Ellora Caves

INDIA, Maharashtra, Aurangabad

The Ellora Caves are located approximately 30 km northwest of Aurangabad city in Maharashtra state. The 34 caves are cut from a 2 km scarp of volcanic hill along a north-south axis. They are numbered from south to north, with the Buddhist caves comprising Caves 1 to 12. The Buddhist caves are the oldest at the site; they date from the years 450 to 700. Caves 13 to 29 are Hindu and date from between the years 650 and 900. The northernmost ones, Caves 30 to 34, are Jain and were created sometime between 800 and 1100. This monumental site is primarily the heritage of the Chalukya (circa 6th–11th century) and the Rashrakuta (circa 782–985) periods. Because they were close to a major trade route, the caves received support and visitations from many devotees and travelers over the centuries. They were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
The Buddhist caves of Ellora are considered to be the last of the major Buddhist caves created in India. Caves 5, 10, 11, and 12 are the most remarkable. Cave 5 is one of the largest vihara caves, with a main hall containing 24 columns. Two low stone benches extend along the center of the hall, and the side walls contain 20 cells. Cave 10 is the only caitya hall among the caves. It has an open courtyard with a three-sided cloister on the lower story and balconies on the upper story. The balconies are carved with balustrades, and the facade is decorated with a caitya window, imitation wooden beams, and exquisite reliefs. Caves 11 and 12 are large three-story vihara caves. Conforming to a later model of vihara caves, they contain both shrines and monastic cells. The relief images within these caves reflect the iconography of the later Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.