Buddhist Sites
-| Talaja | -
Location: District Bhavnagar (Gujrat) - Lat 21º 20'N, Long 72º
2'E
There are forty Buddhist caves excavated at different heights of a simple isolated
picturesque hill of western ghats , situated near the confluence of saterinji
and the Talaji , latter flowing past by it .The top of the hill , on which is
new has an extensive Jain settlement , affords a panaromic view of the surrounding
streches of arid plain land.The caves at Talaja are more or less contemporary
with the excavation at Sana and simple architectural feature .The apsidal chaitya
griha of sana is not found anywhere in Gujrat.The two caves ( 4 and 30 ) bear
a few carvings. Rockcut tanks with small mouth form a regular feature of this
establishment as well.
The lay out of the monasteries are like those of sama.They usually consists
of a few cells at the ball of the pillared verandha but there are evidences
of a few typical rock cut quadrangular monasteries.The cave 3 of is an example
of a quadrangular monastery with an open verandha with a bench , a long astylar
hall with specious double leafed door ,a bench on two sides and names of cellls.The
central cell of cave 19 on the near side has against its back wall a plain rock
cut pedestal probably for an object of worship now no more extent.
Cave 30 is a colossol hall approched by a long flight of steps with monostone
at the bottom .The pillars with square top octogonal shaft and facade of the
hall is relieved with a railings resting on a projected beam with ends of rafters.The
court in front of the hall is equally impressive and has benches along the sides.In
the right side wall of the court are excavated a landing and a verandha with
two cells at its back and third on the dexture.The hall was likely was used
as a Bhojana-mandapa (dinning hall).The simplicity of these caves with well
planned space for the each activity is worth seeing .These simple and suitably
located monastic complex in isolation away from the mandring crowd suitable
for meditation.
Talaja - Buddhist, Archaeology
in India
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