| Lonavala is known as the Jewel of the Sahyadri in | | | | a façade screen made of teak wood. It has a |
| Maharashtra. It is located in the western slope of | | | | base structure similar to a water jar and the |
| Sahyadris Hills at an altitude of 625 meters. Its name | | | | entrance is adorned with a horse shoe arch. |
| was derived from the word Lonavali. It is a Sanskrit | | | | Visiting Karla Cave would take a 12 km drive towards |
| word which refers to its surrounding caves. Lonavala | | | | Pune and a left turn passing to MTDC's Holiday Home. |
| has a very pleasant climate which made it the most | | | | Another 3 km drive down the narrow road is the |
| popular weekend destination. | | | | route to get into Karla. |
| Lonavala houses the five popular caves namely the | | | | Bhaja Caves |
| Elephant Caves, Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, Ajanta | | | | Bhaja Caves are located at the center of Lohagad |
| & Ajanta and Ellora Caves. These are part of | | | | Fort and Visapur Fort. These caves are mush smaller |
| the eco-tours that attract many adventure tourists | | | | with a Chaitya style. Tourists should take a 250 feet |
| the whole year round. | | | | climb to get into the caves. There are 18 rock cut |
| Elephant Caves | | | | caves as old as since the 2nd century. The first cave |
| Elephant caves are situated close to the metropolitan | | | | is the place of the master architect and ten were |
| city of Mumbai. It is known as Puri and later became | | | | reserved for the viharas for priests. The other seven |
| Ghapuri. It is the capital of the coastal kingdom and | | | | caves have an inscription concerning its donors. A |
| the cave shrine of Lord Shiva. The cave can be | | | | beautiful waterfall is seen at the end. |
| reached 10 km away from the Gateway of India. | | | | The cave houses many sculptures like a prince |
| History says that the Portuguese are the first who | | | | seated on an elephant, a prince of chariot, |
| took possession of Elephant Island. They named it | | | | three-armed warriors and dancing couples. There are |
| after the statue of an elephant to which they first | | | | also carved figures of Gods and Goddesses. |
| landed. The 60,000 square feet area cave was | | | | Tourists who want to visit Bhaja caves should reach |
| excavated during the sixth century. There are "rock | | | | Malavali station via a further drive of about 3 km to |
| cut" temples found here as old as 5th century. | | | | Bhaja village. A local train to Malavali station is also |
| Internal spaces, images and columns are also found | | | | available. |
| inside the temples. | | | | Ajanta & Ajanta and Ellora Caves |
| The entire place is a monument where rock surfaces | | | | Ajanta and Ellora Caves are located near the |
| are finely finished and unfinished. The cave also | | | | Aurangabad city. It is the early repository of Indian |
| consists of courtyards, a main chamber, shrines and a | | | | architectural custom, having 34 caves at Ellora and 29 |
| natural rock mass above the temple. | | | | caves at Ajanta. The caves became a world-heritage |
| The eastern and western entrances are one of the | | | | site with a preserved artistic legacy for the next |
| three gates that mark the axis of the temple. There | | | | generations. Adjanta is 99 kms away, while Ellora is |
| are 20 pillared halls and a preserve Shivalingam. | | | | 30 kms from Aurangabad respectively. |
| Tourists can reach the caves by a 15 minutes boat | | | | Adjanta caves were discovered during the 19th |
| ride. | | | | century at the semi-arid Sahayadri hills. The 29 |
| Karla Caves | | | | Adjanta caves have a rich collection of stories about |
| Karla Caves is an ancient Buddhist cave since 160 BC. | | | | Buddha reincarnations. It was built as a private |
| It is believed to be the biggest among the Chaitya | | | | retreat for Buddhist monks and it houses some of |
| Caves. It is a 600 feet stiff high to the top with 15 | | | | the divine sculptures of Buddha preachings. There are |
| meters wide. These caves show evidences about | | | | also wall paintings of Boddhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara |
| the Buddhist ideologies. This is through stupas and | | | | and Padmapani. |
| inscriptions. | | | | However, the 34 Ellora Caves are dedicated to Jain, |
| As you enter the cave, there are sightings of lion | | | | Buddhist and Hindu faiths. It is carved during 350 AD |
| pillars, huge elephant forms that represent Gautan | | | | to 700 AD at the basaltic hill side with facades and |
| Buddha as well as a small temple of Ekvira Devi. The | | | | artistic interiors. |
| Chaitya hall has 37 octagonal pillars with a feature of | | | | |