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Cave 32-Indra Sabha-First Floor-III
anilpradhanshillong Says: The upper storey of this temple has 12 very richly-carved pillars which are a treat to watch. It consists of a huge hall with plenty of Thirthankara (a person who has achieved enlightenment) images. There is a shrine here also with the statue of Lord Mahavira in a seated...
Cave 32-Indra Sabha-Ground Floor-II
anilpradhanshillong Says: In a small cave on the ground floor is a statue of Lord Mahavira with two fly whisk-bearers, one on each side. In the verandah are two finely-chiselled statues, one is of Siddhayika, the Jain Goddesses of wealth and prosperity, seated on a lion while the other is of Matanga,...
Cave 32-Indra Sabha-Courtyard-I
anilpradhanshillong Says: This cave, also known as the Indra Sabha, is the most important shrine belonging to the Jain religion in Ellora. From a distance itself, the structure looks imposing owing to its two-storied façade. A huge recently-restored pillar greets you the moment you step into the...
anilpradhanshillong Says: Though all the caves at Ellora are architectural marvels, the Kailasha Temple or Kailashnath is the apotheosis, the culmination of their artistic wizardry. The multi-level temple with its pyramidal form seeks to replicate Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. It is the...
anilpradhanshillong Says: The rooftop of this temple is equally spectacular. You come out of the structure, turn left and take a narrow trail that leads you up a steep path to the top. Keep well away from the edge of the trench and climb to the very top. The scene from up there is panoramic. You can...
anilpradhanshillong Says: Most of the paintings have faded away but the ones that remain, or rather, fragments of the ones that remain, testify to the skill of the painters. The one of the heads of elephants is singularly beautiful as are a few remnants on other subjects. Though the colours used are...
anilpradhanshillong Says: There are two flights of steps, one on either side, that lead up to the main shrine. Here, the Shivlinga is in one place, the Nandi bull is in a room across the air-bridge. Various sculptures adorn the walls while faded paintings, still looking striking, may be discerned in...
Kailashnath-Circumambulation - II
anilpradhanshillong Says: Inside the courtyard, the two sides reveal the trenches that were dug out to free the central mass of stone. To your left is a huge sculpture of an elephant and a little beyond a huge pillar. As you walk along, the recessed portion affords places to rest while the...
anilpradhanshillong Says: The cave is called Vishwakarma and has the only stupa (burial mound wherein some important relic of Buddha lies) in Ellora. It is a double-storied structure with a wide verandah on the first floor. Two shrines welcome you in the courtyard itself.There is an imposing statue...
smirnofforiginal Says: The Anjanta Caves, also an UNESCO World Heritage Site, are older than their twin (Ellora Caves), dating from the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD. The fall of the caves of Ajanta are actually due to Ellora and were actually forgotten about until a British hunter...
smirnofforiginal Says: We got talking to somebody working here and we really believed he understood that our children were very ill and needed a meal with no spice. It is for this reason we ordered the food and paid the money in advance of dinner. Having being given a guided tour and seen the...
Spotlessly clean: Hotel Kailas
smirnofforiginal Says: Very clean and organised, air conditioned & polite staff. For those qualities you pay a little extra but it is very much worth it. The menu is extensive and the food is taste. There are a few western options should you be fed up with curries or nursing an unsettled...
From Aurangabad to Ellora and back
MalenaN Says: Once again I took an auto rickshaw from the hotel to the bus stand for Rs 20 (June 2010). The fare to Ellora was Rs 21 and it took almost 45 minutes. If you are on the bus and see it pass the road to Ellora, don’t worry. It just goes in to a village, makes an U-turn and...
smirnofforiginal Says: Aurangabad has a small domestic airport. Jet Air and Kingfisher definitely fly in and out. Spice Jet do not. Aurangabad also has a train station and trains arrive from several destination, including Mumbai which is proably the most convenient point of departure.I took the...
Helpfulness
We do not usually make use of guides- but at Ellora we were very glad that we accepted the invitation of a very old man that was sitting outside one of the Hindu Caves.His face was old, but his eyes were bright and intelligent.
He has lived in this area all his life, and had an amazing amount of historical and religious knowledge, which he shared with us.
Because there is little or no light inside the caves, it is quite difficult to see the wall-carvings.
We were intrigued by the fact that he was carrying a very large mirror- but very soon this mystery was cleared. He drew us into the entrance of the cave, and positioned the mirror so that it perfectly reflected the rays of the afternoon sun into the cave. Instant light and clarification. This , once again, proved that in India- anything is possible. They are very inventive people.
Updated Oct 24, 2011
lynnehamman Says: Ellora is Monkey Paradise. In all of India I have never seen so many in one place, and observed such cheeky behaviour. I guess these cuties have been so spoiled by tourists at Ellora that they now reign supreme.They actually came right into our cottage- en famille, and...
Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Very comfortable walking shoes... touring the caves will feel like walking a hiking trail.
A hat to shield you from the sun.
Light clothing as it gets quite hot in Ellora.
Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Tissues and disinfecting wipes in case you have to use the toilets.
Sun block for those sensitive to the sun.
Photo Equipment: A camera stand if you wish to take sharp photos of the dark interiors.
Miscellaneous: Plenty of chilled drinking water and a packed lunch or snacks, such as nuts or dried fruit.
If you are interested in the details, then research the caves in advance. Most guidebooks do no explain the significance of each cave and its artwork in great detail.
Updated Mar 14, 2010
lynnehamman Says: While visiting Ellora Caves, it is a good idea to travel 2 hours north and also visit the Ajanta Caves. The complex is not as extensive as Ellora, but Ajanta has magnificent religious paintings on the cave walls, that have been well preserved. The statues and intricate stone...
MM212 Says: A formidable defence structure, the Daulatabad Fort occupies a hill that overlooks the surrounding plains of the Deccan Plateau. Originally called Deogiri under the Yadava dynasty's rule, the Fort fell into the hands of the Delhi Sultanate in 1328. Its conqueror, Mohammed...
anilpradhanshillong Says: Tips:1. Good pair of walking shoes.2. Carry plenty of water & a few eatables.3. Carry a torch. Some caves are rather dark inside.4. Take a tripod along as no flash allowed inside the caves. A shutter release cord is a bonus.5. Place camera on even surface of floor of the...
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Religious Harmony at Ellora Caves
We had seen a documentry on these caves at Ellora, and were determined to see them........they were just breathtaking. We intended to originally stay for 2 days, but ended up spending 11 days there,...
Ellora is 30km from Aurangabad and is a delightful and friendly little village. Most unusual for India, Ellora is a quiet place and a seemingly small population... a most welcome break from the hustle...
Extreme Reverse Engineering – The Ellora Caves
Elapura or Elura or Verul or Ellora is a collection of about 34 caves and a few temples, barely 30 kms from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Along with Ajanta and Elephanta, it makes up the trio of places...
The cave temples of Ellora, listed among the World Heritage sites, are 30km northwest of Aurangabad. They feature rock-cut caves with beautiful temples and monasteries. There are 34 caves in all, 12...
One of numerous sites in India with rock-cut cave-temples and monasteries, Ellora easily ranks top. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains 34 such caves, carved into an escarpment between the 6th......
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