Ellora caves. Cave temples of Ellora

One of the most amazing and popular places for tourists - Ellora caves.

How to get to Ellora Caves?

The caves are located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, or more precisely in Northern Maharashtra, approximately 30 kilometers west of the city of Aurangabad. The nearest airport is located there, in Aurangabad. A plane ticket from Moscow costs about 26,0000 rubles. You can rent a car from Aurangabad airport and reach the caves in 2 hours. To visit India, Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa, and this is good news.

The 34 caves of Ellora, dating between the 6th and 9th centuries AD, are a mixture of several religions: Buddhists, Hindus and Jains.

The caves were excavated from volcanic rock along a 2 km stretch of the western side of the embankment. The 34 major caves are numbered sequentially rather than chronologically, starting with the Buddhist group (caves 1-13) in the south. Other groups of the Brahminical pantheon (caves 14-29) and Jainism (caves 30-34). The most notable monument is Cave 16, Kailash Temple, which represents the culmination of rock-cut architecture, with huge sculpted reliefs, sublime overall symbolism of the temple such as the cosmic mountains and the house of Shiva.

When you look at these majestic sculptures, you admire the ancient sculptors. The most incredible thing about these caves is that they were made by hand, with just a hammer and chisel. Ellora Caves are famous for their unique architecture. You will see superb paintings both inside the Kailasa temple and on the hill around it. Its sheer size is staggering, twice the size of the Pantheon in Athens and one and a half times taller. Best time to visit the caves: November - March, when it is cooler and drier.

When to visit Ellora Caves?

Opening times: 9am until sunset (around 5:30pm). Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays but open on national holidays. However, try to avoid visiting during these days, the crowds of tourists can be crazy and you won't have a pleasant experience. Bring a flashlight as many areas are quite dark.

The Ellora Caves are free to visit, with the exception of the magnificent open-air Kailash Temple, which costs US$5. Children under 15 years old are admitted free of charge.

Anyone interested in music and dancing should visit these places at the end of the year. In the last week of November every year, a festival is held here for 4 days. The festival brings together some of India's most eminent singers and dancers.

There is no doubt that this place will remain in your heart for many years; here you can even feel the presence of Buddha.

Attractions nearby

The Ellora Caves are viewed in conjunction with the Ajdanta cave monastery (2nd century BC – 5th century AD), which is located nearby.

In the Indian state of Maharashtra there is a village called Ellora with 34 amazing caves carved into the vertical surface of Mount Charanandry. Ellora is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves consist of 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain temples and monasteries, built between the 6th and 10th centuries.

These caves are a sign of the religious harmony that reigned in India during this period. Ellora Caves are the most popular ancient attractions in the state and a must-see for every tourist.

(Total 25 photos)

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1. Buddhist caves (Vishwakarma) - the earliest of all the Ellora caves (500-750 AD). All but one of them are viharas (monasteries). (Girl in the Rain)

2. Viharas were used for teachings, meditation, social rituals, dinners and overnight stays. (Raj Photography)

4. (Kareem Mayan)

5. The earliest Hindu caves date back to 600 AD, right in the middle of the heyday of Buddhism. (Xinoda)

6. In the photo: Buddhist caves of Ellora. (Koshy Koshy)

7. Created during the period of prosperity and revival of Hinduism, Hindu caves represent a completely different style of creative vision and skill than Buddhist caves. (John Baldock)

8. Hindu temples were carved from top to bottom, and it took more than one generation to give them shape. (A Lip Rim Toke)

10. Contrasting with the tranquil and somber early Buddhist caves, the walls of the Hindu caves are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the sacred Hindu scriptures. (Priya Sivaraman)

12. Jain temples dating back to the late 800-900s go down 2 km along a paved road (where rickshaws can pass). (Guy Stafford)

13. They reflect the characteristics of Jain philosophy and tradition, including a sense of strict asceticism combined with exquisite ornaments. (Girl in the Rain)

14. These caves are small compared to others, but they have very detailed decorations. (Xinoda)

15. Many Jain caves had rich paintings on the ceilings, fragments of which are still visible. (Sonal Vaz)

16. Jain caves of Ellora. Amy Lou

17. All Jain caves belong to the Digambara sect. (Mskadu)

18. This ensemble of shrines of the three main religions of India constitutes one of the finest works of art in India during the Middle Ages. (Xinoda)

