Yelghol Caves 2021

We Trekking Paltan Group Pune visited the caves on 28.02.2021

How to Reach - It is about 60 km from Pune City. The caves are rightly located on the Google Map. 

Pune - Dehuroad - NH48 - Somatne Fata before Talegaon Toll- take a left from Somatne Fata on the Pavana dam road- Parandwadi -Bebdohol- Thugav -Ardav - Take left from here. We didn't found any board here for Yelghol Village- Shivali - Yelghol Village

Google Map Link - https://goo.gl/maps/N5P8s3x9hdV8s5r37

Parking - It is available in the village. Ask local people about the place.  

From Yelghol Village the caves are hardly on 20-30 minutes walking from farms. The caves are too small. 20-30 mins are sufficient to explore the place. There is a small waterfall in the rainy days. 

Small shops are there in Yelghol Village.

 

Bedse Caves

 Bedse Caves बेडसे लेणी

About Caves :These are Buddhist caves. Smaller in size. Less crowded. Not so known and famous. Peaceful atmosphere. Chaitya, Vihar and Stupas are beautifully carved in the caves. 

Visiting Time : 9 a.m to 6 p.m.

How to Reach :  

About 65 km from Pune. Travel time approx. 90 mins.

By road - Pune - Go on Bangalore - Mumbai Old Highway - Proceed to Mumbai direction - Dehuroad - Talegaon - Vadgaon - Kamshet - 55 k.m. - Take left turn to Pawna (dam) nagar  road - small ghat - cross express way by over bridge - Bedse village - take right turn through village - Kaccha road to caves - this road is narrow and rough - Park vehicle here.

Same road further goes to Pawna dam, Lohgad to Lonavla.

Parking : 

There is no paved parking here, but place for is there for parking.

Food & Stay : 
There is home-stays at nearby villages.
There is a small restaurant in Bedse village. Villagers can provide meal on pre-order basis.
Even hotels are available at Lonavla and Khandala which is hardly 15 km from Bhaje caves. 

What to See :
You need climb steps to reach the caves. It will take approx 20 mins.

The Cave is chaitya with exquisite stupa in it, almost reaching the ceiling. Both sides of the main hall are flanked by octagonal columns of stone.The other large cave chamber is vihara, with nine smaller cells.
Entrance in the cave is decorated with two round pillars and two semi-columns, Each of them has beautiful sculptural groups on cap – humans or deities riding animals like horse, bull, elephant etc.

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Nearby Places : Karla-Bhaje caves, Pawna dam, Lohgad fort, Visapur fort, Tikona fort, Tung fort, Lonavla-Khandala 

Bhaje Caves

Bhaje Caves भाजे लेणी 

About Caves : 
Bhaje caves are Buddhists caves carved in 2nd century B.C. in Pune District, which is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. Chaitygruha and group of small 14 Stupas are notable monument in the Caves. The site is named after the base village i.e. Bhaje. There are about 22 rock-cut caves at the spot. 

Visiting Time : 8 a.m to 6 p.m.

How to Reach :  About 75 km from Pune. Travel time approx. 90 mins.

By road - Pune - Go on Bangalore - Mumbai Old Highway - Proceed to Mumbai direction - Dehuroad - Talegaon - Vadgaon - Kamshet - 70 k.m. - Take left turn to Karla Village - Malavli station - Bhaje village -Park vehicle here

By train - Take Pune - Lonavla Local train - get down on Malavli station - walk to Bhaje village about 1 km.

Same road further goes to Lohgad and Visapur Forts.

Parking : 
There is paid parking provided at Bhaje Village by local people for Buses, cars and bikes.

Stay : 
There is home-stays at nearby villages and hotels are at Lonavla and Khandala which is hardly 5/7 km from Bhaje caves. 

Food : Local home made food is available in Bhaje village. Small restaurants are available at the parking. Vadapaw , Kanda bhaji, Pakoda, tea, water bottles are available. 

What to See :
There are about 22 rock-cut caves. You need to climb up on steps about 10/15 mins to reach top where caves are situated.  There are Chaitygruha, vihar , Stupas and carved statues and stories of Lord Buddha. 

There is waterfall at the Bhaje village in the monsoon season.

 

 
  

 
 

 

Nearby Places : Lohgad, Visapur, Pavna Dam, Lonavla, Khandala, Karle, Bedse caves, Tung-Tikona fort

Karla Caves & Ekveeradevi Temple

Karla Caves कार्ले लेणी & Ekveeradevi Temple

About Caves:
These caves are carved almost 2000 years ago around the 2nd century belongs of Buddhist religion.
This place has a collection of Chaityas (halls) and Viharas (monasteries). narrating some  stories of Lord Buddha. A temple made of pillars from the Buddhist period has also been built recently at the entrance of the caves. 

The Ekvira Aai Temple is a Hindu temple located to the side of these caves. The Ekviradevi is Goddess  of the Aagri-Koli community and other communities of Hindus. 
The site had religious importance for Hindus and Buddhist.

The site is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.

Visiting Time : 9 a.m to 6 p.m.

How to Reach :  

About 75 km from Pune. Travel time approx. 90 mins.

By road - Pune - Go on Bangalore - Mumbai Old Highway - Proceed to Mumbai direction - Dehuroad - Talegaon - Vadgaon - Kamshet - 70 k.m. - Take right turn to Karla Caves/Ekvira Devi Temple road - Bhaje village -Park vehicle here

By train - Take Pune - Lonavla Local train - get down on Malavli station - walk to Karla caves about 1 km.

Parking : 

There is entry fees collected by local administration per vehicle.
There is paid parking provided at base for buses.
Cars and bikes can go even up midway.

Stay : 
There is home-stays at nearby villages.
Many hotels are there at the base of Karla caves including MTDC hotels.
Even hotels are available at Lonavla and Khandala which is hardly 5/7 km from Bhaje caves. 

Food : There are many restaurants Veg-Nonveg hotels at the base & Parking.
Small restaurants are there on the steps ascend and at the near the entry gate. 

What to See :

There is entry fee and charges for camera. 

You need to climb up on steps about 20/30 mins to reach top where caves are situated.  Steps are carved and maintained. 

There are Chaitygruha, vihar , Stupas and carved statues and stories of Lord Buddha and Jataka tells. 

Nearby Places : Lohgad, Visapur, Pavna Dam, Lonavla, Khandala, Bhaje cave, Bedse caves, Tung-Tikona fort