Bedse Caves is in the Pune district of Maharashtra.
These caves are an absolute delight for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike.
Let’s start with the most popular cave, the Chaitya or prayer hall. It’s so huge that you can pray to Buddha and to hold good number of monks in action there.
But beware, they might try to convert you to Buddhism with their powerful chants and calming demeanor.
Moving on to the less popular Vihara or the monastery, which apparently was where the Bhiku or Buddhist monks lived during the rainy season. I guess that’s why they call it the “Rain Caves.”
The entrance to the caves is adorned with sculptures of animals and deities. If you’re an animal lover, you might feel right at home here. But, that are sculptures on the cave, you can’t ride the elephants or bulls, no matter how much you beg.
The intricate carvings inside the caves are a sight to cheer, and the best time to visit is early morning to catch them in the perfect sunlight. But be warned, the five columns adorned with jewels might make you feel underdressed.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also visit the nearby forts of Visapur, Lohagad, Tikona and Tung forts. But make sure you’re in good shape because these forts are not for the faint of heart.
Finally, the history! The Bedse Caves were constructed during the reign of the Great Ashoka ruler, who built numerous Buddhist monasteries to atone for his past mistakes.
In conclusion, the Bedse Caves are an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves history, nature. And don’t forget to visit between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to catch all the action.
There are two main caves. The best known cave is the chaitya (prayer hall – Cave 7) with a comparatively large stupa, the other cave is the monastery or vihara (Cave 11). They are marked by a profusion of decorative gavaksha or chaitya arch motifs.
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