Located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, the magnificent Ellora Caves are 34 structures carved into the vertical slopes of the Sharanandry rocks. An official UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ellora Caves comprise 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain monasteries built between the 6th and 10th centuries

They have survived to this day as a testament to the religious harmony and peace that reigned during that period of Indian history. Ellora Caves is the most visited historical monument in the country and one of the most popular tourist attractions in India. I invite you to admire the incredible photographs of these places, as well as learn more about each group of temples and monasteries

Buddhist monasteries of Ellora

The Buddhist Caves (also called Vishwakarma Caves) are the earliest of the Ellora caves and date from 500 to 750 AD. Interestingly, the caves become larger and more beautiful as you move to the north side. Scientists explained this by the growing need to compete with Hinduism, because already in 600 the first Hindu temple appeared here

Hindu caves of Ellora

The Hindu monasteries of Ellora are completely different from the Buddhist caves, both in terms of style and decoration. These caves were carved from top to bottom and shaped in several stages. There are 17 caves in total, carved between 600 and 870 years. They occupy the central part of the rock, grouped around the famous Kailasa temple. Unlike the solemn and serene Buddhist caves, the walls of Hindu monasteries are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting the events of their Hindu scriptures. All of them are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also images of Vishnu and his various reincarnations

Jain caves of Ellora

The Jaina Caves are the youngest in the Ellora complex and date back to 800-900 years. They are located 2 kilometers to the north, where an asphalt road leads. They reflect the distinctness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including strict asceticism along with elaborate artistic design. These monasteries are not as large as Hindu and Buddhist ones but contain exceptionally detailed artwork. Amazing paintings that once completely covered the ceilings of temples have been partially preserved here.

Ellora is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra, about 30 kilometers west of the city of Aurangabad. Since 1983, the cave system (and numerous castles) have been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Ellora Caves are a complex of mute evidence of the peaceful coexistence of three religions at once, which, along with its highly artistic value, makes this place even more significant for world culture.

This mystery, as well as stunning sculptures, temples, and the mysterious atmosphere permeating this entire slightly gloomy and even frightening place, made the Ellora caves a kind of “calling card” of India. One has only to imagine that in the dark caves there are 34 temples belonging to three religious cults, the question immediately arises: how the ancient masters, without having ultra-modern tools at hand, could create such a magnificent and huge miracle. It is worth noting that there are quite a lot of miracles in the Ellora caves; it is simply believed that all 17 Hindu, 12 Buddhist and 5 Janai temples are one complex. It is the Ellora Caves that are described on the UNESCO World Heritage List, not each individual temple.

By the way, at the top of the Kailasa mountains there is one huge temple - a Shaivite one, it is called Kailasanatha. It is also classified as part of the Ellora cave complex. So, according to the legends of the ancient Hindus, it is believed that this particular temple leads to heaven, and it is in it that Shiva himself lives. This sanctuary is carved from a monolithic rock and decorated with carvings, the beauty of which is almost impossible to describe in words: perhaps even a huge construction company with the most cutting-edge tools would not dare to repeat the work of ancient masters.

By the way, Kailasanatha was made under the guidance of a person, and not of a god or a representative of an alien civilization. This is evidenced by a copper tablet found in one of the hiding places of the Shaivite temple. It reads something like this: “Oh, Great Shiva, how did I manage to build such a miracle without magic?” After deciphering the master’s address to the god Shiva, it becomes clear that Kailasanatha was built by the most ordinary people. How then, in ancient times, was it possible to literally carve out this temple? Unfortunately, there is no answer to this question yet: there are assumptions by archaeologists, builders and architects, but they remain only theories that have yet to be explained to our descendants. At the moment, one can only be amazed at the work of the ancient masters who showed the world one of the most significant wonders of India - the mysterious Ellora caves.

