Bhaja and Karla Caves
Karla is a town located between Mumbai and Pune. It is located on an ancient major trade route that ran from the Arabian Sea eastward, into the Deccan. It is the location of the famous Karle Caves and Bhaja Caves.
Karla or Karle Caves are located near Lonavala in Maharashtra. The shrines were developed over two periods – from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, and from the 5th century AD to the 10th century.
Akin to Kanheri, the Karle caves were also located near a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. These caves provide lodging houses for travelling traders and thus ensured continued patronage.
It is thought that the Karle Caves were associated with the Mahāsāṃghika sect of Buddhism. The main cave features a large, intricately carved chaitya, dating back to the 1st or 2nd century BC. This is among the largest rock-cut chaityas in India, measuring 45 metres (148 ft) long and up to 14 metres (46 ft) high. The hall features Mithuna sculptures as well as animals such as lions and elephants.
Mithuna Images
Karle along with the Kanheri and other sites are one of the earliest examples of use of Mithunas or the loving couples in architecture and sculpture.
The façade and veranda of the chaitya-griha at Karle as well as Kanheri have many Mithuna couples, filled with robust vitality. These are the “yakshas” and “yakshis” of early times, who are now seen together as loving couples.
Bedsa Caves
Bedsa Caves or Bedse Caves are located in the Pune District. This is known for a Chaitya and Vihara of first century BC. In ancient India, in the search for the truth, the emphasis was always on the effort that one had to make to gain knowledge. As at Bedsa, the Chaitya is partly hidden from the profane world outside. The belief was that one could learn truly or deeply only when one made a special effort for that purpose.
