Karla & Bhaja Caves is a day tour from Mumbai where we go back 2000 years to explore rock cut Buddhist caves on an ancient trade route. Whats in store are magnificent monasteries up in the hill, prayer halls, exquisite sculptures carved on rocks, residences of monks of the first century as well as shelters made for weary travelers of the ancient trade routes between the Arabian Sea and the Deccan Plateau.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Local guide
✔ Hotel & Cruise Terminal pickup and drop-off
✔ Lunch
✔ Goods and Services Tax (GST)
✖ Drinks
Pickup Locations
1. Mumbai
2. Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel & Residences
3. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
4. Jw Marriott Mumbai Juhu
5. The Oberoi Mumbai
6. ITC Grand Central, Mumbai - a Luxury Collection Hotel
Additional Info: All hotels in Mumbai
Itinerary
1
Karla Caves
730AM- Hotel pick up
945AM– We reach the base of Karla caves. There are a set of 200 steps to be climbed from the parking area.
Karla Caves wee built between the 2nd and 5th centuries under the patronage of the Kingdoms of the day. These caves were a key centre for Buddhism in Western India. There are 16 magnificent Buddhist caves with the oldest one dating back to AD 160. The first set of caves were built by Theravadas, an ancient sect of Buddhists while Mahayana group of Buddhists built the later set of caves. The sculptures in the Caves are remarkable. Horse shoe shaped windows bring in the sun light into the cave providing a refreshing environment.
The highlight of this visit will be the prayer hall in the main Cave, which is one of the largest rock cut structures in India. The object of worship is a Stupa right at the end of the prayer hall.
Cave no 12 is the other unforgettable experience. It has a very interesting characteristic. The ceiling of this Cave has wooden ribs on the ceiling. The wood has survived for 2 millenia!
Duration: 2 hours
2
Bhaja Caves
After lunch, we visit Bhaja Caves, the other important Buddhist centre in this part of the world. 200 intricately carved steps need to be surmounted before we reach this magnificent specimen of rock cut Buddhist caves. We visit a set of 22 caves located 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, dating back to 2nd century BC and built by Hinayana group of Buddhists. While 10 of these caves were Viharas or residences for the monks, the other 12 are Chaityas or prayer halls.
Cave 12 is a splendid specimen of wooden architecture and vaulted horseshoe ceiling. It also has a pillar which shows Buddha in different forms like Bodhi tree, lotus, elephant, wheel and throne. One of the carvings at Bhaja caves show a woman playing a Tabla the classical Hindustani musical instrument. This has pushed back the current understanding of origin of Tabla as an instrument in Ancient India.
730 PM- End of Karla & Bhaja Caves tour and we drop you back to hotel
Duration: 2 hours
Additional info
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• A moderate amount of walking is involved. 200 steps each in Karla and Bhaja
