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 |
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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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