Karla Caves in Maharstha

The Karla caves are craved around 500 ac. The caves with praying nieces were excavated for the Buddhist monks, who used to gather here during the monsoons. Built in the time of the Hinayana sect, during the Satavahanas rule, these caves do not actually show the Buddha.
A steep 350-step climb leads to the caves.
Unfortanately hindus had to build directly in front of the enterance an hindu temple as if they were scared for competition.



The facade of the caves is formed by carved temple screens, ornaments and human couples. I still wondered why the monks needed these figures, to test the resistance to temptation ?



The panels of the wooden doors and windows are finely decorated with intricate sculptures of couples embracing. By the seventh century AD, the Mahayana sect took over and representations of Buddha became more common. By the central doorway, you'll find sculptures of the Buddha preaching while seated on a lion-supported throne, along with magnificent carvings of three elephants, On each side, fifteen pillars separate the narrow aisles from the central arch. The pillars are adorned with motifs of elephants, men and women riding, etc




In the small garden I detected something rare a mango tree covered with blue flowers from a saprophite.