A day to rediscover the Buddhist heritage site 

Tripoto
19th Aug 2018
Photo of A day to rediscover the Buddhist heritage site by theuncanny_traveller

Maharashtra is popular for its rich History with forts and heritage cultural sites.

I would like to share My experience when I visited this ancient Buddhist heritage site known as 'Bhaje Caves'.

Photo of A day to rediscover the Buddhist heritage site  1/2 by theuncanny_traveller

Location:

Bhaje caves are located 400-500 feet above the Bhaje village in Malavli Maharashtra.

How to reach here:

Closest cities are Pune and Mumbai .You can reach here by road and rail with 20+ mins of walk or paid cabs from the Malavli Railway Station.

Railway:

Photo of A day to rediscover the Buddhist heritage site  2/2 by theuncanny_traveller
Malavli Railway Station

You can reach Malavli railway station from Pune by boarding a Local train from Pune which will cost you 15-20 rupees and get down at Malavli railway station .It would take an hour or hour and a half.

If you are coming from Mumbai then you first need to reach Lonavala railway station and then board a local train from Lonavala to Malavli which will take 5 mins .It would take two to two and a half hours.

Road:

From Pune you can take any of the two highways ie the Express highway or the old Mumbai Pune Highway to Reach Malavli and then walk tilll your Destination.

From Mumbai you can do the same and choose any of the two highways mentioned above

Best time to visit: Monsoons

My Trip

7 am sunrise

Photo of Pune, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

I started my trip to Bhaje caves on an early Sunday morning and witnessed this beautiful Sunrise .You can take stops on the highway for some yummy breakfast .

After an hour of travelling you reach Malavli and you are set for this wonderful expedition.

Day 1

Malavli village cum town

Photo of Malavli, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

I walked to the caves to experience the beautiful waterfalls on my way to the caves .Monsoons are the season strongly recommended to visit this sight .

Trell begins

Photo of Malavli, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Enthralling waterfalls

Photo of Malavli, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

After experiencing the waterfalls you reach at the tip where if you go ahead you will reach the beautiful Lohgad fort and if you climb the stairs you will reach the amazing Bhaje caves.

At the foot of the Destination

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Some view to kill for

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Some more!

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

The trell up !

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Almost there

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

The Local authorities charge a minimum of 20 rs as an entry fee to this site.

After around 15-20 mins of climbing the stairs our destination arrives.

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

These caves have been standing tall for more than 2000 years and that makes them very special.They are unique and very eye catching . They have 14 stupas which signify the caves to a greater extent.

Bhaje caves

Photo of A day to rediscover the Buddhist heritage site by theuncanny_traveller

Thats me exploring the main Stupa

Photo of A day to rediscover the Buddhist heritage site by theuncanny_traveller

Chaityagruha

Photo of A day to rediscover the Buddhist heritage site by theuncanny_traveller

The carvings are pleasant,peaceful and very beautiful .Words cant explain it all you need to visit these caves to experience the architectural heritage it holds.

Rains <3

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Inside the caves :1

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Inside the

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Inside the caves:3

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Stupas

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

wall carvings

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Thats me again

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

If you visit in Monsoon you will witness the amazing Bhaje waterfall.

Bhaje Waterfalls

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Thats me !

Photo of Bhaje Caves Ancient Buddhist Heritage, Lonavala, Maharashtra, India by theuncanny_traveller

Visit these beautful caves and share your experiences ! And let me know if my blog was of any help to you guys!

Thanks!

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