Ellora Caves - The hidden wonders of Sambhaji Nagar ~ Nature's Routes

The Hidden Wonders of Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves are located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, Sambhaji Nagar. They are one of the largest rock-cut temple cave complexes in the world. Ellora Caves were built in the 5th to 10th centuries AD.

There are 34 major caves in the cave complex, out of which 12 are Buddhist, 17 are Hindu and 5 are Jain. Buddhist caves were built between the 5th and 7th centuries. The Hindu caves were built between the 6th and 9th centuries AD, while the Jain caves were built between the 9th and 10th centuries AD.

Ellora Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and the ticket price is INR 100 for Indian citizens and INR 500 for foreigners.

Ellora Caves - A Brief History

Ellora caves were created by a series of detailed excavations between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. The caves were mainly excavated from cubic basalt and many of them were used as monasteries, temples or shrines dedicated to various deities. Buddhist caves built in the 5th century were the oldest. These caves contain sculptures describing the life of Gautama Buddha and include various figures of Buddha and Bodhisattvas, as well as depictions of their past life.

Hindu caves were built between the 6th and 9th centuries. This cave was dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses and has eye-catching idols of Shiva, Parvati, Brahma, Vishnu and other figures in the Hindu temple. Jain caves were built between the 9th and 10th centuries AD and exhibit many stories of Jainism.

Caves - Structure and Importance

Ellora Caves are one of the most important cultural monuments in India. They feature effective architecture and show the evolution of Indian rock-cut architecture over time. Each of the 34 caves has its own unique structure and features. The architecture of the caves is not only impressive but also very remarkable.

The most notable of all the Ellora caves is Shiva's 32-meter-long, 16-meter-high rock-cut craft, which is known as "Kailas Temple", which is the largest monolithic sculpture in the world. The Kailash temple was built from a single rock and is believed to have taken 150 years to complete.

Its walls are adorned with hundreds of sculpted figures, some depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and others depicting scenes from the life behind the Buddha. Other notable sculptures include the carving of Indra riding an elephant, the sculpture of Ganesha and the 32-meter-long rest in Shiva's global dance.

Ellora Caves

Visitors of Ellora Caves can explore various caves and be amazed by the effective architecture. Caves can be found through guided tours covering all the caves as well as surrounding areas. The caves are open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and the ticket price is Rs 100 for Indian citizens and Rs 500 for foreigners.

Ellora Caves organizes various cultural and religious events, such as the Ellora Festival. The festival is held every year and includes several cultural programmes, lectures and other activities. Apart from this, Ellora caves have various temples and shrines that visitors can visit.

Today, the Ellora caves are one of the most important monuments in India. They attract thousands of visitors every year who come to explore the caves and learn about the rich history of the region. Ellora caves are also home to many species of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered and threatened.

Recently, the caves have been identified as potential world heritage sites, which will give them special protection and recognition. Ellora Caves are known as one of the most important archaeological sites in India due to its period and effective architecture. After all, Ellora caves are a historical treasure and should be preserved for future generations.

They showcase the evolution of Indian rock-cut architecture and have many important sculptures and temples. Ellora Caves also allows visitors to explore and experience the unique culture of the region and learn the story behind the various sculptures. Visiting Ellora caves is an unforgettable experience and a great opportunity to see the wonders of India.