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Located in Aurangabad ( Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar), Maharashtra, the approximately 1500-year-old caves of Ajanta and Ellora are world-renowned. Historian Walter Spink spent 50 years researching the Ajanta Caves and created a chronological history of these caves. Carved into the mountains above the Waghora River, these caves are a unique example of ancient intricate construction.
Construction of these caves was started by the Vakataka dynasty in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. After the end of the Vakataka dynasty, the caves were also built under the Ashmaka dynasty. However, the work on these caves was never completed.
These caves were built for Buddhist monks so that they could meditate in solitude and pray for the prosperity of the kingdom. These caves, which are over 2000 years old, were later forgotten and ...
About 100 caves were found in Ellora, of which 34 are currently open to tourists. Caves numbered 1 to 12 are related to Buddhism, caves numbered 13 to 29 are related to Hinduism, and caves numbered 30 to 34 are related to Jainism.
These caves were carved out of the Sahyadri hills. The Ellora Caves are much newer than the Ajanta Caves, which are said to have been carved between the 6th and 11th centuries.
The Kailash Temple located in Cave number 16 is the main attraction here and has always been a subject of mystery and discussion for archaeologists. This huge temple is carved out of a single rock. It is said that this temple was constructed from top to bottom, i.e., the gopuram was carved first and then the rest of the temple.
This temple is 300 feet long, 175 feet wide, and 100 feet high. The carvings done in this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva are unparallel...
Aurangabad (now Sambhaji Nagar) serves as the gateway to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra. Ajanta Caves are approximately 105 kilometres away, while Ellora Caves are around 30 kilometres from Aurangabad.
By Air: Aurangabad Airport (Chikalthana Airport) (AUR) is the nearest airport to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to visit both locations, including the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, in one day.
By Train: Jalgaon (JL) is the closest railway station to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. You can catch a direct train to Jalgaon or plan a connecting journey via Aurangabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Nagpur in Maharashtra.
By Road: As Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar is a district in Maharashtra, it has excellent road connectivity with other major cities in the state. You can either drive your vehicle or board public transport, such as government buses or luxury private buses.
Tip: If you're travelling with family, hiring a private taxi from Aurangabad will allow you to cover both places, including the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, in one day.
Note: Ellora Caves and Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga are located in Verul, whereas Ajanta Caves are farther from Aurangabad. You can also consider Aurangabad Railway Station (AWB) as the central point of your journey.
Ajanta Caves: Carved into the Sahyadri rocks in the Waghora river valley, the Ajanta Caves were created as a secluded retreat for Buddhist monks, far from human habitation. The Vakataka dynasty is credited for these constructions.
It's almost unimaginable how, without large tools or machinery, they could have carved rocks in such a remote location and shaped them into residential structures. The chaitya-grihas, viharas, and meditation spots here were all created solely by carving, which leaves everyone astonished.
Ellora Caves: While the Ajanta Caves were carved exclusively as monasteries for Buddhist monks, Ellora was also carved for the shrines of Hindu deities and Jain Tirthankaras. Exploring the 34 caves in detail and learning about their history from a guide can take around 4-5 hours.
The carvings of the magnificent statues, halls, pillars, etc., are outstanding and incomparable to any other construction. It is believed that it took around 200 years during different empires to carve these caves and give them their current form.
Kailasa Temple: The Kailash Temple is the largest carving in the Ellora Caves. Even 21st century’s engineers are amazed at how this huge 3-floor temple could have been carved out of a rock. The construction or carving of the temple seems to have used extremely advanced mathematics. The rock was cut from top to bottom, with 2 million tons of rock being removed. Surprisingly, there is no trace of this huge debris around the temple.
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga: Located in Verul village of Sambhaji Nagar, this ancient temple is a Jyotirlinga established by the Hindu scholar Adi Shankara, one of the 12 main Jyotirlingas. This temple is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, meaning that this temple existed even before being declared a Jyotirlinga in the 11th century. The Grishneshwar Temple is said to be several thousand years old.
Devgiri Fort: In 1187, King Billama Yadav built this maze-like fort to protect his kingdom. Located in Aurangabad, this fort is also known as Daulatabad Fort. Daulatabad Fort stands about 200 metres high on a conical hill. The lower slopes were strategically cut away to create vertical cliffs, making it almost impossible to conquer.
Visit Unbelievably Carved Caves Amidst Dense Forests
Ajanta and Ellora Caves, located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, are marvels of ancient rock-cut architecture. These caves were created during a period when Buddhism was predominant in India, and monks sought secluded sites for peaceful meditation.
The Vakataka and Rashtrakuta dynasties are credited with the intricate carvings of these extraordinary caves. Nestled amidst the dense forests of the Sahyadri range, these sites offer a breathtaking experience. If you are interested in discovering ancient hidden gems of India, a visit to these caves is a must.
Get Blessings at the Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple
The age of the Grishneshwar Temple is uncertain, but it is mentioned in several Hindu scriptures, suggesting it is several thousand years old. As a Jyotirlinga, it is considered an active source of positive energy. The daily rituals performed at the temple maintain its extraordinary aura. If you are a spiritual seeker, merely being present at this site can be awe-inspiring. You can offer your gratitude to the deity and meditate within the temple complex for the well-being of yourself and others.
Witness Remarkable Massive Engravings
The Ajanta and Ellora Caves, along with the Kailasa Temple, are masterpieces of rock carving. The thought of how these high rocks were transformed into habitable spaces is mind-boggling. The Kailasa Temple is enormous and features an extensive array of sculptures carved into its walls. Remarkably, the temple was carved from the top downwards, yet it shows no errors in measurements or design. It truly deserves to be called a wonder of the world.
Wonder at the Invincible Fort of the Yadava Dynasty
The Devgiri Fort, also known as Daulatabad Fort, is a massive structure situated atop a steep 200-metre-high hill. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries CE using heavy stone blocks, the fort exemplifies extraordinary engineering.
Designed to thwart invaders, the entrance to the fort is difficult to locate. In 1296 AD, the Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin Khalji captured Devagiri Fort, and in 1327 AD, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq renamed the city Daulatabad, thus the fort became known as Daulatabad Fort.
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