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The Karla Caves are a complex of ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves at Karli village near Lonavala, excavated between roughly the 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE, with some later additions up to the 10th century CE. They are associated with the Mahasamghika school of Buddhism.
The centrepiece of the complex is the Great Chaitya (Cave 8), the largest and best-preserved chaityagriha of its kind in India, constructed between about 50 and 70 CE. Its soaring pillared hall, monolithic stupa and richly carved facade with donor inscriptions make it one of the grandest examples of early rock-cut Buddhist architecture anywhere in South Asia. Inscriptions at the site record donations from monks, nuns, traders, kings and villagers, offering insight into the economic and religious life of the period.
A shrine to the folk goddess Ekveera at the entrance to the Great Chaitya, added in later centuries, remains an active place of worship today, making Karla a site where ancient Buddhist heritage and living local religious practice coexist. The caves are protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
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