Karla Caves is a complex of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut architecture cave shrines built over the period of 3rd to 2nd century B.C. Even though the caves were constructed over a period of time and the oldest one is believed to date back to 160 BC. Located in Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra, the caves are on an major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. Karli’s location in Maharashtra places it in a region that is the division between North India and South India.
Buddhism, having become identified with commerce and manufacturing through their early association with traders, tended to locate their monastic establishes in natural areas close to major trade routes so as to provide lodging houses for travelling traders.
Architecture: This complex of well-preserved, Theravada Buddhist caves is built on the difficult terrain of a rocky hillside. The complex also happens to be one of the finest examples of the ancient rock-cut caves found in India. The large Karla caves were excavated by hewing out the rock. Great windows light the interiors.
The main cave has a magnificent Chaitya with huge pillars and intricately carved relief’s dating back to the 1st century B.C. There are well carved sculptures of both males and females(see picture), as well as animals, including lions and elephants(see picture), a testimony to the skill of the artisan builders. Within the complex are a great many other magnificently carved prayer halls or chaityas as well as viharas or dwelling places for the monks.
A feature of these caves is their arched entrances and vaulted interiors. Built in the time of the Theravada Buddhists, these caves do not actually show the image of Buddha. The outside facade has intricate details carved to imitate finished wood. The central motif is a large horseshoe arch. There is a lion column in front, with a closed stone facade and torana in between.
During this period it is likely that thousands of caves like Karla were excavated in the Sahyadri Hills.
Encroachment: However, these Budhhist relics are being subjected to vandalism, that too under the nose of the Archaeological Survey of India. Karla caves, 11 km off Lonavla, house a monastery dating back to 2nd century BC. The monastery was once home to two 15-meter grand pillars. Now only one of these masterpieces exists and the remaining space is occupied by a temple dedicated to Goddess Ekaveera. Lord Buddha is often the silent observer when sacrifices to the goddess take place.
The scenario is not much different at the Budhhist caves in Thane where craftsmen worked for years to carve the Buddha statue out of Sahyadri rocks. Centuries passed, and then came a newer generation of craftsmen, giving a new colour to these caves. Khandeshwari Devi, a little known Hindu deity, has nearly displaced the Buddha and changed his complexion to saffron Lord Ganesha is also party to this divine encroachment and in the Buddhist caves at Nasik, it is Lord Hanuman.The news shades of divinity find no takers among Buddhist scholars.
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