viharas. Some included a worship hall called chaitya The vihara provided a comfortable shelter for the wandering monks in ancient India during the monsoon rainy seasons.
