Ancient site · Temple
Karla Caves
Also known as Karli Caves
Buddhist rock-cut caves near Lonavala in Maharashtra, on an old trade route from the Arabian Sea ports into the Deccan. Their Great Chaitya (Cave 8), cut in the 1st century CE, is the largest and best-preserved prayer hall of its age: a long vaulted nave that still keeps its original wooden roof ribs, rows of pillars with sculpted elephants, and a stupa at the end.
Inscriptions record gifts from merchants, several Yavana (Greek) donors and kings.
- Dates
- 2nd century BCE–5th century CE
- Still standing
- Yes
- Location
- 18.78° N, 73.47° E
How we know
Donor inscriptions in the caves name merchants, monks, Satavahana and Western Satrap rulers.
Nearby sites
- Ajanta Caves (early caves) early caves c. 2nd century BCE–1st century CE; second phase c. 460–480 CE
- Lothal c. 2300–1900 BCE
- Junagadh rock inscriptions (Girnar) Ashoka c. 250 BCE; Rudradaman c. 150 CE; Skandagupta c. 456 CE
- Hire Benakal c. 800–200 BCE
- Submerged structures off Dwarka disputed: c. 1500 BCE (S. R. Rao) or historical to medieval times
- Bhimbetka rock shelters paintings c. 10,000 BCE (Mesolithic) to medieval times; occupation far older