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Ancient · Buddhist · India
Bhaja Caves
भाजे लेणी
Lonavala, Maharashtra · 18.7290°, 73.4813°
Buddhist chaitya, viharas and stupasUndeterminedrock-cut Buddhist architecture imitating timber construction
Sacred since
200 BCE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
2nd c. BCE, with inscriptions to the 2nd c. CE
Undetermined
History & significance
A group of 22 rock-cut caves near Lonavala whose barrel-vaulted chaitya and reliefs document the early development of Buddhist architecture; one carving is cited as evidence that drums of the tabla type were in use over two millennia ago.