These caves are situated near the hill station Lonavala and in the vicinity of the Lohagad-Visapur forts midway between the cities of Pune & Mumbai.

Bhaja Caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2^nd century BC. The Caves are situated on an important ancient trade route running from Arabian Sea estuary to the Deccan Plateau. This is a Monument of National Importance protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. It belongs to The Hinayana Buddhism Sect in Maharashtra.

The Bhaja Caves are similar to the Karla Caves in style and architectural designs. The most prominent among the excavations is the Chaityagriha (prayer hall) (Cave 12). The chaityagriha is considered to be the earliest of its kind. It consists of a large apsidal hall and is divided into a central nave and side aisles by 27 pillars. The ceiling of the nave is vaulted and original wooden beams are fixed. Chaitya contains stupa at its far end with a hole in the top for wooden umbrella.

Bedse Caves are situated some 20 kilometers from Bhaja Caves. Its history can be traced back to the Satavahana Period in the 1st century BCE.

There are two main caves. The best known cave is the Chaitya (Prayer hall cave-7) with a comparatively large stupa. The other cave is the monastery or Vihara (Cave 11). They are marked by a profusion of decorative gavaksha or chaitya arch motifs.

Situated around 7 kms from Bhaja, the Karla Caves were constructed between the 2nd century AD and 5th century AD. These well-known Buddhists rock-cut caves have one of the largest Chaityagrihas (prayer hall with a stupa inside) in India. There are gorgeous sculptures on the pillars of the Chityagriha as well as the Verandah. These 15 caves are known for detailed inscriptions as well. There is also temple of goddess Ekvira in this complex.