Ajanta and Ellora Caves of India

The world famous Ajanta and Ellora caves are situated in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. They have been designated as World Heritage Sites since 1983. These caves represent some of the most lavish illustrations of architectural heritage of ancient India. In all there are around twenty-nine caves at Ajanta and thirty-four caves at Ellora. Surprisingly, these caves were in a state of obscurity till the nineteenth century. In 1819, a British army officer John Smith, accidentally discovered the Ajanta caves.

Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta caves are located deep within the Sahyadri hills above the Waghora river near the city of Aurangabad. All the caves date back to the period between 200 BC and 250 AD. The caves were carved out from mountain rocks. It is believed that the artists had used some very simple tools like hammer and chisel to make the beautiful figures that adorn the walls of these caves. These caves are an indicator of the progress made by the artists of that era. The images housed in the caves narrate the stories of Jatakas, the famous tales based on the various incarnations of the Buddha.

Paintings and Sculptures of Ajanta Caves: Some of the most amazing sculptures and paintings can be seen inside the Ajanta caves. Depictions like 'the birth of Buddha', 'the thousand Buddhas', 'seventeen Jatakas', etc, are instances of the most wonderful murals and sculptures that man can create. The vast paintings inscribed on the ceilings of the caves, like 'the elephant scattering lotus', 'the black princess' and 'the row of dancers' have mesmerized visitors from across the globe.

Architecture of Ajanta Caves: The architecture of the Ajanta caves has a well defined form. There are two typical forms of monastic Buddhist architecture that can be observed at Ajanta: the Chaitya or prayer hall and the Vihara or monastery. The caves were developed during two different phases; the Mahayana phase, where the images depicted are mostly formal religious ones, and the Hinayana phase, where the monuments built are devoid of any carvings.

Ellora Caves

The Ellora caves were created by engraving the sides of a basaltic hill. These caves belong to the era 350 AD to 700 AD. The caves here symbolize three faiths, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Out of the thirty-four Ellora caves, twelve towards the south are dedicated to Buddhism, seventeen at the center to Hinduism and five towards north dedicated to Jainism. This site has some beautiful structures of temple architecture with nicely elaborated frontals accompanied by some delicate artwork in the interiors.

Like any other Buddhist monument, the Ellora also has a grandeur and serenity, which is an integral part of Buddhism. In some caves, images from the faiths of both Buddhism as well as Hinduism can be seen under the same roof. One such cave is the Vishwakarma cave which is dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma, the Hindu god of craftsmanship, wherein a two-storied structure of seated Buddha positioned on top of a stupa, can also be seen.

Ajanta and Ellora caves of India are considered to be monuments of artistic legacy and this heritage is being preserved so that it can inspire and enrich the lives of future generations.