Karla Caves, Maharashtra

How to reach there:
Road: There are daily buses from Lonavala to Karle caves.

Accomodation Only in Lonavala

• Adarsh Hotel.
• Chandralok.
• Duke’s Retreat.
• MTDC karle Resort.

Location
Karle is 3km north of the town of Karle Caves Junction, 11 km from Lonavala on NH4.

It is a Buddhist cave.It is the largest and the best preserved.In the porch of the cave, dividing the three doorways, are panels of figures in six couples, presumed to have been the wealthy patrons of the hall. Two rows of octagonal columns with pot-shaped bases divide the interior into three, forming a wide central aisle and, on the outside, a hall that allowed devotees to circumambulate the monolithic stupa at the back. Above each pillar’s fluted capital kneels a finely carved elephant mounted by two riders, one with arms draped over the other’s shoulders. Amazingly, perishable remnants survive from the time when the hall was in use; teak ribs on the vaulted ceiling show that the stone was carved to resemble a wooden structural model. Surmounting the stupa are the remains of a carved wooden umbrella.