Ellora Caves

A unique artistic creation, the Ellora complex, devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, is the best illustration of the spirit of ancient India. There are 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, which were dug side by side in the wall of a high cliff, in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its ceaseless array of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life.

The Caves
There are 34 caves, of which 12 are Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain. The caves all face west, so are best seen in the afternoon. The Buddhist caves are to your far right as you face the curve of the Charanadari Hill, then come the Hindu ones, and finally, the Jain cave temples to the far left. . The most impressive vihara is the three - storeyed cave called 'Tin - Tala'. It has a large open-court in front which provides access to the huge monastery. The uppermost storey contains sculptures of Buddha. Compared to the Ajanta paintings and sculptures, the Ellora representations are more earthly, drawing elements from the Vajrayana school of Buddhism.

Excellent Architecture
Ellora is renowned for its exquisite architecture. Buddhist Cave 12 or Tin Tala, for instance, has a rather plain edifice with unadorned pillars and the sculptured panels are only on the inner walls. But its historical value lies in the fact that human hands fashioned a three- storeyed building from solid rock with such painstaking skill that even the floors and the ceiling are smooth and leveled.

Kailasa Temple
Kailasa Temple is a remarkable example of rock-cut temples in India on account of its striking proportion, elaborate workmanship architectural content and sculptural ornamentation. The whole temple consists of a shrine with linga at the rear of the hall with Dravidian sikhara, a flat-roofed mandapa supported by sixteen pillars, a separate porch for Nandi surrounded by an open-court entered through a low gopura. There are two dhvajastambhas, or pillars with the flagstaff, in the courtyard.