Inside the rocky wonders
The architecture of Bhaja Caves is a testament to the grandeur of the Mauryan period in North India.
Within the Bhaja Caves lies a treasure trove of fourteen stupas, each bearing witness to a profound legacy. Five of these stupas reside within the heart of the caves, while nine stand sentinel outside, echoing tales of monks who found solace within these ancient walls. Inscribed upon them are the names of three revered monks: Sanghadina, Ampinika, and Dhammagiri, their presence immortalised in stone.
Like the Karla Caves, the Bhaja Caves boast a similar architectural style and design. Among these caves, the most striking is the chaityagriha (Cave 12), revered as one of the earliest of its kind. This cave comprises a vast apsidal hall, divided into a central nave and side aisles by 27 pillars. The nave's vaulted ceiling still showcases its original wooden beams, while at its far end, the chaitya houses a stupa, topped with a hole for a wooden umbrella.
Cave 18, on the other hand, serves as a monastery, featuring a rectangular hall with a front pillared verandah. Inside, you can marvel at depictions of the Sun God Surya and Lord Indra alongside two intricately adorned doorways. Adjacent to this cave lies a seasonal waterfall cascading into a small pool below. Notably, carvings dating back to the 2nd century BC within this cave offer significant insights into the history of the Tabla, an Indian percussion instrument, portraying a woman playing the Tabla and another engaging in dance.
Beyond Cave 18, the Bhaja Caves group comprises other monasteries of simpler designs and halls with verandahs.
A rich history
The Bhaja Caves once served as an important trade route connecting the Arabian Sea with the Deccan Plateau via the Bhor Ghat route and onto bustling Konkan coast ports, with each destination revealing fascinating tales from its past.
These remarkable Buddhist rock-cut monuments may have emerged during the Satavahana period; their distinct beauty can be attributed to their founding as forest monasteries that provided shelter.
