Karle Caves

Case Study

1. KARLE CAVES

2. LOCATION COORDINATES : 18.78N 73.47E LOCATION : THE KARLE CAVES OR KARLA CAVES IS LOCATED IN KARLI NEAR LONAVALA, MAHARASHTRA. THE KARLI MARKS THE DIVISION BETWEEN NORTH INDIA AND SOUTH INDIA BUILT IN : THE SHRINES WERE DEVELOPED OVER TWO PERIODS- FROM THE 2 ND CENTURY BC TO THE 2 ND CENTURY AD AND FROM 5 TH CENTURY AD TO THE 10 TH CENTURY BUILT BY : THE BUDDHIST MONKS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCATION : THE LOCATION IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR ITS ECONOMY,IT IS ON THE ANCIENT HIGHWAY CONNECTING SEAP ORTS OF KALYAN AND SOPARA TO THE CITIES LOCATED INLAND

3. SPECIALITY OF THE CAVE :: The notable feature of these caves is their arched entrances and vaulted interiors. The outside façade has intricate details carved into it in an imitation of finished wood. The central motif is a large horseshoe arch. There is an ashokan pillar at the front , with a closed stone façade and torana in between. There were inscription on the pillars. There is absolutely no sign of any corrosion. The most remarkable feature of the cave is its arched roof supported by wooden beams which have astonishingly survived the onslaught of elements for more than 2,000 years. The wooden umbrella above the chaitya is unique in the buddhist caves around the world.

4. SURROUNDINGs

5. Architecture of the cave  THE KARLA, ANCIENT NAME AS “VALURAKA” , IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS CENTERS OF EARLY ROCK- CUT ARCHITECTURE EXCAVATED ABOUT 100 MTRS. ON A HIGH SPUR OF THE CHAIN OF HILLS ON NORTH FLANK OF INDRAYANI VALLEY AND IS JUST 8KM AWAY FROM ANOTHER BUDDHIST ROCK CUT CAVES OF BHAJA TOWARDS SOUTH. THE GROUP OF KARLA INCLUDES TOTAL 1 EXCAVATIONS DEPICTING ARTISTIC EMBELLISHMENT OF HINAYANA(THERAVADA) AND MAHAYANA SECTS OF BUDDHISM. OF THEM ONLY ONE IS CHAITYAGRIHA AND REST 15 ARE VIHARAS.

6. PLAN & SECTION

7. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE :: THE KARLA CAVES HAVE LARGE WINDOWS CUT INTO THE ROCKS TO LIGHT THE CAVE INTERIORS. THE CAVES ARE BELIEVED TO BE SOME OF THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR CAVES EXCAVATED IN THE SAHYADRI HILLS IN THE EARLY 1 ST MILLENNIUM AD THE MAIN CAVE FEATURES A LARGE, INTRICATELY CARVED CHAITYA, OR PRAYER HALL. THIS IS AMONG THE LARGEST ROCK CUT CHAITYAS IN INDIA, MEASURING 45 METRES (148FT) LONG AND UPTO 14 METRES (46FT) HIGH.

8. Left veranda and portion of the entrance

9. . There are 37 columns in all of which 30 have interesting capitals showing prosperous men and women riding elelphants and horses yet bowing in humility to the great buddha. The hall features scupltures of both males and females , as well as animals such as lions and elephants. Within the complex are a great many other carved chaityas, as well as viharas, or dwelling palces for the caves monks

10. Hall of the Great Chaitya Left row of columns Right row of columns

11. PAINTING OF LORD BUDDHA

12. Inscriptions on columns INCRIPTIONS MADE IN BRAMHI SCRIPT

13. Sculptures and carvings

14. MATERIAL STUDY BASALT ROCK TIMBER WOOD