Rock Cut caves were always been multi-religious and multi-cultural, it has been influenced by various religions over the years. Fortunately Maharashtra , a western state of India has the crown of having the most beautiful Rock Cut caves in India .To name the most popular ones as below :
Ajanta Caves - Ajanta Caves date back to 2nd century BC. The paintings and sculptures in these monuments are one of the finest surviving Indian Buddhist religious art. The intricate carvings of the Jataka tales are a major attraction here. Ajanta Caves are the World Heritage Sites that are very popular in India.
Ellora Caves : Ellora Caves are one of the top rock-cut cave architectures in Maharashtra. Dating back to 5th-10th century, they’re UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are 34 rock-cut cave temples built by 3 major religious entities: Hindu, Jain and Buddhist.
Karla caves : Located in Lonavala , Karla Caves served as the Buddhist monasteries during 2nd C - 5th C. They belong to the Hinayana Sect of Buddhism.
Elephanta caves : Located in Mumbai and close to Gateway of India , These caves mainly consist of Hindu rock-cut caves and a few Buddhist caves. Many sculptures are destroyed during the colonial rule and they still stand the test of times. Elephanta Caves are famous for the sculptures of Shiva and mythological stories of Shaivism.
Bedse Caves : Bedse Caves are one of the oldest caves in Pune, Maharashtra. They are said to be built during 1 BC. The famous forts of Lohagad, Tung, Tikona and Visapur are situated near Bedse Caves. These monuments are some of the popular monsoon destinations in the state.
