Karla Caves

Karla Caves, an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. It is located in Karli near Lonavala, a hill station, in the western state of Maharashtra between the cities of Mumbai and Pune in India. It is on a major trade route that runs from the Arabian Sea eastward, into the Deccan. Karli's location in Maharashtra places it in a region that is the division between North India and South India.cite web
url=http://www.public.iastate.edu/~tart/arth382/lecture7.html
title=Later Andhra Period India
publisher=
accessdate=2007-01-24] Buddhism, having become identified with commerce and manufacturing through their early association with traders, tended to locate their monastic establishes in natural areas close to major trade routes so as to provide lodging houses for travelling traders.cite book
last =Keay
first =John
title =India: A History
publisher =Grove Press
date =2000
location =New York
pages = pp 123-127
id = ISBN 0802137970 ]

Caves

This complex of very well-preserved Theravada Buddhist caves, built on the difficult terrain of a rocky hillside, is one of the finest examples of the ancient rock-cut caves to be found in India. [cite web
url=http://www.indian-visit.com/monuments-of-india/karla-caves.html
title=Karla Caves
publisher=
accessdate=2006-09-16 ] The large Karla caves were excavated by hewing out the rock. Great windows light the interiors. [cite web
url=http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-architecture/ancient-architecture/cave-architecture.html
title=Cave Architecture
publisher=
accessdate=2007-02-15] The main cave has a magnificent Chaitya with huge pillars and intricately carved reliefs dating back to the 1st century B.C. [cite web
url=http://www.kamat.com/database/content/architecture/index.htm
title=5000 Years of Indian Architecture
publisher=
accessdate=2006-12-21 ] There are well carved sculptures of both males and females, as well as animals, including lions and elephants, a testimony to the skill of the artisan builders. Within the complex are a great many other magnificently carved prayer halls or chaityas as well as viharas or dwelling places for the monks. A feature of these caves is their arched entrances and vaulted interiors. Built in the time of the Theravada Buddhists, these caves do not actually show the image of Buddha. [cite web
url=http://www.travelmasti.com/domestic/maharashtra/karla.htm
title=Buddhist Karla Caves
publisher=
accessdate=2006-09-16 ] The outside facade has intricate details carved to imitate finished wood. The central motif is a large horseshoe arch. There is a lion column in front, with a closed stone facade and torana in between.

During this period it is likely that thousands of caves like Karla were excavated in the Sahyadri Hills.

ee also

* Bhaja Caves
* Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Bangalore - also a cave temple
* Varaha Cave Temple
* Badami Cave Temples
* Undavalli caves
* Indian rock-cut architecture

Notes

External links

* [http://the-visited-places.blogspot.com/2007/09/karla-caves-near-ekveera-devi-temple.html Karla Buddhist Caves at Lonavala pune]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/himanshu_sarpotdar/sets/72157600124815217 Karla Caves Photos from Himanshu Sarpotdar]
* [http://www.indian-visit.com/monuments-of-india/karla-caves.html Karla Caves]
* [http://www.travelmasti.com/domestic/maharashtra/karla.htm Buddhist Karla Caves]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lELou4aaEts Kanheri Caves Decoded]