The world famous Ellora cave temples are located 30 kilometers from Aurangabad. Thanks to their well-preserved condition and amazing size, the caves attract tourists from all over the world. It is the cave temples of Ellora and Ajanta that fill the hotels in the city of Aurangabad to capacity.
The caves at Ellora can compete with such recognized wonders of the world as the Egyptian pyramids, Cambodian Angkor Wat, etc. The entire cave complex, consisting of 34 caves, is listed by UNESCO and is zealously protected by this respected organization.
All cave temples in Ellora can be divided into several groups: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and separately from all the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16). For the convenience of tourists, all caves are numbered and have information signs (in English), so there should be no problems finding the necessary caves.
History of Ellora Caves
Scientific discussions are constantly ongoing on the origin and feasibility of building cave temples, and today there are several theories about why ordinary mortals gnawed such beauties out of the rock.
It is believed that the cave temples of Ellora were built along a major trade route, and in close proximity to today's Daulatabad, in the vicinity of which there are also Buddhist caves. Successful merchants donated part of their profits to the construction of temples, which could only contribute to the prosperity of their trade.
The fact of tolerance is surprising, because the three beliefs lived well side by side and led economic activity, so some caves were originally intended for one religious branch and could easily be rebuilt to suit the needs of another religion and no one fought.
There are a total of 34 caves in Ellora, 12 Buddhist caves built between 600 and 800 AD, 17 Hindu caves built between 600 and 900 AD. and only 5 Jain ones, built between 800 and 1000 AD.
If we look deeper into history, Ellora clearly demonstrates the period of the revival of Hinduism during the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties, followed by the decline of Buddhism in India. What is characteristic is the Jain temples in Ellora, there are only 5 of them, but there could have been much more, because the authorities actively supported this religious trend.
All caves on the territory of the complex are numbered, numbering starts from the south side (Buddhist caves), the first cave numbers are located according to right side from the Kailash temple, which is immediately opposite the entrance.
The most grandiose building in Ellora is the Kailash Temple - an imitation of Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, where, according to legend, the god Shiva lives. Photos of the unique Kailash Temple can be found in any travel guide to India, but the temple is even more impressive in person.
12 Buddhist caves are located south of the Kailasa temple and many of them look very simple and do not inspire admiration, but cave number 10 stands out, it is considered the most beautiful Buddhist cave in all of India. Be sure to visit cave number 10.
Hindu caves are so emotional (for example, the Kailasa temple) that you can immediately distinguish them from all the others. Another one distinguishing feature Hindu caves - the presence of phallic lingas, characteristic features presence of the god Shiva. Most of the Hindu caves at Ellora were carved from top to bottom, so the ancient builders did not use any scaffolding.
If you want to better understand the history of the ruling dynasties and religious cults of the country, preserved architectural monuments that clearly tell about the greatness of ancient empires will help you do this. Of course, one of the most important monuments ancient history are the cave temples of India that have served as a refuge and main center of learning for followers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism since the beginning of our era.
The most famous and well-preserved cave temples are located in the state of Maharashtra near the city of Aurangabad, the ancient capital of the Mughal Empire. Long before the arrival of the Mongol conquerors, this region was a center for the development of trade and religion. Ancient trade routes passed through the Deccan plains, and pilgrims found refuge in caves that were converted into spiritual abodes.
I want to talk about the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora - true diamonds of ancient Indian art and architecture. Even at the beginning of our era, there were trade routes along the territory of the Deccan Plateau (the modern state of Maharashtra); the first Buddhist ascetics walked along with the traders, bringing their faith to the territory of southern India.
To escape the seasonal rains and scorching sun, travelers needed shelters. The construction of monasteries and temples is a long and expensive undertaking, so the first pilgrims chose caves in the rocky mountains as their refuge, which provided coolness and heat and remained dry during the rainy season.
The first Buddhist caves were carved in the 2nd century BC, then they were simple and uncomplicated shelters. Later, at the turn of the 4th-6th centuries, the cave temple complexes grew into huge monastic cities where hundreds of monks lived, and the caves turned into three-story monasteries, skillfully decorated with sculptures and wall paintings.
IN cave cities Ajanta and Ellora were successively followed by three religions - Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Now on the territory of the complexes you can see ancient statues and wall paintings of these three religions. Thus, the first inhabitants of the cave cities were Buddhists, then Hindus came, and the last to be cut out were Jain temples, although it is possible that followers of all religions coexisted here at the same time, creating a tolerant religious society in the middle of the first millennium.
