2000 year old Buddhist trail to Karla & Bhaja Caves as a day trip from Mumbai

4.9 (16 reviews) 12 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

16 reviews

4.9

Stupa — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Karla caves — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Two thousand years ago Buddhist monks built monasteries along the trade routes through the Western Ghats to shelter the merchants who funded them. These caves above Lonavala are what remains.

Inside Karla's great prayer hall — the largest rock cut chaitya in India — wooden ceiling ribs installed by the original builders are still in place after two millennia. At Bhaja, a carving shows a woman playing what historians have identified as a tabla, pushing the known history of India's most celebrated drum back by over a thousand years.

This Karla and Bhaja Caves tour from Mumbai covers both sites with an expert guide who brings the full story of Buddhist trade-route monasticism and ancient Indian music history to life.

Private car, expert guide, all entry fees included.

5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.

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At a glance

Duration: 12 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: 5 Senses Walks

Ages: Infants (0–0 years) · Children (2–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Local guide
Included: GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Included: Hotel & Cruise Terminal pickup and drop-off

Not included

Not included: Lunch

Itinerary

Karla Caves

2 hours Admission included

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!
Bhaja Caves

2 hours Admission included

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