The temple complex was created between the 5th and 8th centuries. at the behest of the rulers of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The temples were built near Ellora, the then capital, in that part of the rocks where pilgrimage sites revered by Buddhists, Jains and Hindus have long been located, and at the beginning of the 7th century. there was a small cave temple of Shiva. The creation of the complex is usually attributed to Krishna Raja I (757-772) on the grounds that in one of the caves they found a corresponding inscription and a copper plate stating that it was he who ordered the creation of a “temple of wonderful appearance” on the mountain " In fact, work was carried out under at least three more generations of Rashtrakutas, the rajas Dhruva, Govinda III and Amoghavarsha, who were in power from 780 to 880.

Ellora Caves are 34 temples and monasteries, occupying about 2 km in length, carved into basalt rocks. They were created between the 6th and 10th centuries by representatives of different religious movements.

The sanctuaries of Ellora invariably evoke admiration for how masterfully Indian craftsmen handled stone. Both the cave and rock architecture of this complex are directly connected with nature: it seems to be born from the depths of the earth, in harmony with everything around it.

The traditions of cave architecture, which spread in India from the 2nd century. BC e., by this time there were several centuries of development. It coincided with the heyday of Buddhism, during which cave temples became common (by the beginning of the Middle Ages, several thousand of them had already been carved). Ellora, like Ajanta, has some of the most famous temples, but if Ajanta became famous primarily for its wonderful painting, then Ellora is famous for its no less remarkable sculpture. Its temples are a real treasury of Indian sculpture, the beautiful examples of which depict eternal Indian myths. Single images and multi-figure compositions of gods and mythical characters, even now, crippled by time and barbarian hands, have not lost their former expressiveness and harmony. It seems as if they fill the empty halls with magical life. This is largely due to the favorite technique in Indian architecture of the play of light and shadow, when light through window openings enters cave temples scattered and refracted.

Most scholars who study the history and culture of India insist that the temples in this place were built for a reason: it was here that the largest trade route passed in ancient times. What do religious cults have to do with trade?

The answer to this question may seem too simple and even banal: “The most direct!” The thing is that India in ancient centuries conducted uninterrupted trade: its goods were unusually highly valued in other countries. Many merchants and maharajas were extremely wealthy people. They donated a certain part of their income for the construction of religious temples and the erection of sculptures in the caves of Ellora. There was no need to send gold, which was used to pay for the work of ancient skilled craftsmen, far. Temples were built right along the trade route, in the place where most transactions were concluded.

The sanctuaries of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism grew here one after another century after century, and today they are a clear demonstration of the religious tolerance that reigned then in Indian lands. In the 14th century, the temples of Ellora suffered greatly from the struggle of Muslims against pagans, but, despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome the hard basalt.

If you carefully study the history of India, you can understand why Hindu temples predominate in the Ellora Caves. From the middle of the 6th century AD, Buddhism began to be replaced by Hinduism in most of the country. Archaeological excavations and studies of the age of temples in the Ellora cave complex only once again prove that Buddhist temples were carved first, and only then Hindu ones. In the 8th century, a huge Kailasanatha temple was built, and by the end of the 10th century, five Jain temples were carved out. By and large, the Ellora Caves are a kind of history textbook, telling through temples and sculptures about the religious cults that arose in India at one time or another.
For the convenience of scientists, guides and tourists, all Ellora caves are numbered in the order in which they were built. Naturally, it will be most convenient to describe them by numbers, but first of all, you should still focus on the monolithic (!) Kailasanatha Temple, located at the top of the Kailasa Mountains. The thing is that this is the largest and most interesting temple, so we will talk about it first of all.

The temples are carved out of rock with many passages. Almost all the caves are viharas (residence, dwelling, monastery), which the monks used for study, meditation, as well as for such mundane activities as eating and sleeping. As you explore these caves, you will notice how their halls gradually increase in size and acquire a more sophisticated style.
The caves in Ellora are a whole ensemble of magnificent temples, statues, columns and sculptures.

Kailasanatha rock temple (Kailash)

It was created over a hundred years in the 8th century and was carved from a single monolith, but not, as usual, something is built from the bottom up, but from the top down and from the sides! The temple, decorated with magnificent carvings, symbolizes Mount Kailash, considered sacred by representatives of four religions - Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bon adherents, the “heart of the world”.

