Bedsa Caves

Bedsa Caves, are comparatively less known and hence less visited. People are aware of the nearby Karla and Bhaja Caves but have hardly any knowledge of these. The trilogy of the caves (Karla – Bhaja – Bedsa) in Mawal Region can’t be completed without visiting Bedsa

One has to climb a about 400 steep steps to reach the caves. But once there, you are rewarded with majestic piece of rock cut architecture engraved in the rugged backdrop of Sahyadri ranges.

The center of attraction at the Bedsa is the majestically built Chaitya (Buddhist Shrine) or a large Stupa. The Entry porch and the facade stand for the decorations around it. Access to the Chaitya, also known as Cave 7, is by a long narrow passage cut thru the rock.

You do have to leave the footwear outside this cave, but the peace, the quiet and the air condition like cooling from the rock walls wanted me to just stretch, relax and catch up on my breath I must have missed climbing up.

There are four gigantic pillars built in the varanda that hold the roof of this two floor high cave. I always doubted the “i-originated-from-a-monkey” theory; it was time to put the theory to test, so I climbed, I climbed the hill again to take a closer look at the carvings on the pillar. Noticed beautifully (Un) dressed 😛 couples portrayed as sitting on horses and elephants.

There is another cave which is the monastery or vihara (Cave 11).

This is much like a U shaped structure open from for the front. The caretaker here suggested the possibility of a wooden screen being present at the huge entrance to keep the praying monks from getting disturbed

Map ot the Bedsa