Cave temple complex Ajanta is located 100 kilometers from the city of Aurangabad, it is located in the bed of the Waghore River and was logged from the 2nd century BC to the mid-7th century AD. Over the centuries, ancient sculptors methodically excavated the soil from the basalt rock, and the interior of the caves was decorated with elegant sculptures and frescoes.
At the end of the 5th century, the Harishena dynasty, which was the main sponsor of the construction of the caves, fell, and the complex was gradually abandoned. The monks left their secluded monastery, and local residents gradually they forgot about the existence of cave temples. The jungle has swallowed up the caves, sealing the entrances with a thick layer of vegetation. An artificial microclimate was formed in the caves, which has preserved to this day the frescoes of the beginning of the first millennium, which have no analogues not only in India, but throughout the world. Thus, the caves have brought the beauty of ancient masters to the present day.
The complex was discovered by British army officer John Smith in 1819 while hunting a tiger. From the opposite bank of the Waghor River, he saw the arch of the entrance to cave No. 10.
It is now one of the most famous landmarks in central India. On this moment in the complex you can visit 28 caves belonging to the Buddhist tradition. In caves 1,2,9,11,16,17, ancient frescoes have been preserved, and in caves 9,10,19,26 you will see elegant Buddhist sculpture.
Some caves served as places for rituals and group prayers, called chatyas, or meeting halls; others served as habitats for monks, called viharas, or monasteries. The caves have different layouts and decorations.
Some caves are under development; these examples clearly show how the construction of the complex took place. From the opposite bank of the Waghor River there is a beautiful view of the entire complex; the scale of the complex is truly impressive.
Previously, each cave had its own personal descent to the river to collect drinking water; a system for storing rainwater and water flow during the monsoon was developed. The walls of most caves were painted with detailed frescoes, the secret of which has not yet been solved. Some well-preserved areas convince us of high level the mastery of ancient painters, and the forgotten history and customs of those centuries appear before your eyes.
Of course, visiting the Ajanta cave temples will create one of the most interesting experiences in India, but it will not be complete without visiting the Ellora complex, which is located nearby. Despite the fact that both complexes are similar in idea, they are completely different in execution.
The cave temple complex of Ellora, located 30 kilometers from Aurangabad, was cut down between the 5th and 11th centuries and has 34 caves, 12 of which are Buddhist (1-12), 17 Hindu caves (13-29) and 5 Jain caves (30 -34), cut down in chronological order.
If the Ajanta complex is famous for its frescoes, then in the 34 caves of the Ellora temple complex it is certainly sculpture. Ellora acquired its true dawn with the withering of Ajanta; apparently most of the monks and masters moved here starting from the 6th century AD. In Ellora, the viewer is shocked by the scale of the buildings; for example, some caves are three-story “viharas” - monasteries where up to several hundred monks could live. Of course, such a scale is amazing, especially considering that the construction dates date back to the 5th-7th centuries AD.
But the true pearl of the complex is the Kailasanath Temple (Lord of Kailasa), or cave No. 16. This 30-meter high temple was carved over 100 years during the eighth century. For its construction, 400,000 tons of basalt rock were extracted, and not a single part was brought into the temple from the outside, everything was cut out of the basalt rock from top to bottom, like on a modern 3-D printer.
Of course, nothing like this simply exists in India. This masterpiece of ancient architecture is on a par with the temples in Cambodia, Java and the temple complex in Burma, only it was built almost a millennium earlier.
The temple is an allegory of the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet, where, according to legend, Lord Shiva meditated. Previously, the entire temple was covered with white plaster to resemble the snow-capped peak of Kailash, all the sculptures were skillfully painted with colors, the details of which can still be seen, many galleries of the temple are decorated with detailed stone carvings. To understand the greatness of the Kailasanath Temple, you need to see it with your own eyes; photographs can hardly convey its grandeur and beauty.
The Ajanta and Ellora temples attract many tourists from India and all over the world. During holidays, the temples can get quite crowded, and to better understand the history in stone, it is recommended to take a tour accompanied by a guide. It is better to choose the city of Aurangabad as a base for visiting the temples; there are many hotels for every taste and budget; you can get here by train, plane or bus from Mumbai or Goa.
A visit to the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora is undoubtedly one of the most vivid and memorable impressions of India. A trip to Aurangabad can easily be completed in three days; visiting the cave temples will be a great addition to your holiday on the beaches of Goa.
