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{{Short description|Cave complex in Maharashtra, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox Cave
| name = Bhaje Caves
| photo = <br><br>[[File:The Bhaje Caves 05.jpg|250px]]
| photo_caption = Main [[Chaitya]]grha, Cave 12, with [[stupa]]
| coords ={{coord|18|43|40|N|73|28|55|E|region:IN-MH_type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=inline,title}}
| location = Pune, Bhaje,<ref name=JAMES>{{cite book|last=Burgess|first=James|title=The Cave Temples of India|year=1880|publisher=W.H. Allen|pages=[https://archive.org/details/cavetemplesindia00burg/page/n244 223]–228|url=https://archive.org/details/cavetemplesindia00burg|quote=bhaja .|access-date=5 July 2013|chapter=The caves in vicinity of Karle and the Bor Ghat}}</ref> Maharashtra, India
| map=India
| relief=yes
| depth =
| length =
| survey =
| survey_format =
| discovery =
| geology = Basalt
| entrance_count = 22
| entrance_list =
| difficulty = easy
| hazards =
| access =
| translation =
| language =
| pronunciation = Bhaja or Bhaje
}}
'''Bhaja Caves''' are a group of 22<ref name=INDIA>{{cite web|title=Ticketed Monuments – Maharashtra Bhaja Caves, Bhaja|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_bhajacaves.asp|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India|access-date=5 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810133406/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_bhajacaves.asp|archive-date=10 August 2013|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Indian rock-cut architecture|rock-cut]] caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located off the Mumbai - Pune expressway near the city of [[Pune]], India. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja,<ref name=MAHARASHTRA>{{cite web|title=CHAPTER 20 PLACES OF INTEREST|url=http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Poona/PART%20VI/Chap%20(20)/Places%20Of%20Interest.htm|publisher=Maharashtra Government – Tourism and Cultural Dept|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref> on an important ancient trade route running from the [[Arabian Sea]] eastward into the [[Deccan Plateau]] (the division between [[North India]] and [[South India]]).<ref name="public">{{cite web |url=http://www.public.iastate.edu/~tart/arth382/lecture7.html |title=Later Andhra Period India |access-date=2007-01-24 }}</ref> The inscriptions and the cave temple are protected as a [[Monument of National Importance]], by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] per Notification No. 2407-A.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of the protected monuments of Mumbai Circle district-wise|url=http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606093840/http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
| title = Bhaja Caves Visitors' Sign
| date = 15 January 2012
| access-date = 2012-10-08
| url = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bhaja_caves.JPG
}}</ref> It belongs to the [[Early Buddhist schools]] in Maharashtra.<ref name=INDIA /> The caves have a number of [[stupa]]s, one of their significant features. The most prominent excavation is its [[chaitya]] (or ''chaityagrha'' – Cave XII), a good example of the early development of this form from wooden architecture, with a vaulted horseshoe ceiling. Its [[vihara]] (Cave XVIII) has a pillared verandah in front and is adorned with unique reliefs.<ref name=AHIR>{{cite book|last=Ahir|first=D. C.|title=Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture|year=2003|publisher=Sri Satguru Publ.|location=Delhi|isbn=8170307740|pages=191|edition=1.}}</ref> These caves are notable for their indications of the awareness of wooden architecture.<ref name=INDIA /> The carvings prove that [[tabla]] – a percussion instrument – was used in [[India]] for at least 2300 years,<ref>Pradipkumar S. Meshram, 1981, [The tabla in the Bhaja cave sculptures: A note], Indica, Volume 18, p. 57.</ref><ref name=hilj1>Mark Hijleh, 2019, [https://books.google.com/books?id=b6h8DwAAQBAJ&dq=bhaja+caves+tabla&pg=PT48 Towards a Global Music History: Intercultural Convergence, Fusion, and Transformation in the Human Musical Story], Routledge, NY, USA.</ref> disproving the centuries-held belief that the tabla was introduced to India by outsiders or from Turko-Arab.<ref name=hilj2>1999, Parsiana, volume 22, p. 49.</ref> The carving shows a woman playing tabla and another woman [[dancing]].

They are some 9 km west from the [[Bedse Caves]]. Other caves in the area are [[Karla Caves]], [[Patan Buddhist Cave]] and [[Nasik Caves]].

==Architecture==
The Bhaja Caves share architectural design with the [[Karla Caves]]. The most impressive monument is the large shrine — chaityagriha — with an open, horseshoe-arched entrance; according to the [[Archaeological Survey of India]], the [[chaitya]]grha is the most prominent aspect of the caves, and one of the earliest of the type.<ref name=INDIA /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/travel/photos-the-bhaja-caves-of-pune/photo-KHjLHfVfO5P9oP6tRrJESI.html|title = PHOTOS: The Bhaja Caves of Pune|date = 5 November 2019}}</ref> The chaitya has unique [[reliefs]] from Indian mythology. Other caves have a nave and aisle, with an apse containing a solid tupa and the aisle circling round the apse, providing the [[circumambulation]] path.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.kamat.com/database/content/architecture/index.htm
|title=5000 Years of Indian Architecture|access-date=2007-03-14
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070414175214/http://www.kamat.com/database/content/architecture/index.htm| archive-date= 14 April 2007 |url-status = live}}</ref>

