On this year's World Heritage Day, I was at two World Heritage
sites: Ajanta and Ellora.
Ellora, to me, is more special than Ajanta.
Ajanta is only Buddhist. Ellora is Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jaina - the three major faiths of India. Ellora is thus a symbol of religious harmony - that we so much crave for these days - during 05-10 CE when the Ellora caves were cut into the vertical rock face of Charanandri hills in Aurangabad district.
Of the 34 Ellora caves, 17 are Brahmanical, 12 Buddhist and 05 Jaina.
Brahmanical cave 16, the Kailasnath Temple, is a wonder of workmanship and architecture. It is "one of the greatest monolithic sculptures of the world." It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, as are the other Brahmanical caves. In the corridor at the rear of the main shrine are icons of Shiva pantheon.
Buddhist cave 10 is among the best of the 1200 Chaitya temples - a shrine or a prayer hall with a Stupa at one end - built in India. The cave's facade, the flying gandharwhas for example, is exquisitely carved and much admired.
Cave 32 is the most notable Jaina cave. Jaina at Ellira developed a distinct style of their own by blending the Buddhist and Brahmnical styles of architecture, sculpting and painting as exemplified by the sculpture of Sidhayika in cave 32.
Ellora caves are spread over two km distance. A ferry bus is available but much walking is required. A bit tough in hot weather. Visit in Nov-Feb - my advice.
Ellora, to me, is more special than Ajanta.
Ajanta is only Buddhist. Ellora is Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jaina - the three major faiths of India. Ellora is thus a symbol of religious harmony - that we so much crave for these days - during 05-10 CE when the Ellora caves were cut into the vertical rock face of Charanandri hills in Aurangabad district.
Of the 34 Ellora caves, 17 are Brahmanical, 12 Buddhist and 05 Jaina.
Brahmanical cave 16, the Kailasnath Temple, is a wonder of workmanship and architecture. It is "one of the greatest monolithic sculptures of the world." It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, as are the other Brahmanical caves. In the corridor at the rear of the main shrine are icons of Shiva pantheon.
Buddhist cave 10 is among the best of the 1200 Chaitya temples - a shrine or a prayer hall with a Stupa at one end - built in India. The cave's facade, the flying gandharwhas for example, is exquisitely carved and much admired.
Cave 32 is the most notable Jaina cave. Jaina at Ellira developed a distinct style of their own by blending the Buddhist and Brahmnical styles of architecture, sculpting and painting as exemplified by the sculpture of Sidhayika in cave 32.
Ellora caves are spread over two km distance. A ferry bus is available but much walking is required. A bit tough in hot weather. Visit in Nov-Feb - my advice.
'Siddhayika,' the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Jaina cave 32
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