Ajanta and Ellora Caves
October 11th, 2009 | by admin |
Ajanta and Ellora caves are the pride representative of India’s architectural heritage. These two mind blowing caves are world famous for their cave shrine which has been cut from rock all by using hand. These caves were lying low for a long time until it was discovered by the British army officer John Smith while on a hunting expedition in the year 1819. Since then Ajanta and Ellora have captivated many visitors from all over the world. Ajanta has been designated as world Heritage site by the UNESCO. The brilliant sculptures and paintings of these two caves are simply awe-inspiring.
These two caves are located in the midst of the Sahyadri hills. Located near the Aurangabad city of Maharashtra, today Ajanta and Ellora are frequented by heritage lovers from all over the world. Most of the work here has been inspired from three different faiths that is Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Of them Buddhism has found the maximum space. The various Buddhist paintings and sculptures delightfully reminds noble teaching of lord Buddha. Caves of Ajanta and Ellora narrate the tale of Buddhism from 200 BC to 700 AD. Apart from excellent architectures, these two caves are also popular as religious destination.
Ajanta Caves
Ever since it came to light in the 19th century, Caves of Ajanta have become very popular among the tourists. There are altogether 29 caves in the Ajanta which have varied collection of paintings and sculptures. Numerous Viharas and Chaityas found in the caves show that it was a centre for the Buddhist Study. Monks use to perform Buddhist rituals in these caves. The structure of Ajanta tells the story of Buddhism starting from the period of 200 BC to 650 AD. Located around 100 km from Aurangabad city, Ajanta has good connectivity through road, rail and air with big cities.
Most of the magnificent figures drawn on the wall of these structure have been built using ordinary tools like hammer and chisel. The sculptures of Ajanta is a great example of the marvelous craftsmanship of our ancestors. These caves houses some incredibly beautiful wall paintings which include Buddhist arts like Bodhisattvas, Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara. Some holy images and sculptures of lord Buddha are also well preserved in the caves of Ajanta. In a way these caves unfold history of the development of Buddhism in India when Hinayana sect was gaining popularity in India. While some paintings of Ajanta have been inspired from Greek and Roman style, one can find presence of Chinese style too. But the major part have been inspired from Indian style and is very unique too.
Ellora Caves
Located 30 km from Aurangabad, caves of Ellora house some of the treasured structures of India. Most of these caves were carved out from the period of 350 AD to 700 AD. There are 34 caves in Ellora devoted to three different religions namely Buddhist, Jain and Hindu. In the southern part there are 12 caves representing Buddhist, the central area has 17 caves which are devoted to Hinduism and 5 caves situated to the north belong to Jain.
The sculptures and paintings in the Buddhist caves convey the messages of lord Buddha. Most of these caves are Viharas or monastery which were used as centre for Buddhist teachings and meditation. Kailasha temple located in the cave number 16 is one of the most popular. This temple dedicated to lord Shiva is regarded as the single largest monolithic structure of world. Cave number 6 and 10 house image of Hindu and Buddhist faith under the same roof. The design of cave number 29 popularly known as Dhumar Lena resembles that of famous Elephanta cave temples and is dedicated to lord Shiva.
Jain Caves which are located mile away from Kailasha temple house many beautiful Jain shrines. In the cave number 32 and 34 there is statues of Parasnath. In one cave we find the seated statue of the lord Mahavira. The presence of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sculptures at the same site is a proof that since earlier time religious harmony prevailed in Indian society.
By: Taba Ajum
These two caves are located in the midst of the Sahyadri hills. Located near the Aurangabad city of Maharashtra, today Ajanta and Ellora are frequented by heritage lovers from all over the world. Most of the work here has been inspired from three different faiths that is Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Of them Buddhism has found the maximum space. The various Buddhist paintings and sculptures delightfully reminds noble teaching of lord Buddha. Caves of Ajanta and Ellora narrate the tale of Buddhism from 200 BC to 700 AD. Apart from excellent architectures, these two caves are also popular as religious destination.
Ajanta Caves
Ever since it came to light in the 19th century, Caves of Ajanta have become very popular among the tourists. There are altogether 29 caves in the Ajanta which have varied collection of paintings and sculptures. Numerous Viharas and Chaityas found in the caves show that it was a centre for the Buddhist Study. Monks use to perform Buddhist rituals in these caves. The structure of Ajanta tells the story of Buddhism starting from the period of 200 BC to 650 AD. Located around 100 km from Aurangabad city, Ajanta has good connectivity through road, rail and air with big cities.
Most of the magnificent figures drawn on the wall of these structure have been built using ordinary tools like hammer and chisel. The sculptures of Ajanta is a great example of the marvelous craftsmanship of our ancestors. These caves houses some incredibly beautiful wall paintings which include Buddhist arts like Bodhisattvas, Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara. Some holy images and sculptures of lord Buddha are also well preserved in the caves of Ajanta. In a way these caves unfold history of the development of Buddhism in India when Hinayana sect was gaining popularity in India. While some paintings of Ajanta have been inspired from Greek and Roman style, one can find presence of Chinese style too. But the major part have been inspired from Indian style and is very unique too.
Ellora Caves
Located 30 km from Aurangabad, caves of Ellora house some of the treasured structures of India. Most of these caves were carved out from the period of 350 AD to 700 AD. There are 34 caves in Ellora devoted to three different religions namely Buddhist, Jain and Hindu. In the southern part there are 12 caves representing Buddhist, the central area has 17 caves which are devoted to Hinduism and 5 caves situated to the north belong to Jain.
The sculptures and paintings in the Buddhist caves convey the messages of lord Buddha. Most of these caves are Viharas or monastery which were used as centre for Buddhist teachings and meditation. Kailasha temple located in the cave number 16 is one of the most popular. This temple dedicated to lord Shiva is regarded as the single largest monolithic structure of world. Cave number 6 and 10 house image of Hindu and Buddhist faith under the same roof. The design of cave number 29 popularly known as Dhumar Lena resembles that of famous Elephanta cave temples and is dedicated to lord Shiva.
Jain Caves which are located mile away from Kailasha temple house many beautiful Jain shrines. In the cave number 32 and 34 there is statues of Parasnath. In one cave we find the seated statue of the lord Mahavira. The presence of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sculptures at the same site is a proof that since earlier time religious harmony prevailed in Indian society.
By: Taba Ajum