Tired of the same old holiday trips and lazing around in the lap of nature? Then a trip to Ajanta and Ellora caves, located in the city of Aurangabad, is sure to rejuvenate your soul as you walk through the rock cut caves back into the history to a time preceding the birth of Christ. Each cave is exquisite in its beauty and finesses with a structure strong enough to last centuries. It is also a famed UNESCO world heritage site which makes it even more alluring. In case you are not well versed with the intricacies of Ajanta and Ellora caves tour, read ahead to learn more about a whole day Ajanta Ellora sightseeing outing as well as private 2 days Ajanta and Ellora caves tour. Start with the beautiful city of Aurangabad Once you have decided to visit the Ajanta and Ellora caves, it would an immense loss if you fail to explore Aurangabad and all its tourist spots. You won't have to bear the burden of organizing a tour of the city of Aurangabad. Here is a list of places you shouldn't miss:
Ajanta and Ellora caves: A brief history Knowing a little about the history of these caves will make you truly appreciate the archeological marvel that they are. These caves were beginning to be built somewhere between the 2nd century and the 10th century panning through two different periods- the Satavahana period and Vakataka period. There are 64 ornate and sculpted caves on the whole. First-time visitors should remember that the caves remain closed on Mondays. The full day Ajanta Ellora sightseeing tour will definitely mesmerize you! Ajanta caves: Archeological Marvel Ajanta caves are famous for containing some of the finest Buddhist religious art. On the whole, there are 29 caves rock-cut to form monuments of exquisite beauty. The stunning paintings and sculptures adorning the walls of these caves are remarkable in capturing the nuisances of human emotions through elaborate gestures and expressions. These caves not only house Buddhist prayer halls, but even monasteries as well. As with any Buddhist monument, these caves too depict the life and death of Buddha, sculptures of Buddhist deities as well as a beautiful pictorial representation of the well-loved Jataka tales we have grown to love. Do check out the Mahayana caves for some interesting and colorful murals depicting the life of Buddha. Ellora caves: A Mesmerising Archeological Masterpiece There are over a hundred caves which were excavated at the site of Ellora caves. However, only 34 caves are accessible to the public. Of these 34 caves, five of them Jain caves, twelve of them are Buddhist and the remaining 17 are Hindu. The Hindu and most of the Buddhist caves were constructed during the reign of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, while the Yadava dynasty constructed the Jain caves. One of the most stunning caves is cave number 16 which is a chariot shaped carved and sculpted Kailasha temple. From different religions to panels containing murals depicting different scenes from the Indian epics, the Ellora caves are a sight to marvel at. One thing which must not be missed at all costs would be the 15ft gigantic Buddhist statue, which took over 5 centuries to construct and was made using 2lakh tonnes of stones. In fact, every Buddhist cave has a statue of Buddha. The Jain caves contain sculptures of Jain deities while the Hindu caves contain some eye-catching sculptures of Apsaras.
How to reach the Ajanta and Ellora Caves? Ajanta and Ellora caves are accessible through both bus and train. Ajanta caves are 100km away from Aurangabad while the Ellora caves are only 30km from there. It is quite accessible from Mumbai and Pune as well, two of the major Indian cities. Ajanta Ellora caves tour from Pune and Mumbai can be accomplished by rail. The nearest station is at Jalgaon station from where you will get local transport with ease.
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4/18/2023 12:23:32 am
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