Karla Caves or the Karle caves are one of the famous tourist destinations of Khandala, situated in between Mumbai and Pune at a distance of 16 kilometers from the Karla Village. This vast ancient beauty is built in the second century BC. Karla caves are among the oldest Buddhist shrine in the country. They are carved on the rocky hillside.
The Karla caves belong to the Hinayana tradition of Buddhism and the rock-cut Buddhist temple in India is the earliest and finest example of art.
The Karla caves at about 38.25 meters in length, the width is 15.10 meter and height is 14.50 meters. This is the front part is two-storied, and there are three doors in the bottom part. Above all, there is a verandah with a large chaitya. There are many inscriptions within the house and outside of the Karle Caves. It was on this basis that the time for its construction was the initial period of the first century AD. The Karla Cave consists of a total of 16 rock-cut excavations out of which 8 are Chaityagrihas. These magnificent caves bearing one of the grandest and largest Chaityagrihas of all such monuments in India.
The walls of the large prayer hall are adorned with sculptures of elephants and couples. At the entrance, there is a lion pillar. The Karla Buddha caves also consist of the vaulted interiors and arched entrance. Inside the caves is a Buddhist monastery constructed along with the main complex. The Karle caves have a humongous 15-meter pillar, which was called as Veluraka. The pillar is a dedication to Goddess Ekveera. Due to the vast history associated with the Karle Caves, it is protected by the Archeological Survey of India.
Karla Caves Timings: 5:00 A.M to 7:00 P.M (All days)
Karla Caves Entry Fees: INR 20 per person for Indian nationals and INR 200 for foreign nationals. For Children, entry is free.
