The Buddhist Excavations at Bhaja are a small series of very early Hinayana ( Theravada) Caves datable to the 2nd Century B.C. to 1st Century A.D. and consist of 29 excavations.
Perhaps one of the oldest Buddhist religious centers in the Deccan, it is hence significant to the development of Caves Architecture. The Principal Excavation at Bhaja is the Chaitya, which resembles its timber precedent in design with ribbed timber fitted ceiling, plain octagonal shafts with a slight inward rake and much timber attachment or mortises left in the rock to house timber members in the front and within.
The exterior of this prayer hall seems to have been fitted with a huge timber, attachment that has since worn away to be replaced by a gaping hole. Such timber overlay is still evident inside of the cave which has timber ribs spanning the entire width of the roof. The Stupa is a plain conception in two simple parts consisting of a cylindrical base supporting a tall domical body with a railing finial, There are 12 inscriptions in different caves. The other interesting feature of this group of caves is the cluster of Stupas.
:
Location 📍
:
maps.app.goo.gl/Pmy9817hJahRF9aC7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
:
Information captured by Wikipedia