Bhaja Caves

INDIA, Maharashtra, Pune

The Bhaja Caves were created between the 3rd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. There are more than 20 caves at the site, including one caitya cave and numerous vihara caves.
The caitya cave, Cave 12, was constructed at the end of the 2nd century BCE and is one of the earliest known caitya caves with an apsidal layout. Like the caitya caves that followed, the carvings within the cave emulate wooden architectural elements. The facade is intricately carved, and the ceiling inside the main hall contains remnants of wooden rafters. There are 27 hexagonal columns which form a corridor around the hall. A stupa is located at the rear of the main hall.
Cave 18 served as a vihara cave and has a portico at the front. On the walls within the portico are relief images of a figure riding a four-horse chariot and another riding an elephant. Guardian deities wearing ornament flank the doorway. The interior of the cave has a rectangular layout. The south and east walls opens into cells, and a stone bench is carved along the north wall.
Most of the other caves reflect the same basic layout of Cave 18, with porticos in the front and cells in one to three walls. Some of the caves have a small circular cell that houses a stupa. In one irregularly shaped cave, there are 14 carved stone stupas, some of which are inscribed with names. The stupas may have served as reliquary stupas for past monks.