Four Ancient Rock Cut Cave Temples of India With Finest Architecture

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The diverse land of India has much to explore. India is a land of temples and it is here, that we find temples even in caves. Many rock cut temples that we possess are still unexplored and show the cultural legacy that ancient India has left behind for us.

The rock cut temples come with the best types of rock cut cave architecture. Almost all the caves are under the Archeological survey of India. Most of these caves were Buddhist chaitya and viharas long time ago

1. Belum caves, Andhra Pradesh

Found in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh, and known to be the second largest natural caves in India, Belum caves were discovered by a British surveyor Robert Foote. In the year 1988, the caves came officially under the protection of Government. It was opened for tourists in 2002. The caves are about 3 km in length and at a depth of 150 ft below the ground. There are some traces of evidence to prove that Buddhist monks performed tapasya here. An entrance chamber and sixteen paths are the distinguishing marks of Belum caves from that of others. Saptaswavaral guha or musical chamber was recently discovered and the metallic sound emits due to the stalactites which were formed here ages ago.

2. Dungeshwari caves, Bodhgaya

Dungeshwari caves otherwise recognized as Mahakala caves are located nearby Bodhgaya. Before Buddha began his final tapasya at Gaya, he meditated for a number of years in these caves. Buddhists find this an appealing destination to meditate for a while here. These caves are home to scores of temples dedicated to Buddha and invite a lot of tourists to this place. This cave has a very pleasing atmosphere that makes this place very attractive.

3. Karla Caves, Maharashtra

As you are travelling along the Pune Mumbai highway in Maharashtra, on your way you can find the very popular rock cut temples of Karla. Oldest caves featuring Buddhist temple art, these caves have a grand entrance and a horse shoe shaped arch, with a chaitya with 37 pillars that stands above a water jar. These caves were the meditation spots for Buddhist before.

The creators of these caves were the Buddhist nuns in 100 AD. Inside Karla caves you can find chaityas and viharas of Buddhists. Chaitya was a prayer hall whereas the viharas were the homes of the monk The chaitya hall is largest rock cut prayer hall in India.The walls of the chaityas and Viharas feature sculptures of animals such as lions and elephants that are made of metallic and ivory jewelry.

4. Mawsmai Caves, Meghalaya

Located 6 km away from Cherrapunji, the Mawsmai Caves are located in the Northeastern state, Meghalaya. The caves have a facility for natural light to help tourists explore the natural formations. Limestone caves are only open upto 150 meters of their length. There are a number of stalactites and stalagmites caves inside these caves. Mawsmai cave is a cave that can be easily accessed without the help of a guide.

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