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Karla Caves In Lonavala

Karla Caves in Lonavala, Maharashtra

Stroll along the shores of the mesmerising Karla Caves

Tourism in Lonavala

Rated 4.20/5 ( based on 321 reviews )

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Best time to visit
Oct - Feb
Ideal Duration
4-5 Days
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On Arrival
Starting from
Rs. 3,000
  • Fun & adventure
  • Ideal for friends
  • Nature

About Karla Caves in Lonavala

Karla Caves, also known as Karli Caves, Karla Cells or Karle Caves, are found near Lonavala in Maharashtra. Karla Caves are a group or complex of Buddhist Indian rock-cut caves which were discovered during an ancient time. These caves are located at a close proximity to Lonavala, at Karla which is only 10.9 kms from here. The shrines present at the caves were discovered during a period of time - from 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. The oldest cave shrine in Karla caves is believed to be discovered during the 160th BCE. It is also one of the most popular shrines because it arose adjacent to a significant trade route. Some of the other famous caves in Lonavala include Bhaja Caves, Patan Buddhist Cave, Bedse Caves and Nasik Caves.

About Karla Caves

A particular group of caves at Karla is believed to be one of the smaller and older of the other rock-cut caves found in Maharashtra. However, it is believed that due to “Grand Chaitya” the caves are more famous. Grand Chaitya is famous as the largest and preserved chaitya hall during the 5th century BCE. During the construction of Karla Caves, many prominent traders and Satavahana kings made significant contribution by offering the grants needed for the same. One of the most interesting facts about the caves is its location. Karla Buddha Caves are located at Karli which is the border between North and South India.

History of the Karla Caves 

The Karla Caves were constructed over two periods - the first phase from 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD while the second phase was from 5th century AD to 10th century. It is believed that the cave was created through a single design only. The rest of three excavations belonged to the Mahayana phase. Local residents and common people donated money for the construction of the Karla Caves. Some of the individuals have been mentioned on the inscriptions found in the Karla Caves. They are named Vejamti, Sopara, Munakata and Dhenukakata. 

Significance of Karla Caves

When the Buddhists became familiar about trade and commerce, they tended to situate these caves or monastic complexes near ideal geographic location which is also closer to the important trade routes. This is how trade flourished through Karla caves in Maharashtra. At present, the complex of the cave complex comes under the authority of Archaeological Survey of India.

Architecture of Karla Caves

Karla Caves constitute of 16 rocks-cut excavations, out of which eight caves are the Chaitya Grihas.

These Caves are grand in structure and bear one of the most magnificent and largest Chaitya Grihas in India.

The largest cave among the other Karla caves is 37.87 m deep from front door to its rear, 13.87 m in width and 14.02 in height.

A number of marvelous rock-cut columns with embellishments adorn this cave while the intricate carvings add a dash of culture to it.

Just behind the alley, you will find several columns which further form a semi-circular ceiling. This is also the prime object of worship here.

Activities Around Karla Caves 

An exemplary architecture of the Buddhist rock-cut caves, the Karla Caves remain one of the most important heritage spots for our tourism. Take a walking tour to explore. 

The Karla Caves are believed to be carved from living rocks. Hence, tourists can climb up these Karla caves as a part of activity here. 

Take a tour of Pavana Lake, Lohagad Fort, Lion’s Pont, Bhaja Caves, Narayani Dham Temple, Lonavala lake and Tiger’s Leap which are easily accessible from here. 

Highlights of Karla Caves

The main cave has a chaitya hall with 37 octagonal pillars and a base of water jar. 

There are beautifully decorated sculptures of men, women and animals in the caves. 

These sculptures are an important feature because they are made up of teak wood. 

An Ashoka pillar is seen at the front side enclosed by a stone façade and Tirana in between. 

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    Lonavala Packages Reviews

    Read on to find out why our customers love us!

