Karla Caves
Karla Caves
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Karla Caves
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
8 within 5 kms
Attractions
33 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- SandeshBangalore District, India5 contributionsRemarkable Buddhist Caves.The Buddhist caves are remarkable, carved inside a mountain , starting down to up. The carving and the height of the caves shows the dedication of Buddhist monks. A well marked script of Satvahanas is also available at spot in Pali language. As can be seen at every historical ancient place , one of the sculpture is coloured and dress as Devi Ekvira and worshipped by Hindus at present.Visited April 2023Travelled with familyWritten 10 March 2024
- Harsh & LeenaPune, India3,007 contributionsnice caves and good outing1. Ancient buddhist Indian rock at Karla is mesmerizing caves in Lonavala. These rock structures are beautiful and huge. 2. You have to climb to reach caves. At base you can park your vehicle. It takes 15-20 minutes to reach caves. You will feel proud of caves once you are there. 3. Network might be weak here and during summer it can get really hot, so take water so that you are not dehydrated. 4. Wear shoes which has grip and don’t wear slippers and take care of kids. 5. These caves are 60 km form Pune.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 June 2024
- Surya KatakamHyderabad, India2,273 contributionsAncient Complex Indian Buddhist Rock CavesKarla Caves are one of the famous tourist destination in Lonavala. Tourists has to climb around 350 steps to reach this destination. These are complex Buddhist rock cut cave shrines located just besides Ekvira Devi temple. It's believed that these caves are developed over the period from the 2nd century to the 5th Century, which are belongs to the Satavahanas period. Today these caves are protected by Archaeological Survey of India. Interesting Facts about Karla Caves: 1. It is believed that Karla Caves location in Maharashtra marks the division between North India and South India. 2. These are the oldest caves of Maharashtra. 3. These Buddhist caves were divided in Chaityas and Viharas. Chaityas were mainly used for worship and meditation. Viharas were the living areas of the monks, where the central hall was cut into walls to make rooms. 4. Karla Caves complex consists of 16 rock cut monuments. Cave 8 is the Chaityagriha which is the most prominent and dominates the other caves.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 26 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
645 reviews
Excellent
174
Very good
273
Average
165
Poor
24
Terrible
9
sushant singh
Kalyan, India105 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Karla caves is one of the most popular place to visit, if you go to Lonavala. Karla caves also have temple of goddess Durga. It's is Also one of the most visited temple in Maharashtra, during Navratri. Temple can be visiting through train or by road.
Written 24 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JTreloar
Sydney, Australia133 contributions
Jan 2020
We were in Lonavala and wanted to head to the Karla caves. Being adventurous, we took an auto rickshaw (the most modern we could find) and roared up to the caves. The ride up was half the fun of the trip to the caves. It is worth doing if fit as there are some 200 plus steps up and down. There are places to stop for food and drink on the way and also many stores with religious bits and pieces. The caves are stunning. The whole temple is carved from the hill side. Worth a visit.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T Tenzin
Mumbai, India39 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
These are near Malavli railway station, District Pune. The main cave with the stupa has wooden rafters on its ceiling. There is Ekvira Temple at the entrance of one of the caves. The steps leading to the caves are lined with shops on either side. There are lot of visitors to the temple situated here.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harsh & Leena
Pune, India3,007 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
1. Ancient buddhist Indian rock at Karla is mesmerizing caves in Lonavala. These rock structures are beautiful and huge.
2. You have to climb to reach caves. At base you can park your vehicle. It takes 15-20 minutes to reach caves. You will feel proud of caves once you are there.
3. Network might be weak here and during summer it can get really hot, so take water so that you are not dehydrated.
4. Wear shoes which has grip and don’t wear slippers and take care of kids.
5. These caves are 60 km form Pune.
2. You have to climb to reach caves. At base you can park your vehicle. It takes 15-20 minutes to reach caves. You will feel proud of caves once you are there.
3. Network might be weak here and during summer it can get really hot, so take water so that you are not dehydrated.
4. Wear shoes which has grip and don’t wear slippers and take care of kids.
5. These caves are 60 km form Pune.
Written 26 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tapan B
Colchester, UK103 contributions
Feb 2023
Exciting experience. Curved in pre Christ period , huge and mind blowing. Enjoyed every moment of it. There are many caves in whole of Maharastra ,this cave is similar to Ananta Ellora .
Worth visiting .
Worth visiting .
Written 7 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alok Singh
Pune, India51 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Very Good Place to visit although it required thousands of stairs to climb over, which may make you feel exhausted. But after arriving there, specially in main cave, you will feels cool and calm.Main cave consists of Bauddh Chaitya and pillars on which some ancient language is written, and on top of which some statutes are showing brilliant example of arts of that era. Other than main cave there are some small room type architectures in which Bauddh were supposed to live. Ticket charge is 15 Rs only.
So overall a nice place. Parking is available but you have to pay for that.
So overall a nice place. Parking is available but you have to pay for that.
