I've been off work for the last week...taking a much needed break.
Had the amazing experience of visiting the Karla Caves.
Now, these are rock-cut caves over 2000 years old, and would you believe it, some of the woodwork (thats at the top) there is still intact! Looking at some of the ancient inscriptions gave me goose bumps!
The picture is of the main prayer-hall (these are Buddhist caves) 
i'm a history freak - and it was super to be touching rock that was shaped so long ago.....
Most of the carvings are of couples in standing poses, and absolutely beautiful.
The entrance is grand, horse-shoe shaped...
there is also a temple right outside the main entrance, which has a steady stream of pilgrims. The caves seem to be an incidental attraction for them :-(
i dont know how the ASI allowed a temple to be built smack in front of the main cave's entrance.
The experience encouraged me to climb up to the Bhaja Caves right across Karla caves the next day. the climb is steeper but shorter here, and the caves are also on a smaller scale.
But boy, what took my breath away was not the climb! near the caves, , I just looked up, and in the distance I saw the walls of a fort high up on a mountain, looking very majestic, strong, and invincible...!
Looked a little to the right, and saw another fort..! this one just as lovely.
turned out these were the Visapur and Lohagad forts.
Lohagad is a 11km climb, and Visapur is even higher - have kept those for next time!!
the holiday was great because of these sights, but it also depressed me to see the neglect at such historical sights, and the general decay in Lonavala..the unbridled construction, the complete lack of concern shown by the visitors as well as local authorities towards atleast keeping things clean...it was shameful!
oh well..i dont know when we will learn to respect our ancient treasures...
next stop is ajanta/ellora..
