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Photo: Elroy Serrao, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Buddhist archaeological site consisting of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC. It is considered as the oldest Buddhist caves of the Deccan region. The caves are nestled 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, which is 12 km away from the popular hill resort of Lonavala.The caves are known for their unique architecture that replicates wooden structures in stone; the caves are a highlight of the region’s early cave architecture. The Bhaja Caves offer a tranquil retreat for travelers and a profound glimpse into early Buddhist monastic life in the Deccan.
Important caves of Bhaja Cave complex:
Bhaja Caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located off the Mumbai - Pune expressway near the city of Pune, India. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau. The inscriptions and the cave temple are protected as a Monument of National Importance, by the Archaeological Survey of India per Notification No. 2407-A. It belongs to the Early Buddhist schools in Maharashtra. The caves have a number of stupas, one of their significant features. The most prominent excavation is its chaitya, a good example of the early development of this form from wooden architecture, with a vaulted horseshoe ceiling. Its vihara has a pillared verandah in front and is adorned with unique reliefs. These caves are notable for their indications of the awareness of wooden architecture. The carvings prove that tabla – a percussion instrument – was used in India for at least 2300 years, disproving the centuries-held belief that the tabla was introduced to India by outsiders or from Turko-Arab. The carving shows a woman playing tabla and another woman dancing.
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Visapur Fort is a majestic 18th-century hill fortress located near Malavli village, near Lonavala. Located at an altitude of 3,556 feet (1,084 meters) it is higher and bigger than its more celebrated neighbour Lohgad. It is a popular monsoon trekking destination.
scorpion’s tail
At the northern vertex of the triangular table-top lies a narrow strip of elevated rock stretching about 500m with an average width of 15 m. It looks like a scorpion’s tail, which is why it’s called Vinchu Kata. However, the Vinchu Kata is not accessible to visitors. A barricade with a board saying “No Entry Beyond This Point” prevents visitors from getting into the narrow stretch of elevated land.
Located in the shadows of the knoll on the north-eastern side lies a roofless structure consisting of two chambers. The chamber on the west houses the remains of Shaikh Umar Avalia. This is also an active dargh, and on the full moon day in the month of Poush (Dec – Jan), 1000 devotees (irrespective of religion) visit the place.
The table top of Lohagad is flat apart from a central knoll (a small, low, round natural hill or mound), located at the middle of the tableland. Atop the knoll stands a dargah with a couple of tombs. Nothing much is known about the occupants of the tomb. There are no structures. The graves stand on an elevated platform surrounded by a metallic railing. It is an active dargah with fresh sheets being laid above graves by locals.
North of the drinking water source is the 16-sided tank. It is a large water body with two separate flights of stairs. It was built by Nana Fadnavis in 1789.
The eastern edge of the table top houses several rock-cut Buddhist caves. One of the caves is known as Lakshmi Kothi. Nothing much is known about the origin of the caves. According to experts they date back to 2nd century CE.