During the months of Monsoon, between June and September, after the rains have drenched the countryside with constant showers, velvety carpets of lush green grass cover every hill and valley, waterfalls cascade down smallest of rocky inclines, mountain streams run down the hill sides … you are literally in the fairy land. And it is this enchanting beauty which attracts thousands of tourists to Lonavala and Khandala every year, partucularly during weekends and public holidays.
My first visit to Bhaja Caves was by accident when one monsoon weekend we decided to visit Lonavala which is a famous hill station in Sahyadri mounains near Mumbai and Pune.
I remember it was the year 2007, a Saturday morning we left home in our Maruti Wagon R for Lonavala & Khandala, with plans to visit Bhushi Dam and Rajmachi Point.Weather was perfect for the outing no heavy rains, nice cloudy sky and super green surroundings ... this was a day when the laziest of souls would not stay cooped up inside, nature called you to enjoy its beauty.
By the time we crossed Dehu road the lush green country side had already set our mood and we were looking forward to a great day ahead. The beautiful four lane to Lonavala gives you just enough time to savour the beauty around and we were on the outskirts of Lonavala town in hardly forty minutes. We saw a long line of vehicles going into the town but none of them were moving and soon we were part of the notorious traffic jam of Lonavala. The four lane ends outside the town and the narrow town roads find themselves over burdened under the load of all the tourist vehicles.
After spendin more than 3 hours in the jam and moving just a couple of kms we decided to turn back, in the menwhile we had also come to know that the road to bhushi dam was also blocked by the long line of vehicles and there was no way we could have made it there. Luckily we were able to find our way to Kumar’s where we had delicious Rajasthani thali. After gorging on the delicious food ,we turned back home.
We must have been about 5-6 kms out of Lonavala and were crossing the road that goes to Karla Caves when suddenly I remembered that the road opposite goes to Bhaja Caves. It was arund 3.30 pm and we did not want to spoil the whole day without any sightseeing. We turned the car back and confirmed the directions to the caves with a chai wala and after having a piping hot cup of ginger tea we moved towards Malavali which is on the way to Karla Caves and the nearest railway station.
There is a manned railway crossing at Malavali , a 10 mins wait at the crossing for a train to pass and we on our way and on to the over bridge which crosses over the Mumbai Pune Expressway. Seeing the beautiful E-Way and all the cars rushing beaneath the bridge at high speed we could not let go off the tempting photo opportunity. After clicking a few photos and enjoying the scene we started for Bhaja village.
After a couple of kms we entered the Bhaja village which is a small village at the base of the hills on which the Bhaja Caves are located. There were a few tourist vehicles around and after parking the Wagon R we started towards the caves on foot.
We could hear the noise of rushing water and a bend in the trail brought us to a fabulous 3 tiered waterfall, and a huge crowd was enjoying the cool waters. We were pleasantly surprised at the find as this was an added bonus for tourists visiting the caves. We missed out on the waterdall at the Bhushi Dam but found this beautiful place instead.
We did not wait for long as light was already fading and we wanted to reach the caves as soon as possible. A few meters ahead of the waterfall we found the steps leading to the caves and a 15 minutes climb along the green hillside which was replete with many small waterfalls and rushing streams brought us to the gates of Bhaja caves.
The time was past 5 pm and the gates were already closed, there were many visitors inside but no new visitors were being allowed inside. This was a disaster for us and what a sad ending it would have made to the already tiresome day.
The old gate keeper cum caretaker looked kind hearted and we decided to take a chance and requested him to let us inside just for 10-15 minutes just to click some snaps. And luckily he accepted our request , and after buying the tickets we rushed inside .
Now I will leave you alone with the pictures, to muse over the beauty of these ancient Buddhist caves and let the pictures do the talking.
Bhaja Caves Near Lonavala , Pune. Part - 2
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