CleanupBot at 06:04, 24 November 2023

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox Cave
| name = Bedse Caves
| photo = Bedsa Caves main vihara.jpg
| photo_caption = The [[Chaitya]]grha in the cave
| location = [[Maval]] taluka, [[Pune District]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| depth =
| length =
| coords =
| map=India
| relief=yes
| survey =
| survey_format =
| discovery =
| geology = Basalt
| entrance_count =
| entrance_list =
| difficulty = easy
| hazards =
| access =
| translation =
| language =
| pronunciation = Bedse or Bedsa
}}
{{BuddhasHolySites}}

'''Bedse Caves''' (also known as '''Bedsa Caves''') are a group of [[Buddhist]] [[Indian rock-cut architecture|rock-cut monuments]] situated in [[Maval]] taluka, [[Pune District]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. The history of the [[cave]]s can be traced back to the [[Satavahana]] period<ref>Michell, 351</ref> in the 1st century BCE.<ref>Harle, 54</ref> They are some 9 km from the [[Bhaja Caves]]. Other caves in the area are [[Karla Caves]], [[Patan Buddhist Cave]] and [[Nasik Caves]].

There are two main caves. The best known cave is the ''[[chaitya]]'' (prayer hall - Cave 7) with a comparatively large [[stupa]], the other cave is the monastery or [[vihara]] (Cave 11). They are marked by a profusion of decorative [[gavaksha]] or chaitya arch [[motif (visual arts)|motifs]].<ref>Michell, 351-352</ref>

==Chaitya==
Cave 7, the chaitya hall, is reached by a long narrow passage into the rock. The front [[verandah]] has four very elaborate columns with capitals of pairs of animals and riders of "solemn grandeur".<ref>Michell, 351-352; Harle, 54, quoted</ref> Beside these the side walls are covered with low-[[relief]] gavakshas and latticework representing architectural railings, comparable to those in the same place at the slightly later chaitya in the [[Karla Caves]]. In contrast, and unlike Karla, the chaitya hall itself has little decoration, with plain octagonal columns. The decorative ribs on the roof, which in other chaityas are stone replicating wooden architecture, were actual wood here, and have been lost.<ref>Michell, 351-352; Harle, 54</ref>

An inscription on one of the gate arches reads: ''Gift of Pushyanka, son of Ananda Sethi from Nashik''.

==Vihara==
The vihara at Cave 11 has a rather unusual form, with a main chamber shaped somewhat like a chaitya, with a rectangular plan with a rounded [[apse|apsidal]] far end, and a [[Vault (architecture)|vault]]ed roof. This is now open to the outside, but presumably originally had a wooden screen. Around the chamber are nine doors to cells, each with a relief chaitya-arch surround. [[Frieze]]s with railing patterns run round the room at two levels. There are four further cells outside where the screen would have been.<ref>Michell, 352</ref>

==Other==
There is also a small [[stupa]] outside to the right of the main caves. Until around 1861 the caves were regularly maintained - even painted. These works were ordered by local authorities in order to please [[United Kingdom|British]] officers who often visited caves. This has caused loss of the remnants of plaster with murals on it.

==Visiting==
Both caves face [[east]]wards so it is recommended to visit the caves in the early morning, as in [[sunlight]] the beauty of carvings is enhanced.

Bedse Caves can be reached from [[Pune]] via [[Kamshet]]. Upon reaching Kamshet Chowk, left route is to be taken. That route goes straight to Bedse Village where the caves are located. They can also be reached via Paud - Tikona Peth - Pawananagar. Alternate route is from Somatne-Phata on the Pune-Mumbai NH4 [[Highway]].

Bedse Caves are comparatively less known and less visited. People know about the nearby [[Karla Caves]] and [[Bhaja Caves]] but have hardly heard of Bedse Caves. The [[trilogy]] of the caves (Karla - Bhaje - Bedse) in Mawal Region can't be completed without Bedse. An easy hike through 400 steps leads to the caves. Also close to the Bedse caves are the famous foursome of [[Lohagad]], [[Visapur fort|Visapur]], [[Tung Fort|Tung]] and [[Tikona]] forts adjoining the [[Pawana Dam]].

The best time to visit Bedse Caves is the rainy season as the hills are filled with lush greenery during that time. Also many small waterfalls are created that can only be enjoyed during the rainy season. As this is one of the lesser known spots, not many tourists throng the place, so makes it easy to enjoy the views.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:003 General View (33308435000).jpg|General view, with the top of the chaitya entrance columns visible, and the outside [[stupa]]
File:004 Entrance to the Chaitya Hall (33563202691).jpg|Entrance to the Chaitya Hall
File:BEDSE CAVES (5).jpg|Columns at chaitya entrance
Image:Bedsa Caves detail.jpg|Capital of a column above the main entrance
File:014 Columns and Capitals (32849694414).jpg|Capitals
File:Bedsa Caves3.JPG|Side wall inside the [[chaitya]] verandah
File:BEDSE CAVES Pune (by Amit Mahadik).jpg|Peepal leaves on [[gavaksha]] arches
File:BEDSE CAVES (2).jpg|The [[stupa]] in the chaitya
File:BEDSE CAVES (6).jpg|Floral Carving over chaitya doorway
File:BEDSE CAVES (7).jpg|Inscription in Brahmi: ''Gift of Pushyanka, son of Ananda Sethi from Nashik''
File:022 Main Vihara Cave (32879147573).jpg|Main vihara
File:026 Inside the Main Vihara (33563138071).jpg|Inside the vihara
File:Bedsa Caves4.JPG|Cell doorways off the vihara
File:Bedsa caves.jpg|Bedsa caves
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*Harle, J.C., ''The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, {{ISBN|0300062176}}
*Michell, George, ''The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India, Volume 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu'', 1989, Penguin Books, {{ISBN|0140081445}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Bedse caves}}
* [https://camppawna.com/place/bedse-caves/ Bedse Caves detail info]
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/himanshu_sarpotdar/sets/72157600281744703/ Photographs by Himanshu Sarpotdar]
* [http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/India/Maharashtra/Bedse.htm Bedse Caves - legendary cliff temples]

{{coord|18|44|51.75|N|73|31|57.5|E|region:IN|display=title}}

{{Buddhist sites in Maharashtra}}
{{Indian Buddhist Caves}}

[[Category:Buddhist caves in India]]
[[Category:Buddhist sites in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Caves of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Pune district]]
[[Category:Indian rock-cut architecture]]
[[Category:Former populated places in India]]
[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Architecture of India]]
[[Category:Caves containing pictograms in India]]

Bedse Caves - Revision history

CleanupBot at 06:04, 24 November 2023