The magnificent Ellora Caves: Temples of three religions

By asad russel -

Ellora Caves, India

Between the 6th and 10th centuries A.D. near an ancient Indian village Ellora the Ellora Caves were built which are an impressive complex of temples of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religions. Than the Ajanta the setting of the caves have little less dramatic but the sculptures are more exquisite. The Ellora is a world heritage site announced by the UNESCO and in the Maharashtra state the most visited ancient monument site.

Ellora Caves History

Between the 6th to 10th centuries from the Charanandri hills vertical face the caves of Ellora were carved out. Around the 550 A.D. the carving work began which was the same time when Ajanta Caves were abandoned which was 100 km northeast from this place. Buddhism was declining in India and to reassert itself Hinduism was beginning when the Ellora Caves were built. Under the patronage of the Rashtrakuta and Chalukya kings the movement of the Brahmanical was especially powerful and including the beautiful Kailasa Temple which built in the 700s they oversaw most of the work of Ellora caves.

In the 10th century took place the last period of building activity, from Shaivism to the Digambara sect of the Jainism the lokal rulers switched allegiance at that time. From three different religions the coexistence of the structures serves the prevalent religious tolerance of India as a splendid visual representation. For these reasons in 1983 the Ellora Caves were announced as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visiting elements for visitors

In the Ellora Caves there are total 34 caves. Among them 12 are buddhist caves built in 500-750 A.D., 17 Hindu caves built in 800-1000 A.D. and 5 Jain caves built in 800-1000 A.D. Roughly Chronologically the caves were numbered, at the south end starting with the oldest Buddhist caves.
As the progress to the north the caves become larger decorated more elaborately.

With eight small monastic cells Cave 1 is a plain vihara includes very small sculpture, as a granary for the larger halls it may have served. Much more impressive is the Cave 2. Supported by 12 great square pillars and with the sculpture of seated Buddhas there is a large central chamber. As the Cave 2 the Cave 3 and 4 have the same design but in recent condition they are poor. Maharwada is the name of Cave 5 because as a shelter during the monsoon it was used by the local people of Mahar tribe. In the 600s Cave 6 was carved and it is the home of finest sculpure in Ellora Caves. On the right site there is the Buddhist goddess of learning Mahamayuri, on the left site goddess Tara with a intense but kind expression. Cave 10 is magnificent which dates the early 700s and as the Carpenters Cave it is known because on the ceiling there are wooden beams which holds the stones. As the Dho Tal Cave 11 is known, there are three floors in this cave. Cave 12 has also three floors and known as the Tin Tal.

In the early 600s Cave 14 craved and later it was converted from Buddhist vihara. There are many sculptures of Hindu god and goddess in this cave.Cave 15 also converted from the Buddhist to Hindu. As well as the visitors can visit the Cave 16, 21, 25, 29 and 32 with three religions god and goddess sculptures and statues. There are temples too such as the Kailasa Temple. According to the Archaeological Survey of India every year 1.2 million people visits thw Ellora Caves.

Facebook Google Twitter More

• Pinterest
• Linkedin
• Tumblr

Posted by : Unknown 11:42 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

Subscribe by Email

Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email