description Karla Chaitya Stupa Overview
The Karla Chaitya Stupa is a rock-cut Buddhist prayer hall (chaitya) located inside Karla Cave No. 8 near Lonavala in Maharashtra, India, dating roughly to the 1st century BCE or 1st century CE. The hall is one of the largest early rock-cut chaitya halls in India and features an apsidal plan with rows of carved pillars leading to a solid stupa at the far end. Its walls and pillars bear inscriptions recording donations from lay patrons, including merchants and regional rulers associated with the Satavahana dynasty.
The site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
help Karla Chaitya Stupa FAQ
Where exactly is the Karla Chaitya Stupa located?
The Karla Chaitya is an ancient rock-cut Buddhist prayer hall located inside Karla Cave No. 8. It is situated near Lonavala in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
How old is the Karla Chaitya Stupa?
The massive prayer hall dates roughly to the 1st century BCE or the early 1st century CE. Its construction was heavily patronized by the Satavahana dynasty and various local Buddhist communities.
What is the architectural style of the Karla Chaitya?
It features a horseshoe-shaped, vaulted apse carved directly into the rock face, mimicking earlier wooden architecture. The hall is lined with intricately carved pillars and the focal point is a solid stupa at the curved back end.
Is the Karla Chaitya stupa solid or hollow?
The stupa itself at the end of the apse is a solid rock structure meant for circumambulation. The massive, hollow prayer hall surrounding it is the largest of its kind in India.
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