In particular, followers of Hinduism revere Kailash as the mountain where Shiva’s abode is located. Initially, the temple was even whitewashed, specifically to give it a resemblance to a snow-capped holy mountain.

Buddhist caves(also called Vishwakarma Caves) are the earliest of the Ellora caves and date from 500 to 750 AD. Interestingly, the caves become larger and more beautiful as you move to the north side. Scientists explained this by the growing need to compete with Hinduism, because already in 600 the first Hindu temple appeared here.

Photograph of the sculpture at the southern end of the veranda of the Indra Sabha Ellora Temple. The interior of this two-storey cave-pillared Mandapa hall with niches on three sides and a sanctum in the middle of the rear wall, shows carved figures of the Jain goddess Ambika with a child on her lap and a lion. The columns are carved with intricate foliate garland motifs.

Hindu monasteries of Ellora are completely different from Buddhist caves, both in terms of style and decoration. These caves were carved from top to bottom and shaped in several stages. There are 17 caves in total, carved between 600 and 870 years.

They occupy the central part of the rock, grouped around the famous Kailasa temple. Unlike the solemn and serene Buddhist caves, the walls of Hindu monasteries are covered with living bas-reliefs depicting the events of their Hindu scriptures. All of them are dedicated to the god Shiva, but there are also images of Vishnu and his various reincarnations.

Jaina Caves- the youngest in the Ellora complex and date back to 800-900 years. They are located 2 kilometers to the north, where an asphalt road leads. They reflect the distinctness of Jain philosophy and tradition, including strict asceticism along with elaborate artistic design. These monasteries are not as large as Hindu and Buddhist ones but contain exceptionally detailed artwork. Amazing paintings that once completely covered the ceilings of temples have been partially preserved here.

The architectural cave complex in Ellora can rightfully be called one of the wonders of the world. The skill of the ancient architects was appreciated by UNESCO, which included the caves on the World Heritage List.

Kailasanatha Temple: “Top of the World” »

The highest cave temple of Kailasanatha was created by craftsmen at the direction of the Indian Raja, who was part of the legendary Rashtrakuta family. Modern architects claim that this sanctuary was built according to a plan verified to the smallest detail. Historians who have studied ancient documents that have survived to this day say: “The Kailasanatha Temple was of utmost importance: it was the gateway to heaven and represented an intermediate link between man and higher powers.”

At the top, workers dug a deep trench in the stone, which would allow carvers from all sides to create passages into huge halls. At the same time, craftsmen carved out the roof of the “top of the world” from above. From this we can conclude that initially a kind of well was dug, and only then all the work was carried out in it.

If you look at the architectural elements of the Kailasanatha Temple, you can even assume that its style is reminiscent of Dravidian. True, it only reminds... The huge sanctuary is unique in its kind. Both its plan and construction method are unique.

Created in the 8th century, this temple, perfect in form, is very unique in its construction technique. In the gentle slope of the mountain, the builders cut a trench in the shape of the letter P, surrounding the monolithic block, and then sculpted the temple from it like a giant statue. The length of the excavation was 87 m, the width was 46.9 m. The external dimensions of the temple itself were 61x33.2 m, the width of the entire complex together with the side caves exceeded 90 m, and the maximum height of the temple was 29 m. It is almost equal to the Parthenon in area and in 1.5 times higher than it. The building was carved from top to bottom simultaneously with sculptural decoration of complex and exquisite forms, so that the temple seemed to stand at the bottom of a huge pit. The creators of Kailasanatha followed ancient construction treatises, in which the proportions and relationships of parts of the building in height were calculated to the smallest values.

At the very beginning of the material it was said that it is not yet possible to explain, thanks to what technologies it was possible to carve Kailasanatha in the rock. Calculations by modern experts shed light on the difficulties that ancient workers had to face in the 8th century. To completely complete the construction of the temple, which was dedicated to Shiva, more than 400,000 tons (!) of rock had to be hollowed out and removed from the site. It is even impossible to imagine how many people were involved in the construction of the “top of the world.”

Kailasanatha, according to the architect's plan, was divided into three parts. In addition to these three parts, you can count a huge number of additional rooms, each of which is dedicated to a specific deity. In the temple you can see a sculpture of Shiva himself, a multi-armed demon named Ravan, who, according to the cult, was the ruler of all dark forces.