Address: India, from 30 km. from Aurangabad, Ellora village
Creation: from 6th to 9th century AD
Number of caves: 34 pcs.
Coordinates: 20°01"21.5"N 75°10"45.1"E
Mysterious and, one might even say, mystical India with its huge number of unique historical and architectural monuments, most interesting culture and numerous religious cults attracted the attention of travelers and traders even in ancient times.
Any scientist who tries to highlight the most interesting and significant sights of this densely populated country will be faced with a rather difficult task: it is too diverse and even multifaceted. the most ancient state of our planet. One of the most interesting places(“one of”, not the most) of India is, of course, the Ellora Caves. They are located in the state of Maharashtra, and along with such monuments as the Egyptian pyramids, Mayan sanctuaries and Stonehenge are still the subject of debate among scientists. Even in our time, it is almost impossible to explain how such huge complexes were built in ancient centuries.
This mystery, as well as stunning sculptures, temples, and a mysterious atmosphere permeating this entire slightly gloomy and even frightening place, made the Ellora caves unique “ business card» India. One has only to imagine that in the dark caves there are 34 temples belonging to three religious cults, the question immediately arises: how the ancient masters, without having ultra-modern tools at hand, could create such a magnificent and huge miracle. It is worth noting that there are quite a lot of miracles in the Ellora caves, it is simply believed that all 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist and 5 Janai temples are one complex. On the List World Heritage UNESCO describes the caves of Ellora, and not each individual temple.
By the way, at the top of the Kailasa mountains there is another huge temple - a Shaivite one, it is called Kailasanatha. It is also classified as part of the Ellora cave complex. So, according to the legends of the ancient Hindus, it is believed that this particular temple leads to heaven, and it is in it that Shiva himself lives. This sanctuary is carved from a monolithic rock and decorated with carvings, the beauty of which is almost impossible to describe in words: perhaps even a huge construction company, possessing the most cutting-edge instruments.
By the way, Kailasanatha was made under the guidance of a person, and not of a god or a representative of an alien civilization. This is evidenced by a copper tablet found in one of the hiding places of the Shaivite temple. It reads something like this: “Oh, Great Shiva, how did I manage to build such a miracle without magic?” After deciphering the master’s address to the god Shiva, it becomes clear that Kailasanatha was built by the most ordinary people. How then, in ancient times, was it possible to literally carve out this temple? Unfortunately, there is no answer to this question yet: there are assumptions by archaeologists, builders and architects, but they remain only theories that have yet to be explained to our descendants. At the moment, one can only be amazed at the work of the ancient masters who showed the world one of the most significant wonders of India - the mysterious Ellora caves.
Ellora Caves: construction and history
At the beginning of this section, it should be emphasized once again that no confirmed versions of how exactly the Ellora caves were built have yet been put forward by scientists. There are only theories and very few facts indicating at what time 34 temples were carved into the rock. According to some ancient manuscripts and copper tablets, it can be argued that the legendary Indian caves of Ellora began to decorate and build temples in them around the middle of the 6th century AD. All work was completed only in the 9th century.
Most scholars who study the history and culture of India insist that the temples in this place were built for a reason: it was here that the largest trade route passed in ancient times. What do religious cults have to do with trade? The answer to this question may seem too simple and even banal: “The most direct!” The thing is that India in ancient centuries conducted uninterrupted trade: its goods were extremely highly valued in other countries. Many merchants and maharajas were extremely wealthy people. They donated a certain part of their income to the construction of religious temples and the erection of sculptures in the caves of Ellora. There was no need to send gold, which was used to pay for the work of ancient skilled craftsmen, far. Temples were built right along the trade route, in the place where most transactions were concluded.
If you carefully study the history of India, you can understand why Hindu temples predominate in the Ellora Caves. From the middle of the 6th century AD, Buddhism began to be replaced by Hinduism in most of the country. Archaeologists have excavated and studied the age of temples in the Ellora cave complex only in Once again prove that Buddhist temples were carved first, and only then Hindu ones. In the 8th century, a huge Kailasanatha temple was built, and by the end of the 10th century, five Jain temples were carved out. By and large, the Ellora Caves are a kind of history textbook, telling through temples and sculptures about the religious cults that arose in India at one time or another.