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    Nksvetri

    Pune

    Nksvetri's 5 days trip to Lonavala

    Thank you, Travel Triangle, for yet another well-organized and memorable travel experience! Thanks to Kunwar Ujjwal of Travel Triangle for his exceptional support. As always, we had a fantastic experience with Travel Triangle and are extremely grateful for their safe and well-planned travel arrange
    ments. From the moment we booked our trip, the team ensured that every detail was meticulously handled, making our journey smooth and stress-free. The coordination between Kunwar Ujjwal and the service providers was seamless, ensuring that our trip was completely hassle-free and thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to Travel Triangle, we had a truly memorable vacation, and we highly recommend their services to anyone in search of a trusted and reliable travel partner! We had an amazing experience with 'Back to Holidays', all thanks to Shreya, our travel service agent. From the very start, Shreya was incredibly helpful, professional, and attentive to every detail of our travel needs. She ensured that our trip to Matheran, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Pune was flawlessly planned and executed without a single hassle. Shreya was always available to answer our queries and provide valuable suggestions whenever needed. Her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction truly stood out. She went the extra mile to ensure we had a reliable and skilled driver, making our journey smooth and enjoyable. Thanks to Shreya of Back to Holidays, we had a stress-free and truly memorable vacation. We highly recommend their services to anyone seeking a well-organized and delightful travel experience. We had the pleasure of having Mr. Pawar as our cab driver arranged by Back to Holidays during this tour to Matheran, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Pune. His patience and professionalism were truly commendable. Despite the multiple destinations, he remained calm and accommodating throughout the journey. Mr. Pawar's driving skills are excellent, particularly on hilly terrains. He effortlessly navigated the steep slopes, ensuring a safe and comfortable ride for us. His expertise in using Google Maps to locate various places added to the convenience of our trip. Overall, we felt completely safe and well taken care of with Mr. Pawar. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable and skilled driver for their travels. Thank you, Mr. Pawar, for making our trip enjoyable and stress-free! Improvements that can be done: Back to Holidays can enhance their service by giving drivers clear itineraries to cover locations systematically based on customer preferences, whether historical sites, temples, viewpoints, or game zones. Additionally, sharing details like toy train timings, temple pooja schedules, and ticket information would help ensure a well-organized sightseeing experience from morning to evening. We had an amazing time exploring various destinations! Riding horseback to the viewpoints in Matheran was an unforgettable experience. At Lonavala, we enjoyed visiting the Ekvira Temple, Karla Caves, Bhaje Caves, Mapro Gardens, Bushi Dam and Narayani Dham Mandir. Mahabaleshwar was breathtaking with Lingmala Waterfall, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Needle View and other scenic points. The Mapro Gardens at Panchgani added a delightful touch to our trip. In Pune, the Ganpati Temple, Sinhagad Fort and Aga Khan Palace were memorable. It was truly a well-rounded and enjoyable journey! Thanks to all.
    V

    Vivek

    Pune

    Vivek's 4 days trip to Lonavala

    I recently had the pleasure of working with Shreya from Back2Holidays for my trip to Lonavala, and I can confidently say she made the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. Pros : From our first interaction, she was attentive and knowledgeable, quickly understanding my preferences and tailorin
    g the itinerary to match. She provided excellent recommendations for accommodations and activities, ensuring we made the most of our time in Lonavala. Her attention to detail was impressive; every aspect of the trip was well-organized, from transportation to dining options. Throughout the trip, Shreya remained accessible for any questions or last-minute changes as well as charges
    AS

    Amit Shenoy

    Dombivli

    Amit's 7 days trip to Lonavala

    Had a great experience. Hotels were very good, cab service was descent and special mention to travel Agent Sonakshi for continuous follow up of the trip and making sure that it is smooth.
    N

    Nmdas

    New delhi

    Nmdas's 6 days trip to Lonavala

    Best trip ever except Aristro hotel at Lonawala Darshan at Tryambakeshwar Jyotirlinga
    AP

    Achyutananda Panigra

    Banglore

    Achyutananda's 4 days trip to Lonavala

    Sriya planned my travel trip, and it was amazing! The driver was super nice and well-behaved. Overall, an excellent experience!
    M

    Muniyanelumalai

    Pune

    Muniyanelumalai's 3 days trip to Lonavala

    overall trip arrangement by travel traingle is good overall trip arrangement by travel traingle is too good
    BD

    Biswajit Deb

    Pune

    Biswajit's 4 days trip to Lonavala

    Quality of hotels and food services needs to be improved. The same feedback was provided to the travel agent too as we found the washroom needs modifications and cleanliness can be improved a lot. The food provided did not have right quality which needs an improvement. The points of Mahabaleshwar wa
    s mesmerising however the hours provided by the travel agent could have been little more as we had to really hurry in certain points. However, overall services were good and on time.
    IR

    ISHAN RAWAT

    Bhopal

    Ishan's 3 days trip to Lonavala

    The trip and all the arrangements are good nothing issue on that part but the hotel you choose is not satisfactory. 1) No kitchen available 2) They insisted only for paid water bottles initially 3) Limited breakfast options available & quantity (means they are purchasing from outside & then prov
    ided to guests) Rest all is good. It was a memorable trip for all the guest. Tour manager SHREYA ji assist very well.
    AA

    Athira Anil

    Bengaluru

    Athira's 3 days trip to Lonavala

    Trip to Udaipur was really great. No issues happened anytime throughout the trip. Driver was very punctual and helped us cover all spots safely. City palace was such an astonishing experience.
    SS

    Sivaranjani Sendilkumar

    Chennai

    Sivaranjani's 2 days trip to Lonavala

    Overall we liked the trip...Hotels and services were good... we found it dangerous that the driver dint sleep good staying outside in car for 3days straight though he managed to drive safely... We were not comfortable with the driver using the supari/pan while driving and spitting throughout opening
    the door...

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    FAQ's of Lonavala

    Read on to find out why our customers love us!

    How do I reach Karla caves?

    You can reach Karla caves from Lonavala as it is the nearest railway station to go to Karla Caves by public transport. From Lonavala railway station, take a local bus or hire an auto to directly reach Karla.

    How many steps are there in Karla caves?

    There are a total of 350 steps in Karla Caves. You have to climb these steps to reach the Karla caves from the starting point of the hill. Halfway trip comprises of only 200 steps.

    Who built Karla caves?

    Karla Caves were built during a period of time - from 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. Karla caves date back to the rock-cut caves of Buddhist origin which are located in Lonavala, Maharashtra.

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