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.

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.

Cave 3
Dating to the seventh century, Cave 3 have lofty pillared halls and a square central chamber with a carved Buddha image, seated on a lotus. Pot and foliage motifs adorn the columns of the hall.

Cave 4
This is a two storied vihara, but now mostly ruined. The lofty pillared halls have pot and foliage motifs.  It contains a Buddha image sitting under the Pipal Bodhi tree.