For the convenience of scientists, guides and tourists, all Ellora caves are numbered in the order of their construction.. Below, the material will describe the most interesting temples and the most interesting sculptures of one of the main attractions of India. Naturally, it will be most convenient to describe them by numbers, but first of all, you should still focus on the monolithic (!) Kailasanatha Temple, located at the top of the Kailasa Mountains. The point is that this is the largest and most interesting temple, which is why we will talk about it first. True, as mentioned above, it was carved into basalt rock already in the 8th century, after the appearance of Buddhist temples in the Ellora caves.
Kailasanatha Temple: “Top of the World”
The highest cave temple of Kailasanatha was created by craftsmen at the direction of the Indian Raja, who was part of the legendary Rashtrakuta family. Modern architects they claim that this sanctuary was built according to a plan that was verified to the smallest detail. Historians who have studied ancient documents that have survived to this day say: “The Kailasanatha Temple was of utmost importance: it was the gateway to heaven and represented an intermediate link between man and higher powers.” They began to cut it into the rock from top to bottom, gradually giving it shape from the sides. This method in construction is unique and has not been used anywhere else. At the top, workers dug a deep trench in the stone, which would allow carvers from all sides to create passages into huge halls. At the same time, craftsmen carved out the roof of the “top of the world” from above. From this we can conclude that initially a kind of well was dug, and only then all the work was carried out in it.
If you look at architectural elements Kailasanatha Temple, one can even assume that its style is reminiscent of Dravidian. True, it only reminds... The huge sanctuary, whose height is 30 meters, width 33 meters, and length 61 meters, is unique in its kind. Both its plan and construction method are unique. At the very beginning of the material it was said that it is not yet possible to explain, thanks to what technologies it was possible to carve Kailasanatha into the rock. Calculations by modern experts shed light on the difficulties that ancient workers had to face in the 8th century. To completely complete the construction of the temple, which was dedicated to Shiva, more than 400,000 tons (!) of rock had to be hollowed out and removed from the site. It is even impossible to imagine how many people were involved in the construction of the “top of the world.”
Kailasanatha, according to the architect's plan, was divided into three parts. In addition to these three parts, you can count a huge number of additional rooms, each of which is dedicated to a specific deity. In the temple you can see a sculpture of Shiva himself, a multi-armed demon named Ravan, who, according to the cult, was the ruler of all dark forces. If you carefully examine the entire sanctuary, which, by the way, can take several hours, you can even conclude without the help of a guide: the temple was built for a long time and conscientiously. Not a single smooth surface: all the walls at Kailasanatha are covered with patterns that, upon closer inspection, appear three-dimensional. Just look at the figures of sacred lions and elephants, made by sculptors with attention to the smallest details.
The Indian temple of Kailasanatha, even if you look at its facade, fascinates and puts the traveler who was brought to India into a state of silent stupor. It is a particularly magical sight at sunset. As soon as the sun goes down to the horizon and many shadows appear from the carved figures, it seems that they are about to come to life and begin to offer prayers to Shiva. This visual effect is not accidental: most likely it was carefully thought out and brought to life by an unknown architect. The fact that it was one person has already been proven thanks to a copper tablet found in an ancient cache. But his name is still reliably hidden by the veil of time. It will not be possible to describe in words all the decorative elements of the temple in one material: moreover, it is even almost impossible to collect photos of Kailasanath on one page, which would give a complete picture of all the splendor of this Shaivite sanctuary.
Buddhist temples in Ellora Caves
Buddhist caves are designated in many guidebooks as numbers 1-12. Each number of caves is, as mentioned above, a kind of temple. However, if you carefully study all of them in order, the conclusion suggests itself that these are not separate sanctuaries, but a temple complex. Eg, Ellora caves number 1 and 5 are the most common cells for monks where they rested after have a hard day spent in work, prayer and meditation. Buddhist cave number 2, in which you can still see sculptures of the keeper of earthly treasures and the patroness of children, was most likely used by the monks for long meditations. If we try to highlight one of the most interesting caves in which the Buddha was worshiped, then it would probably be cave number 6. It is in it that the figures of the Buddha and his disciples, Tara and the goddess Mahamayuri, who in Buddhism patronizes learning, are best preserved to this day .
Cave number 11 is of particular interest. Until 1876, no one knew that it also had a third tier, which for some unknown reason was skillfully disguised by builders or Buddhist monks. No one doubts that the “eleventh” cave was undergoing reconstruction. After the Buddhists abandoned it, they tried to convert the cave into a Hindu temple. However, for unknown reasons, the Buddha statues remained in their places, only on the back wall were images of the deities Ganesha and Durga. These two representatives higher powers belong to the Hindu religion.