Written 10 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDatta
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India21 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
Located over a Hill Top, this is more of a remote location. Remember unless you carry cash there is very chance that the only ATM at nearby village will show some anomaly. From Lonavla to Karla say 10 -12 kms there are no ATMs . Ekvira Temple is located just out side the Caves , maintained by ASI , theses are old Buddhist caves will stupa, pillars and tell tale signs of some glorious past. Not maintained well..bhoja caves are also nearby... Yes there is lot of climbing on stairs , people with ailments be aware
On route there are many resorts , best one though I found was Kinara Village. This is village theme based multi cuisine resort . Good for family especially kids would enjoy. I stayed at MTDC resort , this is good property besides atmatullya ayurvedic village. Nice for people looking for greenery, riverside and some solitude ..nice break.. I found this better than average accommodations at Lonavla...with exceptions of upper deck or fariyas..!! Make it base, hire a guide if you have own vehicle , though you would also get ricks outside the MTDC resort .. Overall nice place to venture at monsoon time, I however travelled in March-April, -2015.
Hope this helps travellers
On route there are many resorts , best one though I found was Kinara Village. This is village theme based multi cuisine resort . Good for family especially kids would enjoy. I stayed at MTDC resort , this is good property besides atmatullya ayurvedic village. Nice for people looking for greenery, riverside and some solitude ..nice break.. I found this better than average accommodations at Lonavla...with exceptions of upper deck or fariyas..!! Make it base, hire a guide if you have own vehicle , though you would also get ricks outside the MTDC resort .. Overall nice place to venture at monsoon time, I however travelled in March-April, -2015.
Hope this helps travellers
Written 3 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esra Z
around the world71 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
You should climb up around 350 steps.
You should feel the energy of to caves: So positive, strong, deep...
You should watch dance of light through the sun windows.
The most impressive cave temple in the maharashtra.
Your visit might me beginning of your spiritual journey.
P.S : Don’t visit the caves on the weekends.
You should feel the energy of to caves: So positive, strong, deep...
You should watch dance of light through the sun windows.
The most impressive cave temple in the maharashtra.
Your visit might me beginning of your spiritual journey.
P.S : Don’t visit the caves on the weekends.
Written 3 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suganandan P
Mumbai, India249 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
It's a historic place which can be good tourist attraction if taken proper care by the people in charge. This place needs to be maintained well.
Written 10 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZeeSoh
Mumbai, India230 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
It is a good place to visit if you want to have a nice trek and get a good viewing point of the surrounding hills and valleys.
To get to the place you have to climb a LOT of steps so be prepared. Once at the top you are free to explore the temples and various caverns. The best time to visit would be during the monsoon and winter when the weather is lovely.
Make sure to stock up on water and snack as food is hard to come by when you are up
To get to the place you have to climb a LOT of steps so be prepared. Once at the top you are free to explore the temples and various caverns. The best time to visit would be during the monsoon and winter when the weather is lovely.
Make sure to stock up on water and snack as food is hard to come by when you are up
Written 9 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
what is ticket charges for Karla caves? Is there camera allowed if allowed then is there charge for it?
Written 19 January 2018
MSTC has a outlet at the gate, they charge 20₹ per head for entry and 40₹ for entry to take pics
Written 19 May 2018
Sooty can go up to the car park by road. After that the steps start and one had to walk.
Written 17 September 2017
Parking cost is INR 10/- they take some tourist charge of INR 30/- and then upstairs they charge something around 15 for museum visit.
Written 14 August 2017
pavan252525
Hyderabad, India
Can we reach Karla caves by car , or we have to walk compulsory, how many steps approximately.
Written 3 July 2017
From highway you need to divert and after 2 km you will have to drive over hill for 1 km. Post parking the vehicle it would be 180 steps to reach the Karla Caves. Steps are similar to Vaishno Devi shrine or a bit more steeper.
Written 4 July 2017
You can go halfway by car or bike and there's a pay n park. From there you need to take a flight of stairs about 250-300 stairs walking.
Written 26 June 2017
well, to start with, travel from malavli railway station to lonavala and from there, you should take a personal auto instead of a bus or sharing auto as they would drop you at the entrance and from there you would have to walk a few kms to reach karla caves. if you are planning to visit other places then book an auto for the entire day and bargain reasonably.
Written 15 April 2017
So visitors are not allowed to ENTER the caves and look at the stupa etc??
Written 19 August 2015
Yes you can enter the caves and halls with stupas at both Karla & Bhaja Caves and have magnificient view of the pillar rows on both sides. On both sides there are 3 storey vihars (hostels) of the monks where you can see their accommodations. At some locations you are allowed to go upto 1st floor while at other places the stairs are blocked. Just beside cave in left of Entrance is Ekvira Devi Temple. Going furthur there is a circular meditation hall where you can try chanting 'AUM' and experience eco from cave falling on you.
Written 8 September 2015
Showing results 1-9 of 9
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing