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Tourism Monuments Rock - cut Caves Maharashtra Aurangabad

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Ellora Caves

 
Place
:
Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Significance
:

Designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Best Season
:

Although the best season is from October to March, the season extend throughout the year. 

Timings
:

From 09 hours to 17:30 hrs or at sunset whichever is earlier ( Closed on Mondays and National holidays. )

Entry Fee
:

Entry to Ellora is free except for the Kailasa Temple. Foreigner US$ 10, Indian Rs 10. A light pass of Rs.5 is necessary if you want the guide to turn on the lights. Video Camera Rs 25. Flash photography is strictly forbidden in this caves.

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The Buddhist Caves | Hindu Caves | Jain Caves


Ellora Caves - Buddhist Caves

The Buddhists first came to Ellora in the early 7th century AD when the Chalukyas ruled the Deccan plateau, and occupied the southernmost part of Ellora. 1 to 12 such caves were excavated under the early Chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasties between the 6th and the 8th centuries AD. The caves include Buddhist monasteries (viharas) and chapels (chaitya) where the monks worshipped. Eleven of them are viharas, except cave 10 which is a chaitya. These belong to the Vajrayan sect of the Mahayana School and contains some of the most impressive images of Buddha, carvings of Bodhisatvas and saints. The ceilings of the caves are carved and often painted with geometric designs, while walls and pillars carry narrative sculpture and murals pertaining to the life of the Buddha. 

Cave 1
It is the simplest vihara with no pillars or carving but remarkable for its austerity. This is the first monastery at the southern end of Ellora. There are four cells in the South and East walls around a 13 m square assembly hall. The cave is devoid of any carvings or sculptures and is believed to have served as a granary or storehouse.


The Ellora Festival,
held annually in March, draws top classical Indian dancers and musicians from around the country to perform outdoors against the magical backdrop of the Ellora Caves.  
    Click here for more details...

Contact Details :
Ellora Festival
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (M T D C) 
9th Floor, Express Towers 
Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400021

Cave 2
Cave 2 has a hall for worship and is reached by a flight of steps. Images of goddess Panchika and Hariti are located at the end, to the right of this steps. At the entrance of the cave are dwarapalas (Guardians) flanked by windows. Next to it there is a profusion of figures of Buddha and divinities. 

The interior comprises a square hall supported by 12 ornate pillars some decorated with pot and foliage motifs on their upper part. This square hall is defined by fluted columns with cushion-shaped capitals. A gallery runs down each side. In the center of the back wall is a 3 m high seated Buddha and two standing Buddhas. The side walls have sculptures of  five Buddhas flanked by Bodhisatvas and apsaras (celestials). A similar but larger Buddha occupies the end shrine. Porches lead from the sanctuary to small side cells. The right porch displays a relief of the miracle at Sravasti when the Buddha manifested himself in a thousand forms.

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