If you carefully examine the entire sanctuary, which, by the way, can take several hours, you can even conclude without the help of a guide: the temple was built for a long time and conscientiously. Not a single smooth surface: all the walls at Kailasanatha are covered with patterns that, upon closer inspection, appear three-dimensional. Just look at the figures of sacred lions and elephants, made by sculptors with attention to the smallest details.

The temple consists of a small pavilion for the sacred bull Nandi - the “vehicle” of Shiva, which is entered from the gate along a high plinth, and the temple part itself, where the hall for worshipers - the mandapam and the main sanctuary - the garbha-griha are located along one axis. In the twilight of the hall, one can see preserved reliefs and paintings from different times, as well as an image of dancing Shiva on the ceiling. You can see the temple from the outside only by walking around it clockwise through the courtyard surrounded by caves.

The Indian temple of Kailasanatha, even if you look at its facade, fascinates and puts the traveler, whom the roads have led to India, into a state of silent stupor. It is a particularly magical sight at sunset. As soon as the sun goes down to the horizon and many shadows appear from the carved figures, it seems that they are about to come to life and begin to offer prayers to Shiva.

This visual effect is not accidental: most likely it was carefully thought out and brought to life by an unknown architect. The fact that it was one person has already been proven thanks to a copper tablet found in an ancient cache. But his name is still reliably hidden by the veil of time. It will not be possible to describe in words all the decorative elements of the temple in one material: moreover, it is even almost impossible to collect photos of Kailasanath on one page, which would give a complete picture of all the splendor of this Shaivite sanctuary.

Lingam - - sign, mark, sign - in Hinduism the main non-anthropomorphic symbol of Shiva in the temple

The grandiose temple of Kailasanatha, unique in its expressiveness and fabulous in its richness of design, kept the main symbol of God - the swayambhu lingam, the phallic sign of Shiva, demonstrating his life-giving energy. On the flat roof of the Kailasanatha temple there is a huge lotus carved with two rows of petals and figures of lions. The symbolism of the lotus is complex and varied; here he most likely conveys the ancient cosmogonic image of the creative womb. Leos, apparently, refer to the complex image of Shiva-Shakti or the androgynous Shiva-Ardhanari as a representation of the Absolute through a female-male pair of opposites.

But the temple of Kailasanatha (Lord of Kailash), carved from a monolithic rock and symbolizing the sacred Mount Kailash, the Himalayan abode of Shiva, another important Hindu god, is considered a true masterpiece of world significance. The image of Shiva dancing and setting the entire Universe in motion with his dances was called by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin “the most wonderful image of rhythmic movement in the world.”

Buddhist caves are designated in many guidebooks as numbers 1-12. Each number of caves is, as mentioned above, a kind of temple. However, if you carefully study all of them in order, the conclusion suggests itself that these are not separate sanctuaries, but a temple complex. For example, Ellora caves numbered 1 and 5 are the most common cells for monks, where they rested after a hard day spent working, praying and meditating. Buddhist cave number 2, in which you can still see sculptures of the keeper of earthly treasures and the patroness of children, was most likely used by the monks for long meditations. If we try to highlight one of the most interesting caves in which the Buddha was worshiped, then it would probably be cave number 6. It is in it that the figures of the Buddha and his disciples, Tara and the goddess Mahamayuri, who in Buddhism patronizes learning, are best preserved to this day .

2.Cave

People worshiped a 3.3m Buddha statue in cave 10. heights in teaching pose (viyakhana mudra).

11. Caves. Cave number 11 is of particular interest. Until 1876, no one knew that it also had a third tier, which for some unknown reason was skillfully disguised by builders or Buddhist monks. No one doubts that the “eleventh” cave was undergoing reconstruction. After the Buddhists abandoned it, they tried to convert the cave into a Hindu temple. However, for unknown reasons, the Buddha statues remained in their places, only on the back wall were images of the deities Ganesha and Durga. It is these two representatives of higher powers that belong to the Hindu religion.

