Karla Caves

Just a few km west of Lonavala are the Karla Caves -- caves carved into rock by Buddhists from the 2nd century BCE through the 10th century CE. The main temple is most impressive -- huge. The site is reached by about 150 steps lined with small shops selling flowers for the Hindu shrine that's also located at the site and "chikkis", nut brittles of various sorts, a specialty of Lonavala. From all the water spots on the lens, not to mention Lon's rain poncho and my umbrella, you would be correct to surmise that this was a wet trip!

Some of the steps that lead from the parking lot up to the caves.

Shops line the steps. (Sometimes I think monsoon should be called the "Season of the Blue Tarp".)

About a third of the way up the steps. The valley below is filled with rice paddies.

Karla Caves. The temple cave is just off to the left, but the view of the entrance is obscured by a Hindu shrine.

The temple. Unusual feature of this temple include the wood arches in the ceiling and the wooden parasol over the stupa.

The top of a large column at the temple entrance. I love the moss growing everywhere.

An elephant carving at the temple entrance.