Ajanta & Ellora Caves

Do not applaud me. It is not I who speaks to you, but history which is narrating the legends of the glorious past.

Location – Near the city of Aurangabad, Maharastra
Best Time To visit – Favourable Throughout the year

One of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage, the Ajanta and Ellora caves are located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharastra. The 34 caves at Ellora and 29 caves at Ajanta are no less than a hidden sanctuary .In fact Ajanta Caves have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Hand crafted caves have always remained popular in India but these caves are the most elaborate and varied examples known. These caves were the brainchild of generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks.
Ajanta Caves
The rock cut caves of Ajanta are located about 104 km from the city of Aurangabad. The caves are 29 in number and belong to the period of 2nd century BC to 6th Century AD. These caves are highly influenced by the religion of Buddhism as the same religion prevailed at time. The caves somehow got buried under the debris in the jungle clad slopes. It was only in 1819 that a British cavalry officer named John Smith discovered them while he was on a hunting expedition.

The Caves in View
The caves of Ajanta are beautifully and intricately carved. The caves, some of them unfinished, are of two basic designs called 'Chaitya grihas' and 'Viharas'. Five of the caves (9,10, 26,29) are Chaityas (Buddhist cathedrals) while the other 25 are Viharas (monasteries). The natural gallery of the caves is home to some of India's most sophisticated and ancient paintings. Most of the paintings are of Gupta and post -Gupta style.

Ellora Caves
Located at about 30 km from the city of Aurangabad, this ancient village of Ellora is famous worldwide for its spectacular monumental caves. The caves are the true witness of the great craftsmanship of the artists of that era and are the symbol of Indian rock cut architecture. Locally the Ellora Caves are called as Verul Leni. They were discovered soon after the discovery of the Ajanta Caves.There are about 34 monastic caves in Ellora in which 12 are Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves. The caves built in proximity showcase the religious tolerance prevalent during that period. All the caves here face the west and can be seen best in the afternoon.

The Caves in View
Cave numbers 1-12 are the Buddhist Caves. They are the oldest caves dating back to 500- 750 AD. The Hindu caves , numbered 14 -29 date between 600 and 870 AD. Unfortunately the oldest cave 13 is in ruins. The Jain Caves, numbered 30-34 date back to 800 AD and late 10th century AD. Most of the caves face towards the east.
Buddhist caves - Most of the Buddhist caves at Ellora consist of Viharas or monasteries. The Viharas are multi-storeyed buildings carved into the mountain face, including living quarters, sleeping quarters, kitchens, etc. The most famous Buddhist cave is cave number 10.
Hindu Caves - Many of the temples of Ellora are intricately designed with proper planning and co ordination. The focal point of Ellora is the Kailasa or Kailashanatha Temple. The Kailashanatha temple is a true example of the Dravidian art.
Jain Caves - The Jain Caves demonstrates a strict sense of asceticism and are not as large as the Buddhist or Hindu caves. An interesting example of this is the 32nd cave, a shrine with a very fine carving of the lotus flower on the ceiling. An important thing about the Jain caves is that almost all the Jain caves are characterized by intricate detailing. Many of the structures had rich paintings in the ceilings.
Accessibility
By Air : The nearest airport from these caves is situated in Aurangabad (15 kms). It is a domestic airport.
By Rail : Aurangabad is the nearest railway station on South Central Railway Line.
By Road : Aurangabad is well connected by road. To reach Ellora Caves tourists should take a taxi from Aurangabad. State buses run from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore and Bijapur to Aurangabad