One of the largest and architecturally interesting buildings in Ellora is the Buddhist temple of Tin Thal with a strict, majestic facade, the beauty of which is especially enchanting from the side of the courtyard. The structure has three floors, which is very rare in cave architecture. The area of ​​each floor is approximately 800 sq. m. m. On the first floor there is a multi-columned hall with a central sanctuary and small sanctuaries on the sides. On the second there is also a sanctuary in a niche, and, in addition, a magnificent gallery with relief images that tell the story of the life of the Buddha and his teachings in plastic language. The third floor was intended for the residence of monks, and therefore three of its sides are occupied by small cells

The Ellora sanctuaries appeared at a time when cave architecture, having reached the pinnacle of development, was declining, which was caused by the collapse of large empires and the movement of Buddhism outside India. By this time, the temples no longer resembled their ancient Buddhist prototypes, which were based on the ideas of detachment and contemplation characteristic of the life of hermits. New principles and canons, associated primarily with Hinduism, brought gods and people closer together, and therefore temples, embodying the ancient mythical image of the world mountain, became the center where the above-ground, earthly and underground spheres converged. They make us think about the deep attention to the problems of human life in Indian religions.

Even more extensive is the Dasavatar Hindu Temple, dedicated to the ten avatars (descensions to earth) of Vishnu, one of the main Hindu deities. The area of ​​the second floor here reaches 928 square meters. m. Such an increase in the size of cave temples was an innovation for that time: the area of ​​the largest cave temple of antiquity in Karli (1st century BC) barely exceeds 500 square meters. m.

There are the most Hindu caves in the Ellora temple complex: 17. They are numbered from 13 to 29. They are surprisingly similar to Buddhist caves, among them there are cells for monks, halls for meditation, communication with the god Shiva and refectories. The main difference is that among the numerous sculptures you will not find Buddha: most often in the Hindu caves of Ellora there are images of Shiva and other deities belonging to this cult.

It is simply not possible to describe all the caves built before the end of the 8th century, each of which is unique in its own way. The main thing that will be interesting to know for a tourist who is going to visit the largest and most interesting temple complex on our planet is that the number of Hindu temples includes the legendary “roof of the world” Kailasanatha. It, like all Ellora caves, has its own number - 16. Most tourists who come to this mysterious and mysterious place immediately head to “number sixteen”.

The “roof of the world” in India was described in more or less detail in the middle of the material. However, in this subsection, I would like to add that according to the assurances of local guides, who are getting their information from nowhere, the construction of cave No. 16 lasted a century and a half, and more than 7,000 people took part in its carving. This statement cannot be taken seriously, the point is that 7,000 people (three generations) simply could not have time to cut and carry out 400,000 tons of rock in a century and a half: and this is not counting the huge number of patterns and sculptures for which it is famous throughout the world. peace of Kailasanatha.

16. Cave. Main temple of Ellora, see above

29. Cave. Dhumar Lena. Hindu temple.

Five caves numbered 30 to 34, in which the Jain cult flourished for a short period of time, pale before the grandeur of Hindu and Buddhist temples. Only cave number 32 may be of interest to a tourist. In it, one can get an idea of ​​Gomateshvara, a Jain religious cult, and the importance it placed on meditation. It preserves a completely naked sculpture of a deity in a state of deep meditation. So deep that time has no power over it: the dangling legs are entangled in vines, and under the sculpture itself images of scorpions, snakes and even animals are visible.

All other caves belonging to the Jain cult remained unfinished. True, it is worth noting that the servants of this religion at one time tried to create something similar to Kailasanatha. A miniature copy of a Shaivite temple, which was never fully completed, is located in cave number 30. If you count the number of Jain caves in Ellora and examine their interior, you can confidently say that Gomateshvara, Parshvanatha and Jina Mahavira were worshiped in India for only a short time.

32. Jaina Cave.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Indra Sabha Jain temple is the powerful pillars that support the ceiling. Tall, square in cross-section, they seem to rest on pedestals covered with an elegant pattern, so that it seems as if a trunk grows from a vase with plants, which ends in a rounded capital. The walls of this two-story temple are decorated with sculptures of tirthankars (Sanskrit “who created the crossing”) - religious teachers and preachers of Jainism; it is richly decorated with carvings and stucco.

