Karla Caves Trip

After a very long time, myself and my some collage mates planned to have a trip to Karla Caves. It had been a long time that we people went together and had fun together. Though many people were supposed to join the trip but in the end very few people turned up. the trip was planned for 17th of February. We were in all 9 people in which their were four boys and five girls. Suprised, that more girls turned up then boys.

I was the only one coming from Pune to Lonavala, all my collage mates were coming from Mumbai. My friends started very early from Mumbai since they were coming by bus to Lonavala. I set off pretty late since it takes hardly one hour to reach Lonavala. We all were supposed to meet at Lonaval ST bus stand. It got pretty late for everyone to reach Lonavala bus station, I think we reached around noon.

There were two ways to reach the caves, one was through stone steps and other was proper road for the vechicles for those people who doesn't want to waste energy in climbing. We all decide to climb through stone steps.. It took us around 30 minutes to climb vis stone steps to the impressive Karla Cave. The scenary was awesome with beautiful mountain and wonderful caves. Karla Cave is the largest Early Buddhist chaitya ( temple ) in India. Completed in 80 BC, the chaitya is around 40m long and 15m high, carved by monks and artisans from the rock in imitation of more familiar wooden architecture.

At the entrance of the principal cave is the temple of Goddess Ekvira visited by thousands of devotees from the coastal region around Mumbai during the annual fair falling in April (chaitra) and also during Navratri. Ekvira temple is on the right side of the main cave while at the left side is a lofty column with three lions on its top.

The central structure is called the stupa - a dome shaped monument built over the remains of a Buddhist saint. This room was like silence embedded in stone. The wooden arches have survived the wear and tear of over 2000 years! The Buddhist carvings in stone and wood, the austere living/meditation quarters give visitors an almost real feel of what it must be like - to live like a Buddhist monk. Great windows light the interiors. There are well carved sculptures of both males and females, as well as animals, including lions and elephants.

We all started our journey back around 4pm in the evening. Lonavala is not only famous for its beauty but also for its Chikki. So, on the way back to Lonavala we all bought some chikki and other eating stuff for our family and friends. Later, we all took our convinient transport to our home from Lonavala Bus Stand. All in all the trip was very fun filled. Though very few people turned up but we enjoyed to our fullest.