Bedse - Maharashtra - India

Bedse Caves which is also popularly known as Bedsa Caves is a 2300 year old Buddhist monument and is considered to be one of the oldest caves in the state of Maharashtra and is located in the Maval taluk of Pune district.

Most interesting cave is chaitya (prayer hall) with exquisite stupa in it almost reaching the ceiling. Both sides of the main hall are flanked by octagonal columns. Five columns are adorned with simple ornaments. Several ancient inscriptions are left by the benefactors of caves. Entrance in the cave is adorned with two round pillars and two semi-columns, each of them has beautiful sculptural groups on cap  humans or deities riding animals  e.g. horse, bull, elephant. The vaulted ceiling of chaitya is simple and bare unlike to later temples.

The other large cave chamber is vihara  monastery  with nine smaller cells for early Buddhist monks Bhiku. Monks stayed here mostly during the monsoon  for some 4 months every year. Thus caves got their earlier name  Vasha Viharas  rain caves.

Both caves are facing eastwards so it is recommended to visit the caves early morning, as in sunlight the beauty of carvings is enhanced. There is also a small "Stupa" outside to the right of the main caves. 

Also close to the Bedse caves are the famous foursome of Lohagad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona forts adjoining the Pawana Dam.

The best time to visit Bedse Caves is the rainy season as the hills are filled with lush greenery during that time. Also many small waterfalls are created that can only be enjoyed during the rainy season. As this is one of the lesser known spots, not many tourists throng the place, so makes it easy to enjoy the views.

How to Reach

By Air

The Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai is the nearest airport which is 110 km from Kamshet. Pune domestic airport is 60 km away from Kamshet.

By Road

Bede caves are located at about 54 kms distance from Pune and it takes around 1 hr 27 mins to reach Bedse caves from Pune. Bedse caves have the way which passes near from Kamshet. From Kamshet, one has to take the road that goes to Pavananagar or Pavana Dam. The straight road of around 7-9 kms from there goes to the turn towards Bedse.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Pune. Since Pune is one of the major cities in Maharashtra, it is well connected to the other major cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, Delhi, Ahmedabad etc by rail. After getting down to Pune railway station, onw may hire car to reach to the Bedse caves.