Before visiting the Ellora Caves, you should remember that they are all listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and are constantly under protection. All that is allowed on the territory of the cave temple complex are excursions, during which you can take stunning photos of the Ellora caves. Taking “pebbles” from this mystical place as souvenirs is strictly prohibited: tourists are accompanied almost everywhere by guards, who, by the way, are quite difficult to distinguish from local tourists or guides. They reveal themselves only when an unlucky traveler tries to break the rules of staying in the Ellora caves.

The cave complex, which consists of temples and a huge number of sculptures, is open from sunrise to sunset. There are no time restrictions. As soon as the first rays of the sun illuminate the attraction, which is almost on a par with the Golden Temple and the Bodhgaya Temple, it is considered the most visited place by tourists in India, entry into its territory is allowed. After sunset, according to current rules, only their caretakers have the right to be in the Ellora caves

The cost of the tour is only 250 rupees, which is quite a bit when you consider how much the Indian government is spending on preserving the largest cave temple complex in the world. “How to get to the Ellora Caves?” is a question that a tourist might ask if he only learned about this amazing place in India. The easiest way to get to the temple complex is from a city called Aurangabad, located 40 kilometers from the caves. By the way, this city has an airport, so even if a traveler has arrived in Delhi, he will be able to cover the distance between the capital of India and Aurangabad in a short period of time.

Cave temples in Ellora Caves

The Ellora temples are located in the state of Maharashtra and arose during the era of the state of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, which in the 8th century united the western part of India under their rule. In the Middle Ages, many considered the Rashtrakuta state to be the greatest state. It was compared to such powerful powers as the Arab Caliphate, Byzantium and China. Official science believes that the Ellora Temples were created between the 6th and 9th centuries AD. However, independent researchers, taking into account the nature of the construction and the high-tech design of the rocks, attribute the date of construction to an older period, approximately 8,000 BC.

Total in Ellora exists 34 temples and monasteries, carved into a monolith of one of the Charanandri mountains, are a true embodiment of the achievements of Indian cave architecture. Each Ellora cave is unique and beautiful, and each one contains a piece of the soul of the Indian people. The interior decoration of the temples is not as dramatic and ornate as that of the Ajanta Caves. However, there are sophisticated sculptures of more beautiful shapes, a complex plan and the size of the temples themselves are larger. And all the reminders have been much better preserved to this day. Long galleries were created in the rocks, and the area of ​​one hall sometimes reached 40x40 meters. The walls are skillfully decorated with reliefs and stone sculptures. Temples and monasteries were created in the basalt hills over half a millennium (6th-10th century AD). It is also characteristic that the construction of the Ellora caves began around the time when the holy places of Ajanta were abandoned and lost sight of.

These caves were created as Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples and monasteries, called viharas and mathas, between the 5th and 10th centuries. Thus, 12 out of 34 caves are Buddhist sanctuaries, 17 are Hindu and 5 are Jain.

Previously, it was believed that the Buddhist part of Ellora (caves 1-12) was built first - in the 5th-7th centuries. But later research showed that some Hindu caves were created in earlier times. So, this part, for the most part, consists of monastic premises - large multi-level rooms carved into the rock, some of which are decorated with images and sculptures of Buddha. Moreover, some sculptures are carved with such skill that they can be confused with wooden ones. The most famous Buddhist cave is the 10th cave - Vishwakarma. In its center stands a 4.5 meter tall Buddha statue.

The Hindu part of Ellora was created in the 6th-8th centuries and is made in a completely different style. All the walls and ceilings of the premises in this part are completely covered with bas-reliefs and sculptural compositions of such complexity that sometimes several generations of craftsmen worked on their design and creation. The most striking is the 16th cave, which is called Kailasanatha or Kailasa. It surpasses all other caves in the complex in its beauty. It is rather a real temple carved into a monolithic rock.

The Jani caves were created during the 9th-10th centuries. Their architecture embodied the religion’s craving for asceticism and simplicity. They are larger than other rooms, but despite their simplicity, they are not inferior to them in uniqueness. So in one of these caves, Indra Sabha, an amazing lotus flower is carved on the ceiling, and on the upper level there is a statue of the goddess Ambika, sitting astride a lion among mango trees hung with fruits.