Bhaja Caves, Buddhist caves in Pune district, India.
Bhaja Caves is a Buddhist rock-cut complex containing 22 chambers positioned 400 feet (120 m) above Bhaja village along an ancient trade route. The site features multiple stupas, a main prayer hall, and various residential spaces all carved directly from the rock.
These caves were created in the 2nd century BCE during a flourishing period of Buddhism in the region. They represent an early phase of Buddhist architecture and served as dwellings and prayer spaces for monks.
The caves display inscriptions recording monks' names and offerings to the monastery, along with relief carvings showing musicians with instruments. These details reveal how residents lived here and the artistic traditions they maintained.
The site is accessible via a short walking path from Bhaja village and lies on a popular trekking route. The best time to visit is from October through February, when weather is cool and dry.
The twelfth cave features a vaulted ceiling shaped like a horseshoe with fine relief carvings and is the oldest surviving prayer hall of its kind. It displays impressive stone-carving techniques used during its creation from solid rock.
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