2000 year old Buddhist trail to Karla & Bhaja Caves as a day trip from Mumbai
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Two thousand years ago Buddhist monks built monasteries along the trade routes through the Western Ghats to shelter the merchants who funded them. These caves above Lonavala are what remains. Inside Karla's great prayer hall — the largest rock cut chaitya in India — wooden ceiling ribs installed by the original builders are still in place after two millennia. At Bhaja, a carving shows a woman playing what historians have identified as a tabla, pushing the known history of India's most celebrated drum back by over a thousand years. This Karla and Bhaja Caves tour from Mumbai covers both sites with an expert guide who brings the full story of Buddhist trade-route monasticism and ancient Indian music history to life. Private car, expert guide, all entry fees and lunch included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
Inclusions
What's included
- Local guide
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Hotel & Cruise Terminal pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
What's not
- Drinks
Itinerary
730AM- Hotel pick up 945AM– We reach the base of Karla caves. There are a set of 200 steps to be climbed from the parking area. Karla Caves wee built between the 2nd and 5th centuries under the patronage of the Kingdoms of the day. These caves were a key centre for Buddhism in Western India. There are 16 magnificent Buddhist caves with the oldest one dating back to AD 160. The first set of caves were built by Theravadas, an ancient sect of Buddhists while Mahayana group of Buddhists built the later set of caves. The sculptures in the Caves are remarkable. Horse shoe shaped windows bring in the sun light into the cave providing a refreshing environment. The highlight of this visit will be the prayer hall in the main Cave, which is one of the largest rock cut structures in India. The object of worship is a Stupa right at the end of the prayer hall. Cave no 12 is the other unforgettable experience. It has a very interesting characteristic. The ceiling of this Cave has wooden ribs on the ceiling. The wood has survived for 2 millenia!
After lunch, we visit Bhaja Caves, the other important Buddhist centre in this part of the world. 200 intricately carved steps need to be surmounted before we reach this magnificent specimen of rock cut Buddhist caves. We visit a set of 22 caves located 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, dating back to 2nd century BC and built by Hinayana group of Buddhists. While 10 of these caves were Viharas or residences for the monks, the other 12 are Chaityas or prayer halls. Cave 12 is a splendid specimen of wooden architecture and vaulted horseshoe ceiling. It also has a pillar which shows Buddha in different forms like Bodhi tree, lotus, elephant, wheel and throne. One of the carvings at Bhaja caves show a woman playing a Tabla the classical Hindustani musical instrument. This has pushed back the current understanding of origin of Tabla as an instrument in Ancient India. 730 PM- End of Karla & Bhaja Caves tour and we drop you back to hotel
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 515
- 41
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 16 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- 5 Senses Walks
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A moderate amount of walking is involved. 200 steps each in Karla and Bhaja
How it compares in Mumbai
- Its from-price is 15% above the median of the 59 day trips we list in Mumbai.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 17 of 59.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Mumbai
Mumbai is India's restless, glamorous megacity on the Arabian Sea, a city of colonial landmarks, seaside promenades, film studios and street food.
The Gateway of India faces the harbour beside the grand Taj Mahal Palace hotel, and Colaba's streets fill with cafés and markets. The Gothic-revival Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Victorian and Art Deco buildings around the Oval Maidan show the city's architectural ambition.
Top-ranked sights in Mumbai: Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Special offers in Mumbai
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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