the wall of the basalt cliff. These unique and complex artistic creation dates back to 600 to 1000 A.D. bringing civilization of the ancient India to life. Ellora Caves are famous for being the largest single monolithic excavation in the world. Several water streams flow from over the Charanandri hills, the most famous among them being the Elaganga which eventually falls into the Shiv – a stream of the Godavari River.

Another important aspect of Ellora Caves is its devotion to the various forms of religion such as Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain. This is evident from the art in the series of caves dedicated to each of these religions. There are 12 Buddhist caves (caves 1 to 12), 17 Hindu caves (caves 13 to 29), and 5 Jain caves (caves 30 to 34). This symbolizes the harmony and equality that was prevalent even in those times.

Unlike the Ajanta Caves, the Ellora Caves are peculiar in that they never lost awareness about them from the time they were built. This was because of their close proximity to the trade route.

The Ellora Caves were built during the times when Buddhism was descending in India and Hinduism was beginning to flourish again. This happening was at its peak under the empire of Chalukya and Rashtrakuta emperors. These reigns saw majority of the cave building activity however, the activity began before Rashtrakuta arrived in the region. The last building activity of the caves took place in the 10th century when the then rulers switched from Hinduism to Jainism.

1: The Buddhist Caves
Caves 1 to 12 are the Buddhist caves which were built in between 5th and 7th centuries A.D. The Buddhist caves are also called Vishvakarma caves. Except cave 10, all other caves are viharas or monasteries which were used for meditation, study, communal rituals, and routine activities like eating and sleeping.

Amongst all the Buddhist caves, cave 10 is the most famous one. Cave 10 is a chaitya hall and is popularly known as the “Carpenter’s Cave” (Sutar ka Jhopada). This is because its ceiling has been carved out to give the impression of wooden beams. At far end, at the end of the cave is a 15-feet statue of Buddha enthroned in a preaching pose (vyakhyana mudra) with a large Bodhi tree on the back side of the statue.

From the remaining caves, caves 1 to 9 are monasteries, cave 11 is known as Dho Tal (Two Floors) and cave 12 is known as Tin Tal (Three Floors). Dho Tal has a long assembly hall lined with the columns on the top floor. Tin Tal cave also has a magnificent hall with the walls of the room lined up with five large bodhisattvas. Further, it is flanked by seven Buddhas, symbolizing each of his previous incarnations.

2: The Hindu Caves
Caves 13 to 29 are the Hindu caves and were built between the mid of sixth century and the end of the eighth century. The Hindu caves occupy the centre of the cave complex. The most notable caves from these are cave 15 and cave 16.

3: The Jain Caves
Caves 30 to 34 are the Jain caves and their evolution belongs to the ninth and tenth centuries. The Jain caves resemble aspects of Jain philosophy and tradition reflecting a strict sense of asceticism accompanied with exceptional detailed artworks. Spectacular paintings are still visible on the ceilings of these caves.

These caves comprise of some remarkable Jain shrines such as Chhota Kailash – cave 30, the Indra Sabha – cave 32, and the Jagannath Sabha – cave 33. Cave 31 is an unfinished shrine which is basically a four-pillar hall. Cave 34 is a small cave, which can be entered in through an opening on the left side of Cave 33.
Preface:

In the early 19th century (year 1819) some British soldiers were out hunting in the Deccan plateau. One of them suddenly saw, from a height, a horseshoe rock; His curiosity aroused by the entrance of a cave. The hunting party ventured across the ravine of the Waghur River. And they discovered several caves, against which bush, shrubs earth and stones had piled up. Goatherds for shelter were using a few.
The Government was informed about this finding and soon the Archaeologists began excavate them. Many experts have been restoring them during the last fifty years. The shock of discovery was worldwide.
All the rock-cut caves had paintings on verandahs, inner walls and ceilings, these revealed some of the most beautiful masterpieces of world art.
In the grottos were also symbolic Buddhist mounds called Stupas, and cells for monks called viharas. There were giant sculptures of Buddha's, Bodhisattvas (potential Buddha's), or Taras (female Buddhist divinities), as also dwarapalas (doorkeepers).
Later, an inscription was found of King Harisena ('moon among princes'), of the Vakataka dynasty of the 5th -6th century A.D. in cave No.17. It seems that the local Vakatakas had relations, thought marriage, with the great Gupta kings of the north.

                           The Dashavatara
This is cave 15 and was started as a Buddhist monastery. The upper floor of the cave has some of the finest sculptures illustrating different avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu and hence the name of the cave is Dashavatara.

The Kailashnath or Kailasa
This is cave 16 and the most notable and most visited of all. However, it is not a cave in actual. But a splendid temple of Lord Shiva carved out of a single solid rock. It represents Mount Kailash, the dwelling place of Lord Shiva and hence it is called the Kailashnath or Kailasa. It is believed that Rashtrakuta king Krishna started the construction of this temple and it took about 100 years of human effort to complete it.

The Other Hindu Caves
Amongst the other notable Hindu caves is the cave 21, also known as Rameshvara. It has illustrations of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna at the entrance. Then there is cave 29, the Dhumar Lena whose design is very similar to the cave temple on the Elephanta Island which is near Mumbai. Cave 14 is knows as the Ravan ki Khai and cave 22 is known as the Nilkantha. These caves also have several sculptures. The rest of the Hindu caves, which include cave 25 - the Kumbharvada and cave 27 - the Gopilena have no significant sculptures as such.

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