Famous Temples in India

Architecture

Structure includes a representation of the Buddha and an aisle made up of 37 pillars and carved elephant heads. The Bhaja Cave complex comprises 18 caves and 14 stupas. Adorned with the classic Indian rock-cut architecture of the era, the architecture of these caves narrates the actual culture and tradition of India and the ancient Indian period. The Bhaja Caves share the 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 Chaityagrha is the most prominent aspect of the caves and one of the earliest of the type. The topmost captivations of these caves are the Stupas, which have the caves carved profoundly outside and inside both. These caves also provide important proof regarding the history of the Tabla or Pushkara then called an Indian percussion instrument, since carvings from 200 B.C. show a woman playing tabla and another performing a dance. 

Chaitygraha has some Buddha images. A cistern inscription shows the name of a donor, Maharathi Kosikiputa Vihnudata, from the 2nd century A.D. 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. Eight inscriptions are found in the caves, some giving the name of the donors. The sculptures feature elaborate headdresses, garlands and jewelry, 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 4th century A.D. Buddha was painted in physical form as well. Near the last cave is a waterfall that, during the monsoon season, flows water into a small pool at the bottom.

As usual with cave culture, the Viharas present in Bhaja had served as hostels for the learning Buddhist monks. The caves are also interesting for the fact that they are one of the oldest among all caves in India. The pillars are plain octagon and they taper inwards, as it would have been required in wooden structures as this is a copy of an existing wooden structure. To cope up with the outward thrust from the top, The inward slope of pillars is required in a wooden structure. A stupa is placed at the back measuring 3.45 m in diameter for worship. The stupa has a salient hemispherical dome on a cylindrical drum crowned by a railing pattern and is having the provision of a hole on a top for inserting a wooden umbrella. At present, the entrance of the hall is completely open.

Another interesting and somewhat mysterious feature of Bhaja Caves is a semi-open cave full of Stupas. The Stupas can be found around 30 meters from the Chaitygriha. It contains a group of rock-cut stupas, which is a cemetery with fourteen rock-cut stupas, 9 on the outside, and 5 inside. Cave 18 is a cloister and consists of a rectangular hall with a front pillared verandah. The hall has two cells each on the back and right side, while on the left side is a bench. Unlike the pillars of the Chaitygriha the pillars have a square base and top with the octagonal shape in the middle. Two doors from the verandah leading to the hall. The verandah of this cloister has two famous sculptural embodiments which are most important. It depicts a royal, accompanies by four women, riding a four-horsed-chariot, running over a demon. To the left of the door is depicted as a person driving an elephant with attendants. Some identify this as Indra. Cave 12th is a prayer hall, which represents a fantastic example of ancient Buddhist architecture. It's the biggest of all the caves, and the tilted vault is worth an interesting notice. Due to the "Dancing couple" structure, this cave is also notable.

• Cave VI - These are irregular vihara houses with two cells on either side and three on back. Visitors will see the name of Bodhi engraved on the cell door that implies that this place is a gift for her.
• Cave IX - Explore these caves to see the rail pattern adornments, broken animal structures along with a verandah.
• Cave XII - The highlight of Bhaja Caves is its large chaitya that is a prayer hall. It's amongst the earliest of its nature representing Indian mythology with a horseshoe-shaped entrance. The chaitya at Bhaja Caves is perhaps the earliest surviving chaitya hall, constructed in the second century B.C. It consists of an apsidal hall with a 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-vaulted with ancient wooden ribs set into them. The walls are polished in the 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. Chaitya is 26 feet 8 inches wide and 59 feet long, with a semi-circular apse at back, and having aisle 3 feet 5 inches wide, separated from the nave by 27 octagonal shafts. 11 feet 4 inches in height. The dogoba 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.
• Cave XIII - This one looks like ruined by fire covering the charred remains. It is a 30 feet long and 14.5 ft deep cave depicting the wooden architecture.
• Cave XIV - This cave is facing towards the 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.
• 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 the right side.
• Cave XVI - This façade has 3 Chaitya arches and the rail pattern.
• Cave XVII - It is a small vihara 18.5 feet long and 12.5 deep, with 5 cells, one of the cells has a bench in it. It has two inscriptions, one of which is damaged. Cell door inscription describes the gift of cell from Nadasava, a Naya of Bhogwati. One more inscription over two wells in one recess describes "a religious gift of cistern by Vinhudata, son of Kosiki, a great warrior.

Stupas - Bhaja caves boast a group of 14 stupas that are an unusual excavation. The stupas trace the story of resident monks as well as exhibit an inscription with the names of monks Dhammagiri, Ampinika, and Sanghdina carved on it. One of the stupa shows Stavirana Bhadanta means the venerable reverend inscribed on it. The stupa particulars show the name of the monks and their respective titles. 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.