Ellora Caves: Hindu Temples
There are the most Hindu caves in the Ellora temple complex: 17. They are numbered from 13 to 29. They are surprisingly similar to Buddhist caves, among them there are cells for monks, halls for meditation, communication with the god Shiva and refectories. The main difference is that among the numerous sculptures you will not find Buddha: most often in the Hindu caves of Ellora there are images of Shiva and other deities belonging to this cult. It is simply not possible to describe all the caves built before the end of the 8th century, each of which is unique in its own way. The main thing that will be interesting to know for a tourist who is going to visit the largest and most interesting temple complex on our planet is that the number of Hindu temples includes the legendary “roof of the world” Kailasanatha. It, like all Ellora caves, has its own number - 16. Most tourists who come to this mysterious and mysterious place, immediately head to “number sixteen”.
The “roof of the world” in India was described in more or less detail in the middle of the material. However, in this subsection, I would like to add that according to the assurances of local guides, who are getting their information from nowhere, the construction of cave No. 16 lasted a century and a half, and more than 7,000 people took part in its carving. This statement cannot be taken seriously; the point is that 7,000 people (three generations) simply could not have time to cut and remove 400,000 tons of rock in a century and a half: and that’s not counting huge amount patterns and sculptures for which Kailasanatha is famous throughout the world.
Jain caves of Ellora
Five caves numbered 30 to 34, in which the Jain cult flourished for a short period of time, pale before the grandeur of Hindu and Buddhist temples. Only cave number 32 may be of interest to a tourist. In it, one can get an idea of Gomateshvara, a Jain religious cult, and the importance it placed on meditation. It preserves a completely naked sculpture of a deity in a state of deep meditation. So deep that time has no power over it: the dangling legs are entangled in vines, and under the sculpture itself images of scorpions, snakes and even animals are visible.
All other caves belonging to the Jain cult remained unfinished. True, it is worth noting that the servants of this religion at one time tried to create something similar to Kailasanatha. A miniature copy of a Shaivite temple, which was never fully completed, is located in cave number 30. If you count the number of Jain caves in Ellora and examine their interior, you can confidently say that Gomateshvara, Parshvanatha and Jina Mahavira were worshiped in India for only a short time.
Ellora Caves: a small reminder for tourists
Before visiting the Ellora Caves, you should remember that they are all listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and are constantly under protection. All that is allowed on the territory of the cave temple complex are excursions, during which you can take stunning photos of the Ellora caves. Taking “pebbles” from this mystical place as souvenirs is strictly prohibited: almost everywhere tourists are accompanied by guards, who, by the way, are quite difficult to distinguish from local tourists or guides. They reveal themselves only when an unlucky traveler tries to break the rules of staying in the Ellora caves.
The cave complex, which consists of 34 temples and a huge number of sculptures, is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no time restrictions. As soon as the first rays of the sun illuminate the attraction, which is almost on a par with the “Golden Temple” and the temple in Bodhgaya and is considered the most visited place by tourists in India, entry into its territory is allowed. After sunset, according to current rules, only their caretakers have the right to be in the Ellora caves.
The cost of the tour is only 250 rupees, which is quite a bit when you consider how much the Indian government is spending on preserving the largest cave temple complex in the world. “How to get to the Ellora Caves?” is a question a tourist may ask who only learned about this amazing place in India. The easiest way to get to the temple complex is from a city called Aurangabad, located 40 kilometers from the caves. By the way, this city has an airport, so even if a traveler has arrived in Delhi, he will be able to cover the distance between the capital of India and Aurangabad in a short period of time.
In the Indian state of Maharashtra there is a village called Ellora with 34 amazing caves carved into the vertical surface of Mount Charanandry. Ellora is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves consist of 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain temples and monasteries, built between the 6th and 10th centuries.
These caves are a sign of the religious harmony that reigned in India during this period. Ellora Caves are the most popular ancient attractions in the state and a must-see for every tourist.
