Aurangabad

The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement.

The 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jai temples.

Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5 th and 11 th century AD, the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29).

The most imposing excavation is, without doubt, that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the largest monolithic structure in the world.

Interestingly, Ellora, unlike the site of Ajanta, was never ‘rediscovered’. Known as Verul in ancient times, it has continuously attracted pilgrims through the centuries to the present day.

Ellora has been designed as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will continue to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.

Listing of Caves:

Buddhist Caves:
5 th century to 7 th century AD
Caves 1 to 12 at the southern end

Hindu Caves:
8 th century to 10 th century AD
Caves 13 to 29 in the middle

Jain Caves:
9 th century to 11 th century AD
Caves 30 to 34 at the northern end

Wikipedia Quotes

“

It was initially thought that the Buddhist caves were one of the earliest structures, created between the fifth and eighth centuries, with caves 1-5 in the first phase (400-600) and 6-12 in the later phase (mid 7th-mid 8th), but now it is clear to the modern scholars that some of the Hindu caves (27,29,21,28,19,26,20,17 and 14) precede these caves. The earliest Buddhist cave is Cave 6, followed by 5,2,3,5 (right wing), 4,7,8,10 and 9. Caves 11 and 12 were the last. All the Buddhist caves were constructed between 630-700.^[3]

These structures consist mostly of viharas or monasteries: large, multi-storeyed buildings carved into the mountain face, including living quarters, sleeping quarters, kitchens, and other rooms. Some of these monastery caves have shrines including carvings of Buddha, bodhisattvas and saints. In many of these caves, sculptors have endeavoured to give the stone the look of wood.^[4]

Most famous of the Buddhist caves is cave 10, a chaitya hall (chandrashala) or ‘Vishvakarma cave’, popularly known as the “Carpenter’s Cave”. Beyond its multi-storeyed entry is a cathedral-like stupa hall also known as chaitya, whose ceiling has been carved to give the impression of wooden beams. At the heart of this cave is a 15-foot statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose. Amongst other Buddhist caves, all of the first nine (caves 1–9) are monasteries. The last two caves, Do Tal (cave 11) and Tin Tal (cave 12) have three stories.”

Interesting & Fun Facts About Ellora Caves 

• Ellora caves are locally known as ‘Verul Leni’.
• The Great Kailasa (Cave 16) at Ellora boasts of being the largest single monolithic excavation in the world.
• Ellora caves have been hewn out of the volcanic basaltic formation of Maharashtra, known as ‘Deccan Trap’.
• The caves are datable from circa 6^th-7^th century A.D. to 11^th-12^th century AD.
• The hills that have served as the venue of Ellora caves form a part of the Sahyadri ranges of the Deccan. These ranges date back to Cretaceous era of the Geological time scale (about 65 million years ago).
• There is inscriptional evidence related to Rashtrakuta Dynasty, on the back wall of the front mandapa of Cave 15.
• The Great Kailasa (Cave 16) is attributed to Krishna I (c. 757-83 A.D.), the successor and uncle of Rashtrakuta Dantidurga.
• Caves 1 to 10 and Cave 21 (Ramesvara) are generally attributed to the Kalachuris of Mahismati.
• Brahmanical caves and two Buddhist caves (caves 11 and 12) are attributed to the Rashtrakuta times.
• The style of execution and fragmentary inscriptions of the Jaina caves hint to their origin being post the reign of Rashtrakutas.
• Ellora caves are open from sunrise to sunset all days of the week, except, Tuesday.
• The Great Kailasa is a freestanding, multi-storied temple complex, built to resemble Mount Kailasa – the abode of Lord Shiva.
• Dashavatara cave (Cave 15) at Ellora depicts the ten avataras of Lord Vishnu.
• The entrance of Ramesvara cave (Cave 21) is adorned with figurines of River Goddesses – Ganga and Yamuna.
• The design of Dhumar Lena (Cave 29) is similar to the cave temple on Elephanta Island, near Mumbai.
• Buddhist caves mostly consist of viharas or monasteries, which include living quarters, sleeping quarters, kitchens, and other rooms.
• Vishwakarma cave (Buddhist cave 10) is also known as “Carpenter’s Cave” and houses a 15 foot statue of Buddha, seated in a preaching pose.
• Amongst all Buddhist caves, the first nine (caves 1-9) are monasteries, while the last two – Do Tal (cave 11) and Tin Tal (cave 12) have three stories.
• The Jain caves at Ellora stand adorned with exceptionally detailed art works.
• Chhota Kailash (cave 30), Indra Sabha (cave 32) and Jagannath Sabha (cave 33) are the most remarkable Jain caves.
• Ellora caves, in combination with Ajanta caves, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.