Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves Latest News

Scottish historian William Dalrymple wants the Maharashtra government to showcase the lesser-known sites at Ellora, including the last Ottoman Caliph’s empty tomb, Malik Ambar’s tomb, the first Peshwa’s tomb, and the Sufi and Naga traditions at the caves.

About Ellora Caves

• They are located near the village of Ellora in northwest-central Maharashtra.
• They are located 30 km northwest of Aurangabad and 80 km southwest of the Ajanta Caves. 
• Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, the Ellora Caves are an extraordinary complex of 34 rock-cut monasteries and temples carved into a high basalt cliff. 
• Spanning over 2 km, these structures date from the 6th to the 10th century CE and represent three major religions—Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. 
• The caves are adorned with sculptures that reflect the spiritual beliefs of the time.
• The sculptures range from depictions of deities, celestial beings, and mythological scenes to portraits of royalty and everyday life.
• The architectural brilliance of Ellora is most evident in the Kailasanatha Temple (Cave 16), the site’s grandest and most breathtaking structure.
  • It is one of the largest monolithic structures in the world. 
  • The structure is carved vertically from a single rock. It took 18 years to carve out the temple.
  • The temple features ornate pillars, detailed sculptures, massive courtyards, and elaborate carvings that depict stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• The Buddhist caves include large chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries), while the Jain caves are known for their intricate detailing and depictions of Jain Tirthankaras.

Source: TH

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