The state of Maharashtra located in the Western ghats has been endowed with a wealth of natural assets, be it virgin forests, table top lands, undulating hills, lakes, rivers and beaches. The civilizations of yore have created marvelous carvings in stone and especially the Buddhist monks who preferred solitary living in natural surrounding. The Hinayana and Mahayana period of the Buddhism saw the simple art of stone cutting with chisel and hammer taken to such heights that we today marvel at the artwork of Ajanta and Ellora. All over Maharashtra there are a number of places where the simple handiwork has instilled life in stone.

Ajanta Caves

The first and foremost amongst the heritage sites are the Ajanta Caves, located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The caves were discovered by some British officers on a hunt during the 19th century. These are twenty nine caves near the village of Ajintha, which have been carved and chiseled out of the Sahyadri hills. The Caves are just about 40 miles from the Jalgaon rail head. The airport of Aurangabad is just about 80 miles from the caves.

The Ajanta caves were created in the second century BC to about first century AD, various other scientific estimations go up to fifth century AD. Most of the 29 caves have a central square hall called Vihara, some measuring about fifty feet to the side. The sides have been adorned with chiseled figures and painting which depict the life during the times. Many of the caves are dedicated to the teachings of Buddha. The famous Jataka tales also form the basis of some of these paintings. The Caves are generally depicted to be having erotic paintings and carvings which is just but one part of the spectrum of teachings.

Ellora Caves

The rock cut temple architecture caves located just 20 miles from Aurangabad were constructed from 5th century AD to 8th century AD. These 35 caves have been literally cut out of a vertical face of Charanandri hills. The caves depict the religious tolerance of the times with Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples constructed in close proximity. The first twelve are Buddhist; the next seventeen belong to Hindus and then the Jains.

The Buddhist caves are the oldest of the 35 Ellora caves. The architecture is marvelous with cave 10 having the look and feel of wooden structure in stone and naturally the name ‘Carpenter’s Cave’. The Hindu caves cover the whole gamut of Hindu mythology; the incarnations of Vishnu, the Shiva temples with the Nandi bull, the devil king Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailash and the erotic male and female figures in various postures of Kamasutra. The Jain caves reflect the ascetic philosophy and customs of the religion. These caves are generally smaller than the other caves but are intricate in design and finesse.

The caves can be visited all through the year but are generally closed on Mondays for maintenance. The caves as such are cool from inside even in the heat of summer months; however the best period to visit is October to March. The best staying option for Ajanta is the state Tourism Resort at Fardpur just a couple of miles away. For Ellora caves, any good hotel in Aurangabad would do.

Elephanta Caves, Mumbai

The Elephanta Caves are situated on the island with the same name just under an hour’s pleasant boat ride from Mumbai. The name of island was given by the Portuguese after a huge statue discovered right on the sea shore. There are total of seven caves which were again the craftsmanship of the Buddhist in the 1st century BC to about 4th century AD. The important cave of Mahesha-Murthi has six huge columns and the massive doormen (Dwarpala) statues at the entrance look magnificent.

The sprawling Shiva cave temple spread over 5000 square meters is built atop a hill and is the virtual pride of Elephant Island. The 100 steps of stone lead to the temple and by the time you reach atop, you just think of God, as you are too tired to think of something else. The temple is a marvelous example of pristine architecture which creates an unmistakable rejuvenating energy field and no one can escape the enthusing positivism in the temple.

Kanheri Caves, Mumbai

The word Kanheri is derived from the word Kanha or Krishna and signifies the black hills of the region. The caves were constructed as Buddhist Viharas, primarily for stay and meditation, in the 1st Century BC to 8th Century AD. It is believed that Kanheri was a well established seat of learning for the Buddhist.

The Kanheri Caves, also known as Buddhist caves, are located just six miles from Borivali and about 30 miles from Colaba, the main district of Mumbai. The caves are located within the protected natural surroundings of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The road leading to the caves is a joy in itself and a pleasure to saunter along, in the insipid concrete jungle and serpentine traffic jams of Mumbai. The typically Buddhist cave architecture and the unmistakable huge statues of Gautam Buddha can be seen in many caves. The caves are at various height levels of the hills presumably for different weather conditions with the highest cave located more than 1500 feet above sea level.

Pandu-lena Caves

The caves located a few miles southwest of Nashik have been artificially created in soft Sahyadri ranges. The 24 caves, at a height of 200 to 300 feet can be seen on the North face of the Trirashmi hill. The caves are known as the oldest man made group staying option of the region with the date pegged at 3rd Century BC. The inscriptions in the caves also add credibility to the claim, though the name came from the Pandavs who probably stayed in the caves during their Agyatvaas.

The caves are typical architecture of the Hinyana and Mahayana Buddhist era replete with statues of Buddha and the typical Viharas. Many of the caves were later made by the donations of the subsequent kings in the Nashik area and the cave construction continued well through the 8th Century AD. The inscriptions on the cave walls tell the complete history of the caves and the region. It is a delight for the historians and lovers of natural history.

Aurangabad Caves

These are located just outside the city of Aurangabad in two groups, the Western and the Eastern Group, each with five caves. The soft rocks have been dug out to create these Tantric Hindu architecture caves. The Buddhist influence indeed stays with the presence of large Buddha statues depicting him as a preacher and teacher. The walls of the caves are adorned with figurative teaching of Jataka tales. The Cave 7 of the Eastern Group of caves has images of women including six Goddesses with exquisite depiction of the prevalent hairstyles and ornaments of the era. Some of the images are scantily clad and point to the roots of Tantric Buddhism. This aspect of Buddhism in 9th to 10th Century AD saw its influence diminishing in India.

Karla Caves

These caves are located just under 30 miles from Pune and 15 miles from Lonavala. The caves have their origins pegged at in the 2nd Century BC. These are the best examples of Hinyana Buddhist architecture with intricately designed pillars, sculptures and rock solid structural stability of cut-rock design. The National Emblem of India with four lions facing four cardinal directions has been taken from one of the Karla pillars. The thirty seven pillars of Karla adorned with sculptures of men and women of high stature prostrating before Buddha conveys the spread and acceptance of Buddhism during the times. The bug of huge did exist during those simple times too and it reflects in the famous Chaitya Hall at Karla.

The Chaitya Hall At Karla

The visit to the caves would never be complete without the gigantic 1st Century AD Chaitya Hall at Karla. The entrance has two huge lions sitting atop 50 feet high stone columns. This leads you to an anteroom with dimmed sunlight entering through recessed openings and out in the end of the fathomless tunnel you come across a large stupa looking larger than life. The walls of the hall are richly decorated with frescoes and sculpture. The rock-cut technique has been used the world over but none surpassed the Buddhist at the Karla Chaitya Hall.

Bhaja Caves

A little distance from the Karla are the eighteen Bhaja Caves, which were made in the 2nd Century BC for the Buddhist nuns. The famous piece of sculpture here is the dancing couple. The grace and feminist approach to the architecture is quite palpable with a softer representation than at Karla Caves.

Bhedsa Caves

These caves located away from the main axis, are generally not very well known to the tour operators. Just about a few miles from Karla, these caves are truly smaller versions but really peaceful with very few venturing here. The shutterbugs would get their choicest of angles and views for those memorable shots with scenic backdrops.