Tourism on the rocks: Cave trail around Maharashtra

With the Union Tourism Ministry’s plans to create tourist circuits meant to popularise tourism in India, we created a cave circuit to explore Maharashtra’s rich, diverse and stunning sites

STOP 1
Kanheri (Built: Between 3 BCE and 11 AD) Of the several ancient caves that Mumbai is home to (most of which are in derelict conditions) Kanheri Caves still attracts a batch of nature lovers.

Tourists marvel at the stone structures at Ellora. Pic/AFP

Set in one of the greenest environs in the city at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the entire complex has about 109 Buddhist caves.

Ajanta Caves

Distance from Borivali station: 1 km (approximate)

Kanheri Caves in Sanjay Gandhi National Park

STOP 2
Karla (Built: Between 60-40 BCE and 4 AD)
Known for being the site of the largest chaityagriha in India, Karla showcases 16 rock-cut excavations that are linked to Hinayana Buddhism, while three are connected to Mahayana Buddhism. The other nearest centre of great Buddhist activity is Bhaja, which is 8 km south of Karla.
Distance from Mumbai: 95 kms (approximate)

STOP 3
Bhaja (Built: Between 3 BCE and 2 AD)
Consisting of 22 excavations, this site includes an impressive chaityagriha made from a wooden prototype. With its focus on Hinayana Buddhism, one can also spot monk’s quarters and ruins of a cemetery as well.
Distance from Mumbai: 95 kms (approximate)

STOP 4
Bedse (Built: Between 1 BCE and 2 AD)
The Bedse Caves are home to a beautiful stupa in a prayer hall and a monastry too. Located near Pune, these caves have several forts in the vicinity too.
Distance from Mumbai: 109 kms (approximate)

STOP 5
Pandulena (Built: Between 2 BCE and 2 AD )
These caves were built with patronage from different kingdoms. This group of 24 caves have inscriptions that are still legible. The name of the caves can be misleading as they have nothing to do with the Pandavas of Mahabharata.
Distance from Mumbai: 158 kms (approximate)

STOP 6
Ellora (Built: Between 6-7 AD and 11-12 AD)
Unlike Ajanta, the Ellora caves are a mix of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples. One of the temples, the Kailasnath temple, was said to have been built after 2,00,000 tonnes of rock had been removed in carving for almost 100 years.
Distance from Mumbai: 351 kms (approximate)

STOP 7
Ajanta (Built: Between 2 BCE and 6 AD)
Located 100 kms form Aurangabad, the Ajanta Caves have been awarded with UNESCO World Heritage Site tag, and were first discovered in 1819 AD. There are approximately 30 caves at the site. Most of the artworks and sculptures centre on Buddhism.
Distance from mumbai: 450 kms (approximate)

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