Bedse Caves

The Bedse, or Bedsa, caves are Buddhist rock-cut monuments in Maval taluka, Pune district, and were cut in the 1st century BCE under the Satavahanas. They lie about 9 kilometres from the Bhaja caves, in the same area as Karla. There are two main caves, both decorated with many gavaksha, or chaitya arch, motifs.

A long, narrow passage through the rock leads to Cave 7, the chaitya hall. Its veranda has four elaborate pillars topped by pairs of animals with riders, and the side walls are carved with arches and railing patterns. The hall itself is plain, with octagonal columns, and its roof ribs were real wood and have been lost. An inscription records a gift by Pushyanka, son of Ananda Sethi of Nashik. Cave 11, the vihara, is unusual for its apsidal, vaulted main chamber ringed by nine cell doors.