[[File:Guardians Surya and Indra at the Bhaja Caves.jpg|thumb|left|Sculptures of [[Surya]] (left) and [[Indra]] (right) at the entrance of the 1st century BCE Cave 19 at Bhaja Caves.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Sita Pieris|author2=Ellen Raven|title=ABIA: South and Southeast Asian Art and Archaeology Index: Volume Three – South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fCL8pjd0JVMC&pg=PA232|year=2010|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=978-90-04-19148-8|page=232}}</ref>]]
Chaitygraha has some [[Buddha]] images. A cistern inscription shows the name of a donor, ''Maharathi Kosikiputa Vihnudata'', from the 2nd century AD. A wooden beam records two more inscriptions datable to the 2nd century B.C., which indicates caves have been there for at least 2200 years.<ref name=INDIA /> Eight inscriptions are found in the caves, some giving the name of the donors.<ref name=AHIR />

The sculptures feature elaborate headdress, garlands, and jewellery; they might have originally been painted in bright colors but later covered with plaster. Characteristic for early Buddhism, initially the caves had symbolic Buddha representation. After 4 A.D. Buddha was painted in physical form as well.<ref name=BEHL>{{cite journal|last=Behl|first=Benoy K|title=Grandeur in caves|journal=Frontline|date=22 September 2007|volume=24|issue=19|access-date=6 July 2013|url=http://www.frontline.in/navigation/?type=static&page=flonnet&rdurl=fl2419/stories/20071005505506600.htm}}</ref>

Near the last cave is a waterfall that, during the monsoon season, flows water into a small pool at the bottom.<ref name=TRAVLITE>{{cite web|title=Karla & Bhaja Caves: High-Water Mark of Buddhist Architecture|url=http://www.indiatravelite.com/feature/bhajakarlacaves.htm|publisher=India Travelite|access-date=6 July 2013|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918184750/http://www.indiatravelite.com/feature/bhajakarlacaves.htm|archive-date=18 September 2013}}</ref>

==Musical Instruments==
These caves also provide important proof regarding the history of the [[Tabla]], or Pushkara then called; an Indian percussion instrument, since carvings from 200 BCE show a woman playing tabla and another performing a dance.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
[[File:Stone carvings at Bhaje caves.jpg|thumb|alt=Stone carving of woman playing Tabla at Bhaje caves|Stone carving of woman playing Tabla at Bhaje caves]]

==Stupas==
[[File:Bhaja Caves IMG 5481.JPG|thumb|Outside stupas]]
A notable part of the monument is a group of 14 [[stupa]]s, five inside and nine outside an irregular excavation. The stupas are relics of resident monks, who died at Bhaja, and display an inscription with the names of three monks, Ampinika, Dhammagiri and Sanghdina.<ref name=AHIR /> One of the stupas has inscribed upon it ''Stavirana Bhadanta'', which means the venerable reverend.<ref name=JAMESB /> The stupa particulars show the name of the monks and their respective titles.<ref name=GREG>{{cite book|last=Schopen|first=Gregory|title=Bones, stones and Buddhist monks : collected papers on the archaeology, epigraphy, and texts of monastic Buddhism in India.|year=1996|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|location=Honolulu|isbn=0824818709|pages=175|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rxdZ-BVNm_IC&q=bhaja+caves&pg=PA200}}</ref> The stupas have been carved very elaborately and two of them have a relic box on their upper side. Names of monks have been titled with ''Theras''.<ref name=JAMES />

==Caves==
;*'''Cave VI'''
It is irregular vihara, 14 feet square, has two cells on each side and three on back side. The chaitya window is ornamental all over cell doors.<ref name=JAMES /> Ploughman's wife, ''Bodhi'', gifted this Vihara as her name is inscribed on cell door.<ref name=JAMESB>{{cite book|last=Burgess|first=James|title=Inscriptions from the Cave-temples of Western India: With Descriptive Notes &c Volume 10 of Archæological Survey of Western India|year=1881|publisher=Government Central Press|pages=22–25|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tnIIAAAAQAAJ&q=%22bhaja+caves%22&pg=PR9|author2=Indrājī Bhagvānlal|access-date=6 July 2013|chapter=Bhaja Caves and their inscriptions}}</ref>

;*'''Cave IX'''
Rail pattern ornament, broken animal figures, verandah is on frontal side. It is similar to Cave VIII at [[Pandavleni Caves]].<ref name=JAMES />

;*'''Cave XII'''
The chaitya at Bhaja Caves is perhaps the earliest surviving chaitya hall, constructed in the second century BCE. It consists of an apsidal hall with stupa. The columns slope inwards in the imitation of wooden columns that would have been structurally necessary to keep a roof up. The ceiling is [[barrel vault]]ed with ancient wooden ribs set into them. The walls are polished in the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] style. It was faced by a substantial wooden [[facade]], now entirely lost. A large horseshoe-shaped window, the chaitya-window, was set above the arched doorway and the whole portico-area was carved to imitate a multi-storeyed building with balconies and windows and sculptured men and women who observed the scene below. This created the appearance of an ancient Indian mansion.<ref>[http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_bhajacaves.asp ASI, "Bhaja Caves"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810133406/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_bhajacaves.asp |date=10 August 2013 }}; Michell, 352;Dehejia</ref>

Chaitya is 26 feet 8 inches wide and 59 feet long, with semi-circular apse at back, and having aisle 3 feet 5 inches wide, separated from the nave by 27 octagonal shafts which are 11 feet 4 inches height. The dagoba is 11 feet diameter at the floor. This resembles the [[Kondana Caves]]. The pillar has 7 different symbols of Buddha shown in floral form, buds, leaves, fan.<ref name=JAMES />

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto;" align="center" colspan="2" cellpadding="3" style="font-size: 80%; width: 100%;"
|-
|state = collapsed align=center colspan=2 style="background:#D3D3D3; font-size: 100%;"| '''Cave XII "Main Chaitya"'''
|-
|<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
File:017 Chaitya Hall and nearby Caves (33692641645).jpg|Setting of the entrance
Bhaja cave from outside.jpg|Exterior
File:Facade of the Bhaja Caves, Maharashtra, India - 20080525.jpg|Facade of the chaitya
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 05.jpg|Chaityagruha at Bhaja Caves
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 06.jpg|Wooden Ceiling in Main Chaitygruha
</gallery>
|}
[[File:Bhaja caves plan.jpg|thumb|300px|Plan of the site]]
;*'''Cave XIII'''
This seems to be destroyed. It may have been of wood construction in ancient times. It is 30 feet long and 14.5 feet deep. It is in a rail pattern, with a few cells at the back and a bolt door system.<ref name=JAMES />

;*'''Cave XIV'''
This cave is facing towards northern side 6 feet 8 inches wide and 25.5 feet deep, with 7 cells. Stone benches, square windows, stone beds—are observed in the cells.<ref name=JAMES />

;*'''Cave XV'''
It can be reached by stairs to the south of Cave XIV. It is a small vihara 12.5 wide and 10 feet deep. It has two semi-circular niches and a bench on right side.<ref name=JAMES />

;*'''Cave XVI'''
This façade has 3 Chaitya arches and the rail pattern.<ref name=JAMES />

;*'''Cave XVII'''
It is a small vihara 18.5 feet long and 12.5 deep, with 5 cells, one of the cell has a bench in it. It has two inscriptions, one of which is damaged.<ref name=JAMES /> Cell door inscription describes "the gift of cell from ''Nadasava'', a ''Naya'' of ''Bhogwati''."<ref name=JAMESB /> One more inscription over two wells in one recess describes "a religious gift of cistern by ''Vinhudata'', son of ''Kosiki'', a great warrior."<ref name=JAMESB />

;*'''Cave XIX'''
It is a monastery with a verandah. The door has guardian figures on both sides. This cave has [[Surya]] riding a chariot and [[Indra]] riding on an elephant.<ref name=KNAPP>{{cite book|last=Knapp|first=Stephen|title=Spiritual India handbook : a guide to temples, holy sites[,] festivals and traditions|year=2009|publisher=Jaico Publishing|location=Mumbai|isbn=978-8184950243|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djI5mL2qeocC&q=bhaja+caves&pg=PT568|access-date=6 July 2013|chapter=Karla and Bhaja Caves}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Close view of sculpture round doorway at rightside of verandah of the small Buddhist Vihara, Bhaja Caves, a photo by Henry Cousens.jpg|[[Satavahana dynasty|Satvahana]] protecting the entrance of a cave. Bhaja Caves.
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 02.jpg|Stairways to Bhaja Caves
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 08.jpg|Carvings at Bhaja Caves
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 10.jpg|Bhaja Caves
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 11.jpg|Carvings at Bhaja Caves
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 12.jpg|Carvings at Bhaja Caves
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 14.jpg|Waterfall at Bhaja Caves
File:Bhaja Caves Amit R Mahadik 01.jpg|Stairways to Bhaja Caves
File:Panorama Bhaja Caves.jpg|Panorama Bhaja Caves
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{BuddhasHolySites}}
{{reflist}}

==References==
* Dehejia, V. (1997). ''Indian Art''. Phaidon: London. {{ISBN|0-7148-3496-3}}
* Michell, George, ''The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India, Volume 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu'', 1989, Penguin Books, {{ISBN|0140081445}}

==External links==
{{Portal|India}}
{{Commons category|Bhaja Caves}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130810133406/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_bhajacaves.asp Archaeological Survey of India, "Bhaja Caves, Bhaja"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140220033118/http://www.journal.au.edu/abac_journal/2003/may03/article05.pdf "Indian Tourist sites – In the footsteps of the Buddha"]

{{Indian Buddhist Caves |state=expanded}}

[[Category:Lonavala-Khandala]]
[[Category:Caves of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Buddhist caves in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Buddhist monasteries in India]]
[[Category:Rock-cut architecture of India]]
[[Category:Former populated places in India]]
[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Maharashtra]]

Bhaja Caves - Revision history

Giispune at 08:17, 15 January 2026