Tulja Buddhist Caves

Tulja Caves (Tulja Lena) are a group of 11 rock-cut Buddhist caves located about 3 km west of Junnar in Maharashtra, part of a cluster of over 200 Buddhist caves in the Junnar hills. Dating from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, the caves belong to the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. The most notable feature is a circular chaitya hall with twelve octagonal pillars surrounding a central stupa, topped by a dome. Historians believe the caves were carved during the time of Emperor Ashoka. A later Hindu shrine to Goddess Tulja was built in one of the abandoned caves, giving the site its current name.