Karla Caves or Karle

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Inside the monastery in Karla Caves.

The Karla Caves or Karle Caves are a complex of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut architecture cave shrines developed over two periods - from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, and from the 5th century AD to the 10th century AD. The oldest of the cave shrines is believed to date back to 160 BC.^[1] Located in Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra, the caves are on a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into theDeccan. Karli's location in Maharashtra places it in a region that marks the division betweenNorth India and South India.^[2] Buddhists, having become identified with commerce and manufacturing through their early association with traders, tended to locate their monastic establishments in natural areas close to major trade routes so as to provide lodging houses for travelling traders.^[3]

Contents  [hide] 1 Affiliation 2 Architecture 3 See also 4 Notes 5 External links

Affiliation

The caves were historically associated with the Mahāsāṃghika sect of Buddhism, which had great popularity in this region of India, as well as wealthy patronage.^[4][5] The caves house aBuddhist monastery dating back to the 2nd century BC. The monastery was once home to two 15-meter grand pillars. Now only one of these remains, and the remaining space is occupied by a temple dedicated to the goddess Ekaveera, who is worshipped most notably by the Koli community of Mumbai.

Architecture

This complex of well-preserved Buddhist caves is built on the difficult terrain of a rocky hillside. The complex is one of the finest examples of the ancient rock-cut caves found in India. Great windows light the interiors.^[6]

The main cave has a magnificent Chaitya with huge pillars and intricately carved reliefs dating back to the 1st century BC. There are sculptures of both males and females, as well as animals, including lions and elephants. Within the complex are a great many other magnificently carved prayer halls or chaityas as well as viharas or dwelling places for the caves' monks. A notable feature of these caves is their arched entrances and vaultedinteriors. The outside facade has intricate details carved into it in an imitation of finished wood. The central motif is a large horseshoe arch. There is a lion column at the front, with a closed stone facade andtorana in between.^[2]

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

See 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

1. ^ "Visit Karla Bhaja caves".
2. ^ ^a b "Later Andhra Period India". Retrieved 2007-01-24.
3. ^ Keay, John (2000). India: A History. New York, USA: Grove Press. pp. 123–127. ISBN 0802137970.
4. ^ Dutt, Nalinaksha. Buddhist Sects in India. 1998. p. 62
5. ^ Gadkari, Jayant. Society and Religion: From Rgveda to Puranas. 1996. p. 198
6. ^ "Cave Architecture". Retrieved 2007-02-15.