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| Ellora Caves |
The world famous Ellora Caves, unlike Ajanta lay on the main road. Unlike Ajanta they were never discovered – because they were never lost. The rock cut work of the caves began somewhere in 300 AD and was completed by 1300 AD.
The Ellora Caves are divided into three categories, the Buddhist, the Hindu and the Jain. There are 13 Buddhist caves, 16 Brahminical or Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves, making a total 34.
Cave No.10, to begin with, is the only Chaitya cave or chapel among the whole lot. It is known as the Vishvakarma. This cave represented the highest form of Buddhist culture and spacious construction of monasteries. Dating back from 700 AD. It has the biggest Buddha engraved in the Stupa. It has a magnificent entrance and a gallery with a horseshoe shaped window on top and innumerable artistic carvings.
Other important Buddhist cave No.5 is the highest single Storeyed ‘Vihar’ having a hall 117 feet deep and there is a great variety in its architecture. No.12 is known as ‘Teen Thal’ because of its three storeys; it is the largest three storeyed ‘Vihar’ in India and stands out for the symmetry of its pillars. The sheer beauty, elegance, artistry and significance of each and every cave is admirable.
After the Buddhist, the next set of caves to be seen are the Hindu caves where the most surprising wonder is the greatest cave temple ‘Kailash’ (Cave No.16). It is said that 200000 tonnes of rock were excavated during the construction of this cave. The sheer rock, the back wall of the pit is over 100 feet high.
The gigantic pillars on either side attracts the visitor first, then the huge temple on the mighty shoulders of elephants, lions and other monsters, then the surrounding galleries, full of sculptured frames, the interior of the temples itself, the various chapels, the stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharta carved out of stone on either side of the temple.
This temple alone would take days to see in sufficient detail. It is impossible to conceive how workers with merely the chisel and the hammer could have wrought all this miracle in stone.
Nearest Railway Station : Aurangabad (C.R.)
Distance : Aurangabad to Ellora – 30 Kilometers
The Ellora Caves are divided into three categories, the Buddhist, the Hindu and the Jain. There are 13 Buddhist caves, 16 Brahminical or Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves, making a total 34.
Cave No.10, to begin with, is the only Chaitya cave or chapel among the whole lot. It is known as the Vishvakarma. This cave represented the highest form of Buddhist culture and spacious construction of monasteries. Dating back from 700 AD. It has the biggest Buddha engraved in the Stupa. It has a magnificent entrance and a gallery with a horseshoe shaped window on top and innumerable artistic carvings.
Other important Buddhist cave No.5 is the highest single Storeyed ‘Vihar’ having a hall 117 feet deep and there is a great variety in its architecture. No.12 is known as ‘Teen Thal’ because of its three storeys; it is the largest three storeyed ‘Vihar’ in India and stands out for the symmetry of its pillars. The sheer beauty, elegance, artistry and significance of each and every cave is admirable.
After the Buddhist, the next set of caves to be seen are the Hindu caves where the most surprising wonder is the greatest cave temple ‘Kailash’ (Cave No.16). It is said that 200000 tonnes of rock were excavated during the construction of this cave. The sheer rock, the back wall of the pit is over 100 feet high.
The gigantic pillars on either side attracts the visitor first, then the huge temple on the mighty shoulders of elephants, lions and other monsters, then the surrounding galleries, full of sculptured frames, the interior of the temples itself, the various chapels, the stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharta carved out of stone on either side of the temple.
This temple alone would take days to see in sufficient detail. It is impossible to conceive how workers with merely the chisel and the hammer could have wrought all this miracle in stone.
When to Go
Late autumn is best, with the region displaying its colors after the rainy season. From December to February the weather is still perfect : skies are blue, temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees. March is quite hot but still bearable. From then onward temperatures average 110-115°F. By June the monsoon has begun and lasts through September.How to get about ?
By bus, taxi, auto-rickshaws. There are regular ST bus services from Aurangabad to Ellora.Nearest Railway Station : Aurangabad (C.R.)
Distance : Aurangabad to Ellora – 30 Kilometers
