Bhaja Caves

Bhaja is composed of 22 caves frühbuddhistisches cave monastery in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The complex is one of the oldest of its kind in India.

Location

The caves are located on the Deccan Plateau located near an ancient caravan route about halfway between Mumbai and Pune and is only 3 km from Karli; they are the best from the small local train station in Manavli be reached in a 30-minute walk.

History

About the history of the cave monastery, i.e. above construction, the founder, craftsman, regional significance, etc. exist no written records; only two vaulted rafters of the main hall and in the cistern short inscriptions were discovered, of which the former two in the 2nd century BC are dated. The dating of the earliest caves ( vihara ) and the main hall ( chaitya ) in the 3rd and / or 2nd century BC is thus based essentially on stylistic comparisons with the neighboring Buddhist caves of Karli and Bedsa.

Architecture

Chaitya Hall

The large apsidal worship hall ( chaitya ), with its largely preserved wooden dummy vault is the core building of the Buddhist cave monastery of Bhaja; it is slightly inclined by 27 octagonal pillars, which have neither bases nor capitals, divided into a wide central nave and two narrow aisles. The entire space is about 17 m long and 8 m wide; he has no Bauzier. That worked out from the rock high vault is lined with somewhat more than 2000 years old teak beams. The standing in the apse of the hall - also worked out from the rock and about 3.50 meters high - Stupa is hardly broken, but still on the fence enclosure ( harmika ) of a formerly existing Honor screen ( chhatri ) was excessive. Due to the presence of an aisle handling the usual for Buddhists circumambulation ( pradakshina ) of the stupa was possible both directly and indirectly. However, It may be that (at least in the early days of the monastery ) near the circumambulation and touching the stupa reserved for the monks or other highly placed persons.

Vihara Caves

The remaining caves of Bhaja are mostly - communal - caves ( viharas ) with hewn out of the walls small sleeping chambers, where sometimes even the raised stone beds are seen. Some of the caves were probably used ( in later years ) as hostels for pilgrims and passing merchants whose alms and donations were always welcome, because in the wider area of the monastery there were only a few small villages, whose inhabitants in the long run not the daily could ensure supply of mendicant friars or wanted. The operation of the monastery had to be somehow maintained and funded yet.

Function

The viharas were carved out painstakingly from the rock. Most of these caves form a large square communal lounge with adjoining small sleeping cells in the interior. Walls, ceiling and floor of the main room were smoothed as much as possible, the cells on the other hand - only roughly handled - with the exception of the stone couch instead. Space and cells were originally completely unadorned; However, sometimes small stupas or Buddha images were carved out of the rock chambers and walls and ceilings with stucco smoothed and painted in later times here. Some of the small cells (eg in cave 5) have ornate entrances - maybe they were provided for high ranking monks or for visitors and guests.

Reliefs in cave 19

In the Vihara Cave number 19, there are two unusual - and certainly later (3rd / 4th century AD) - prepared reliefs (see web link), the two opposing Maharajas ( turban ), possibly (?) but also the Vedic sun god Surya (left) and the main Vedic god Indra show (right); it would be the earliest surviving representations of the two Hindu gods throughout India. Remarkable, but not uncommon is the fact that in a Buddhist monastery Hindu statues are seen - both religions existed in India for centuries in peaceful coexistence.

• Surya (?)

The left of the two - unfortunately not well preserved - reliefs may show Surya on his chariot drawn by four horses, which is worked like an antique uniaxial chariot. The visible arm of the main character is in a cuff; the reins hang down slightly. Below the horse is a curved, thick bulky figure with a barely discernible head - perhaps a defeated enemy or a demon. The hair of the god is covered with a multi- winding turban; dangling earrings and a double wound garland around the neck make the jewelry. To the left of the main character a ( e) holds servants ( in ) a fly-whisk in hand. Between this figure and the God is a shield - both a sunscreen as an honor or emblems.

• Indra (?)

The relief on the right of the doorway maybe shows the god Indra, Surya's brother, riding an elephant who takes a tree with its trunk; while a person seems headlong fall off. Below the elephant and before that a lot of people can be seen - whether Begleitgefolge or fleeing opponents is unclear. In his right hand Indra holds an elephant bar ( ankus ) with which the animal commands were transmitted. With his left hand he has a hanging down from the neck garland of flowers; around the wrist he wears a cuff. Head and earrings resemble the Surya - figure on the opposite side. Behind Indra sits a servant with a banner and with palm fronds, which were used as air compartments; around his waist he wears a strange shreds skirt. The door frame is included in the scene; in front of the right foot and below the left foot of the elephant each one by a fence ( harmika ) shows trimmed tree.

Jali window

Worked out of a natural stone wall is a simple Jali window that is one of the earliest surviving copies of its kind and certainly contributed very little to the exposure of the underlying space, but rather was meant purely decorative. The frame is slightly profiled; all designed in two planes window panel is based on - not received - wooden or braided role models. Comparable - but closed - wall motifs are found in the cave dwelling ( vihara ) of the nearby cave monastery of Bedsa.

Votivstupas

Under a ledge or directly in front of it 14 out hewn out of the rock votive or Gedenkstupas close together. The unusual plant is sometimes referred to as a ' cemetery '; Relics or their containers were not found. Two of the stupas wear short Sthavira inscriptions, which refer to the orthodox ' doctrine of the ancients '.

Importance

Most researchers tend to believe that the Chaitiya Hall of Bhaja the oldest of its kind in India. The slanting pillars and the wooden vault certificate refer to earlier freestanding wooden structures whose existence is assumed to be secured, but of which has received nothing.

Environment

In only a short distance from Bhaja (3 km and 12 km ), the Buddhist cave monasteries of Karli and Bedsa.