Talaja Caves are a group of rock-cut caves at Talaja in  Bhavnagar district, Gujarat state.  Out of the 30 caves, around 15 to 20 are for storing water. These caves are cut out of isolated conical rocks. The lone Buddhist cave with some ornamentation is known as Ebhal Mandapa.

Of the 30 caves, 13 are Buddhist caves dating back to the 2nd century BC. On the facade of these caves, there are chaitya (prayer hall) windows. Unlike other Buddhist caves, the halls at the caves here are plain, with no carvings. The lone cave with some ornamentation is known as Ebhal Mandapa.  It has a large hall with four octagonal pillars.

These Buddhist caves belong to the era around 200 B.C. when Buddhist monks first came to the area. Fine carvings of Bodhisattva (a person on the path towards Buddhahood) can be found in these caves.

Some of the other caves are Jain caves or temples. They have cells and halls with Jain symbols, believed to have been built during the regime of Kshatrapas, between the second and third century AD.

Khodiad Mata Hindu temple is also there on the same hill.

There are no entry charges.

How Do I Go to Talaja Caves?

Gujrat State Highway 31 passes through Talaja town. You need to walk around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the top of the conical rocks, on which the caves are situated.

Palitana town is around 32 kilometers away.  The Bhavnagar town is about 52 kilometers from the caves. There are state government and private buses from both these towns to the cave area.

Rajkot City is around 195 kilometers away.  Ahmedabad, the capital city of Gujarat, is approximately 215 kilometers away from these caves.

Jamnagar, the petroleum refinery town, is around 285 kilometers from the caves. Surat Town is approximately 444 kilometers away from these caves.