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state of Maharashtra is home to the enchanting Ajanta and Ellora group
of caves. The cave shrines were all cut out of rock, by hand, and rank
amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural
heritage. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta, were hidden
from the public eye, till they were accidentally rediscovered in the 19th
century.
Ajanta
Caves
It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying
deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above
the Waghora river, were discovered. A group of British officers on a
tiger hunt, stumbled on these ancient works of art. They depict the
story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD.
The 29 caves
were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and
performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of
learning, and nerve - centres of the Buddhist cultural movement. Using
simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive
figures adorning the walls of these structures. Exquisite wall - paintings
and sculptures speak volumes of the India of yore. Many of the caves
house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales
of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses
amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed.
Cave 1 houses
some of the most well - preserved wall paintings which include two great
Boddhisattvas, Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara. Caves 2 , 16 and 17 also
contain amazing paintings, while Caves 1, 4, 17, 19, 24 and 26 boast
of some of the most divine sculptures. The flying apsara, of Cave 17,
and the image of Buddha preaching in Cave 17, are a couple of unforgettable
works of art. The Ajanta caves and the treasures they house, are a landmark
in the overall development of Buddhism as such.
Ellora
The
Ellora caves, 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic
hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple
architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors.
These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism
and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12
caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism,
and the 5 caves to the north are Jain.
The sculpture
in the Buddhist caves accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity
inherent in the Buddha. Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist
and Hindu faith, under the same roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma,
the patron saint of Indian craftsmen. The Vishvakarma cave is both a
Chaitya and a Vihara, with a seated Buddha placed in the stupa. Its
two - storeyed structure sports a colourful pageant of dwarfs, dancing
and making music.
The Kailasa temple
in Cave 16 is an architectural wonder, the entire structure having been
carved out of a monolith, the process taking over a century to finish.
This mountain - abode of Lord Shiva, is in all probability, the world's
largest monolith, the gateway, pavilion, assembly hall, sanctum and
tower, all hewn out of a single rock. What is amazing about it is the
fact, that unlike other temple structures which are built base onwards,
the sculptor or architect involved here, started carving from the very
top and the sides. Gigantic, though it is, it remains one of the most
delicate and intricate ancient works of art. The Dumar Lena cave resembles
the famous cave - temple at Elephanta, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Jain caves
are about a mile away from the Kailasa temple, amongst which Cave 32,
houses a beautiful shrine adorned with fine carvings of a lotus flower
on the roof, and a yakshi on a lion under a mango - tree, while Caves
32 and 34 contain grand statues of Parasnath. The other Jain caves sport
the images of Tirthankaras, and one of them, also, has a seated figure
of Mahavira.
These cave shrines
are memorable for their invaluable contribution to the enormous wealth
of Indian heritage.
Festival
Every
year in the third week of March, M T D C organises the Ellora Festival
of Classical Dance and Music at the caves.
How
To Get There
By
air: Aurangabad, ( 99 km from Ajanta and 30 km from Ellora ), is the
ideal base to visit Ajanta and ellora, is directly linked to Delhi,
Udaipur, Jaipur and Mumbai.
By rail: Aurangabad
is directly linked to Mumbai and Pune. Jalgaon, a railhead on the Central
Railways line, is 59 km from Ajanta.
By road: State
buses run from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule,
Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore and Bijapur to Aurangabad, and from Jalgaon
to Ajanta. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (M T D C) operates
conducted tours from Mumbai to Aurangabad.
Where
To Stay
The
M T D C Holiday Resort near Aurangabad railway station, the Ajanta Travellers
Lodge at the caves and the M T D C Holiday Resort at Fardapur (about
4 km from Aurangabad) apart from regular hotels in nearby areas, provide
satisfactory accomodation.
Contact
Govt.of
India Tourist Office,
Krishna Vilas, Station Road,
Aurangabad - 431005,
Maharashtra. Tel: 81217
Aurangabad MT
D C
Holiday Resort, Station Road, Aurangabad - 431001.
Tel: 23298, 24259, 24713
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