Ellora Caves : A Marvel of Sculpture Art

Our drive to Aurangabad was combined with a visit to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. I had only read of these magnificent monastery/temple complexes in school, and when an opportunity came up to travel to Aurangabad, we were thrilled to be able to visit these UNESCO world heritage sites, which have become of the top places for tourism in India.

Ellora is the world’s largest rock cut temple/monastery sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site features over 100 caves, out of which about 34 are open to the public.

Built around 600-1000 AD, Ellora Caves were built around an ancient trade route. These caves served as temples for prayers, moasteries for monks and also places for pilgrims to stay. The intricately carved caves tell stories Buddhist, Jain and Hindu religious beliefs and traditions. If you are interested in a detailed visit, plan for more than a day.

One of the largest caves here is Cave 16, the Kailash Temple. Carved out of a single block of stone, this large multi storeyed temple complex is 106 feet tall and 280 feet X 160 feet at the base. The Kailash Temple is considered one of the world’s largest sculptures. Dedicated to Shiva, the Kailash Temple is double the size of The Parthenon at Greece.

Our visit to Ellora was almost a year ago and I have started forgetting details of the images, overwhelming that they are. But they are still here to get you a sneak peek into these wonders of our ancient culture.

 

Approach to Ellora Caves, India
Approaching Ellora Caves in the Charanandri Hills.
Ellora Caves, India
Gorgeous caves merge peacefully into the basalt hills of Charanandri.
MTDC Thali at Ellora
the MTDC Restaurant at Ellora had a fairly decent thali.
Details at Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, India
Kailash Temple, Ellora
Inside Ellora Caves, India
The ribbed ceiling inside a Buddhist Chaitya Vihara.
Details at Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, India
The pillared corridors around Kailash Temple.
Details at Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, India
Inside the Kailasj Temple complex.
Details at Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, India
Figurines from Mythology in Kailash Temple.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Entrance to Kailash Temple.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Is that Shiva with his bull Nandi?
Waterfall Inside Ellora Caves, India
The waterfall over caves 1-5 is best experienced in the monsoons.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
A vast number of these figurines depict Parvati, Shiva’s wife, in various avatars.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Beautifully detailed sculpture of a Kalash…
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Inside one of the Jain temples at Ellora.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Shiva and Parvati sit on Mount Kailash as Ravana tries to lift it. Ravana was a huge devotee of Shiva.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Is that another roop of Parvati?
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Sculpted details
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Again, what looks like Shiva and Parvati at Ellora Caves.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Large medidation hall.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
A meditation hall at Ellora.
Inside Ellora Caves, India
Contemplating. the magnificence of our own heritage.
sunset in aurangabad
The drive back to Aurangabad is full of such beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
The Meadows, Aurangabad.
We stayed at The Meadows Resort, but not sure if we can recomend it.

Inside Ellora Caves, India Inside Ellora Caves, India Inside Ellora Caves, India Inside Ellora Caves, India

 

A very detailed post on the caves is here at ElloraCaves.org.

[box type=”success” width=”100%” ]When to visit Ellora Caves: We recommend late monsoons (August), as the weather is cooler and the waterfalls are full. Winters is also a nice time, from November till about early March).

How to reach Ellora Caves: There are a number of buses that ply to Ajanta and Ellora from various destinations. Aurangabad is the nearest airport. We drove from Mumbai spending one night in Pune.

Where to stay Ellora Caves: Numerous stay options are here. We really loved Ellora Homestay, but for some reason couldn’t stay there. The Meadows in Aurangabad is situated on the road to Ellora Caves, but we felt it was slightly expensive for what it offered.[/box]

 

5 thoughts on “Ellora Caves : A Marvel of Sculpture Art”

  1. Both the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are high on my list of places I want to see when I go back to India one day. I wonder though if it is possible to stay one night near Ajanta and another night near Ellora as I understand both are quite far apart. Again, thanks for the beautiful feast for the eyes!

    Reply
    • Hi Bama! The thingto do is stay somewhere in between. When visiting Ajanta, we stayed at the Taj Aurangabad. Then after three nights we moved to The Meadows, which is on the road to Ellora. Either way, you will need local transport.

      Reply

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