The Bhaja caves, a group of 18 caves, is located 12 kilometers from Lonavla in Maharashtra. Built during the reign of the Mauryan rulers in the 2nd century BCE, these caves are fine illustrations from the early Theravadin phase of Buddhism.


Architecture
The Bhaja caves are the perfect examples of the phase of early Buddhist architecture, belonging to the early Theravadin period. Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism has been represented through numerous symbols in these caves. However, the caves which were carved after the 4th century CE, also presents the Buddha in His physical forms.

The pillars of these caves can be seen sloping downwards, some of them carved with figures of flowers and other images. The cave number 12th, a Chaitya hall, which is the largest of all has a fine stilted vault. The last cave towards the south illustrates the fine architecture and sculpture in ancient India. This cave includes the pictures of a dancing couple, a prince seated on an elephant and other images. Cave number 1, a dwelling house, and other 10 caves, which were viharas are master pieces of the architecture with a religious background. The remaining 7 caves contain inscriptions about the donors.


The City of Bhaja Caves

• Lonavla : which is also known as the 'Jewel of the Sahyadri', is one of the famous hill stations in Maharashtra. A home to several hill spots and lakes, Lonavla is a gateway to the famous ancient Buddhist caves of Bhaja.

Other Cave Attractions

• Karla : The Karla caves, built by the Buddhist monks, dates back to 3rd to 2nd century BCE. These caves, consisting of monasteries, temples and viharas, presents the early Buddhist architecture in an excellent form.
  
  
• Elephanta : The Elephanta caves, which is located 9 miles across the sea from the Gateway of India, Mumbai and approximately 400 kilometers from Ajanta caves, hosts some magnificent rock cut caves. These cave temples, dating back to the 7th century, have been dedicated to the Hindu lord Shiva depicting Him in all three major forms - Creator, Protector and Destroyer.
  
  
• Ellora : The Ellora caves, belonging to 5th century CE to 11th century CE, are located at a distance of 28 kilometers from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The finest examples of cave-temple architecture in India, these caves comprises the cave temples related to all three major religions in the ancient India - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
  
  
• Ajanta : The Ajanta caves are situated on the Sahyadri hills at a distance of 70 kilometers from the Ellora caves near Aurangabad. A major heritage centre of Maharashtra along with that of Ellora and Elephanta, the Ajanta rock cut caves, 30 in number, comprises Chaitya halls, shrines, Viharas and monasteries, once used by the Buddhist monks.
  
  
• Pithalkhora : The Pithalkhora caves, dedicated to the Theravada sect of Buddhism, is located on the Satmala hills, 78 kilometers from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The largest Theravadin caves of the Indian sub-continent, the Pithalkora caves date back to the 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE and includes mainly Buddhist temples, monasteries and viharas.
  
  
• Kanheri : The Kanheri caves, belonging to the 2nd century BCE to the 9th century CE, are located in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali, 40 kilometers from Mumbai, the state capital of Maharashtra. These caves, built by the Mauryan and the Kushana rulers, comprises monasteries, viharas and temples used by the Buddhists.
  
  
• Aurangabad Buddhist Caves : The Aurangabad Buddhist caves, dates back to the 4th-8th century CE, thereby forming a major centre of attraction in Aurangabad among the tourists. Built by the Chalukya and the Vakataka rulers, the caves are related to the Mahayana sect with two exceptional cases - one being dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha, while another one relates to the Theravadins.