Bhaja Caves

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Bhaja Caves, near the Karla Caves, are a group of 18 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BC. located near Lonavala, a hill station, and Karli 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 in a region that is the division between North India and South India..[1] Viharas make up ten caves, and one is a chaitya, stylistically similar to the Karla Caves. There is also group of 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside the caves. One of the caves has some fine sculptures. Near the last cave is a waterfall which, during the monsoon season, has water that falls into a small pool at the bottom.[2]

The chaitrya has unique reliefs of Indian mythology. Other caves have a nave and aisle, with an apse containing a solid stupa and the aisle circling round the apse, providing the circumambulation path.[3]

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[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Later Andhra Period India. Retrieved on January 24, 2007.
  2. ^ Karka and Bhaja Caves. Retrieved on March 14, 2007.
  3. ^ 5000 Years of Indian Architecture. Retrieved on March 14, 2007.

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