Indian History and Art & Culture

Published: 7th May, 2022

Context

The ASI recently demanded that the district administration remove the encroachments near Ekvira Devi temple which is close to Karla caves.

About

About Karla Caves:

Location: Situated around 8 km from Bhaja, near Lonavala.
The rock-cut Buddhist Karla Caves believed to date back to the 1st century BC.
- The rock cut architecture, such as the Petra in Jordan, are structures that are created by cutting into sheer rock faces.

It is believed that in the 2nd century BC – mid 2nd century AD there were carved thousands of caves in Sahyadri Hills (Western Ghats) for all Buddhist communities.
- Part of Karla Caves have been created later – in the 5th – 10th centuries AD.

They are remarkable because they have the biggest and best-preserved prayer hall in India.
The Karla Caves were once a Buddhist monastery and consist of 16 excavations/caves.
Most of the caves belong to the early Hinayana phase of Buddhism, except for three from the later Mahayana phase.
Chaityagriha: Main Cave: The main cave is the huge prayer/assembly hall, known as a chaityagriha, that's believed to date back to the 1st century BC.
- It has a magnificent roof made out of carved teak wood, rows of pillars decorated with sculptures of men, women, elephants, and horses, and a large sun window at the entrance that deflects rays of light towards the stupa at the rear.
Viharas: The other 15 excavations are much smaller monastery living and prayer spaces, known as

Dynasty

These amazing caves were started by ancient Buddhists more than 2,000 years ago: carbon-14 dating, inscriptions, and architecture style indicate that the oldest cave here has been created sometime around 120 BC, during the Satavahana dynasty.

Temples carved in the natural cliff were especially well suited for Indian conditions and prescriptions of Buddhists – they were cool in summer, pleasant in winter, and spiritually were part of nature.

Architecture

Karla Caves represent the highest achievement of Indian rock-cut architecture of the time and are one of the earliest examples of ornate and richly decorated rock-cut temples in India.
The earlier caves were made by the more ancient branch of Buddhists – Theravada Buddhists.
Back then images of Buddha were not used in temple architecture. Later – Mahayana Buddhist temples from the 5th to the 10th century – include statues of Buddha.
The architecture of earlier cave temples in many respects repeats the elements and construction of wooden architecture.
Karla Caves are characterized by large horseshoe-shaped windows lighting the interiors and vaulted interiors.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.
It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.

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