Don’t Miss the Bedse Caves – Find Out Why
There are three important Buddhist caves near Pune. They are Bhaja caves, Karla caves and Bedse caves. Bedse, by the way, is also often referred to as Bedsa. Though all these three caves reveal almost the same things and architectures, but for some reason, Bedse is lesser known and not too frequented by tourists. Most of them give it the miss. That’s good news in a way, because it means that, there will always be a lesser crowd. You will be alone with all the Buddhist viharas, stupas and sculptures. You can study them closely and take notes, if you are into ancient architecture or is a student of history.
What to See in the Bedse Caves
Frankly, the cave circuit of Maval taluka in Pune district will never be complete if you haven’t been to Bedse. It is really a must-visit place for those who are interested in Indian history, heritage and architecture. These caves have been dated back to the 1st century BC. In Bedsa, there are two main caves. There is the prayer hall or Chaitya with a larger stupa. And there is the vihara or the monastery. You will find wonderful carvings in both of them, though they are not as ornate as some other caves elsewhere in the state. The caves were maintained and painted too regularly till 1861 as local authorities wanted to please the British officers. So you will see the use of plaster in some places. However, you can still see many structures within the caves in close to their original condition.
They both face east. So it’s best that you visit the Bedse caves early in the morning. The bright sunlight will help you see the interiors and carvings better. You shouldn’t miss the small stupa just outside the main cave on the right side.
Visiting the Bedse Caves
Luckily, it’s easy to reach the caves. Take the NH4 that travels to Mumbai from Pune. Take the road that goes to Pavana Dam once you have reached Kamshet. You will see the turn for Bedse around eight kilometers from Kamshet. The road isn’t that good from here. But it’s not too long. You will soon reach the Bedse village. You must walk from here for about half a kilometer to reach the caves.
The trip is certainly worth it. You might also want to visit the forts and other caves in the region
