Located in the vicinity of the second major 'IT Hub of India' - Pune, Bhaje caves have a long and rich history behind them. The caves belong to the Theravada (Hinayana) tradition of Buddhism and are amongst the oldest in Western India. They are approx 400 ft above the village of Bhaja, used as an important ancient trading route that ran from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan plateau. This route is the 'Bhor Ghat', a strategic mountain pass that connects the Deccan to the ports of the Konkan coast. The sole 'Chaityagriha' (prayer hall) at this site is considered extraordinary in comparison to any site. It is one of the earliest rock-cut chaitya griha in Maharashtra.It has 27 pillars around the hall with wooden beams fixed on its ceiling. The cave had a horseshoe arched entrance with a wooden facade. Apart from this Chaityagriha, the complex of Bhaja caves is full of rock-cut Vihara and Stupas. Viharas (monasteries) here show simplicity at its best. Only one such vihara here has some architectural decoration. Yet, along with this simplicity, there are Viharas which are double storied. 14 rock-cut stupas contain the relics of teachers who lived and died here. They are built as memorials for them. A vihara at the other end of the site houses the sculptural masterpieces of the early art of the Deccan.There are two panels carved on the call of the verandah adjacent to a door depicting an elephant rider and a chariot rider with their consorts. These panels have been identified by some of the scholars as Surya (The Sun god) and Indra (The kings of Gods). The verandah is decorated with few other sculptural panels as attendants and few narrative scenes.