(Total 25 photos)
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1. Buddhist caves (Vishwakarma) - the earliest of all the Ellora caves (500-750 AD). All but one of them are viharas (monasteries). (Girl in the Rain)
2. Viharas were used for teachings, meditation, social rituals, dinners and overnight stays. (Raj Photography)
4. (Kareem Mayan)
5. The earliest Hindu caves date back to 600 AD, right in the middle of the heyday of Buddhism. (Xinoda)
6. In the photo: Buddhist caves of Ellora. (Koshy Koshy)
7. Created during the period of prosperity and revival of Hinduism, Hindu caves represent a completely different style of creative vision and skill than Buddhist caves. (John Baldock)
8. Hindu temples were carved from top to bottom, and it took more than one generation to give them shape. (A Lip Rim Toke)
10. Contrasting with the tranquil and somber early Buddhist caves, the walls of the Hindu caves are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the sacred Hindu scriptures. (Priya Sivaraman)
12. Jain temples dating back to the late 800-900s go down 2 km along a paved road (where rickshaws can pass). (Guy Stafford)
13. They reflect the characteristics of Jain philosophy and tradition, including a sense of strict asceticism combined with exquisite ornaments. (Girl in the Rain)
14. These caves are small compared to others, but they have very detailed decorations. (Xinoda)
15. Many Jain caves had rich paintings on the ceilings, fragments of which are still visible. (Sonal Vaz)
16. Jain caves of Ellora. Amy Lou
17. All Jain caves belong to the Digambara sect. (Mskadu)
18. This ensemble of shrines of the three main religions of India constitutes one of best works Indian art of the Middle Ages. (Xinoda)
Ellora Caves ( Elloru, Elloru caves) is a complex located in India in the state of Maharashtra, 30 km west of the city of Aurangabad - silent evidence of the peaceful coexistence of three religions at once, which, along with its highly artistic value, makes this place even more significant for world culture.
The Ellora Caves are 34 temples and monasteries, covering about 2 km in length, carved into basalt rocks. They were created between the 6th and 10th centuries by representatives of different religious movements. Sanctuaries of Buddhism (12 caves), Hinduism (17 caves) and Jainism (5 caves) grew here one after another century after century, and today are a clear demonstration of the religious tolerance that reigned then on Indian lands. In the 14th century, the temples of Ellora suffered greatly from the struggle of Muslims against pagans, but, despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome the hard basalt.
The temples are carved out of rock with many passages. Almost all the caves are viharas (place of residence, home, monastery), which the monks used for study, meditation, as well as for such mundane activities as eating and sleeping. As you explore these caves, you will notice how their halls gradually increase in size and acquire a more sophisticated style.
The caves in Ellora are a whole ensemble of magnificent temples, statues, columns and sculptures. Considered to be the most outstanding Kailasanatha Temple (Kailasanatha), a kind of center of Ellora. It was created over a hundred years in the 8th century and was carved from a single monolith, but not, as usual, something is built from the bottom up, but from the top down and from the sides! The temple, decorated with magnificent carvings, symbolizes Mount Kailash, considered sacred by representatives of four religions - Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon adherents, the “heart of the world”. In particular, followers of Hinduism revere Kailas as the mountain where Shiva’s abode is located. Initially, the temple was even whitewashed, specifically to give it a resemblance to a snow-capped holy mountain. And in the main hiding place of the temple a copper tablet was found with the inscription: “Oh, how could I do this without magic?” Indeed: “How?!”
Buddhist caves (also called Vishwakarma Caves) are the earliest of the Ellora caves and date from 500 to 750 AD. Interestingly, the caves become larger and more beautiful as you move to the north side. Scientists explained this by the growing need to compete with Hinduism, because already in 600 the first Hindu temple appeared here.
Hindu monasteries of Ellora are completely different from Buddhist caves, both in terms of style and decoration. These caves were carved from top to bottom and shaped in several stages. There are 17 caves in total, carved between 600 and 870 years. They occupy the central part of the rock, grouped around famous temple Kailasa. Unlike the solemn and serene Buddhist caves, the walls of Hindu monasteries are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting the events of their Hindu scriptures. All of them are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also images of Vishnu and his various reincarnations.
Jaina Caves- the youngest in the Ellora complex and date back to 800-900 years. They are located 2 kilometers to the north, where an asphalt road leads. They reflect the distinctness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including strict asceticism along with elaborate decoration. These monasteries are not as large as Hindu and Buddhist ones but contain exceptionally detailed artwork. Partially preserved here amazing paintings, which once completely covered the ceilings of temples
The architectural cave complex in Ellora can rightfully be called one of the wonders of the world. The skill of the ancient architects was appreciated by UNESCO, which included the caves on the World Heritage List.
PHOTOS OF ELLORA CAVES |