Standing in the shadow of The Taj Mahal you miss a heartbeat. The first time ever you see the white marble of such grandeur architecture, takes your breath away. If you have ever pondered where this beauty of Indian architecture came from, simply look back in time:
You need to look back to a time that predates British colonial rule to understand where inspiration and influence could have originated from. It's thought the rock cut caves date as early as the 6th century. There are three main lots of Caves, each lot represents a different time and religion: Buddhism, Hinduism and Jain.
There is more to the location and history other than religion. There is romance too, in abundance when your imagination returns you to those centuries past. Feelings are the same when you walk around the Hampi site, another story of ancient India. It's the idea you create:
You can "see" them walking around, going about their daily life. So, artwork has been a part of human history since the first line in the sand was drawn. And the ancient writings you see, the sculptures carved in rock, those are what play with your emotions.
Many scholars and historians agree it's the ancient Buddhist religious artwork of these caves that may have had the greatest influence on India's architecture style.
The historic site hosts 30 odd caves, as explained:
A larger system or complex comprising of a monastery, temple and monument making it whole and complete. This complex is evenly balanced between all three faiths and beliefs. Three very different Indian royal dynasties were responsible for the creation, beginning with Buddhism and followed by Hinduism, ending with the 9th century. There was a short period of Jain influence, which explains why there are so few of their caves.
It's our suggestion you arrive as early as you can, to have more of the day to enjoy the site. Walking around it will take you many hours to fully appreciate all the different caves, monasteries and temples in great detail. At some point you'll stroll into cave number 16 and come across the renowned Kailasa Temple. The significance of this is Hindu temple is that it's one of India's most beautiful, impressive cave temples: an architecture wonder.
What strikes you the most is the engineering required to have hewn such a masterpiece out of this volcanic rock. It's on the same level of feat as the Egyptian pyramids, or the Great Wall of China. That's what immediately jumps into your thoughts, at least. It shows you a better side of human accomplishment, which is spellbinding. You must climb to the top of the hill, externally of the cave temple. Doing so gives you views down onto the top of the temple from above, before climbing back down to enter the cave.
From inside the cave, you reach the temple base before you can ascend its different, varied levels. It's so easy to lose a few hours in this one cave, the largest of them all. At 38m tall, the height looking down from the top most level is dizzying, try not to do that. After leaving the cave and moving on you ask yourself how it is possible. That's almost 1200 years ago, when today it would be a huge undertaking, even with computer modeling and advanced machinery.
The Ellora Cave Complex is 30km from Aurangabad City, and the only sensible way of getting to the city is via a domestic flight. What you could do is to fly into the city late in the evening and rest in a hotel for the night. The next day, visit the site early only to return late afternoon and fly back to where you were originally holidaying. Of course, if you want to visit the Ajanta Caves also, you may need to leave Aurangabad much later.
103km west of the Ellora Caves you will find the Ajanta Caves. Whilst the Ellora Caves do receive a lot of tourists, the Ajanta Caves are seen as significant as those of the Ellora Caves Complex. Although there are 30 individual caves, they are not as impressive as those of the Ellora site. There is no "big ticket" item that stands out, like how the Kailasa Temple does.
What is impressive however is each cave has its own sculptures, murals and ceiling paintings. First discovered by the British in the early 1800's, since then the Ajanta Caves have shone a light into India's ancient art. The paintings are a living memory of India's artistic flair and grandeur.
Whereas the Ellora Caves are less than 60 minutes (by bus) from Aurangabad City, the Ajanta Caves are over two hours away. You can go by motorbike, private taxi as well as by bus. A typical bus ticket could be as little as US$10 per person, and there are bus services leaving as early as 08:30 hours.
The best time is during India's cooler season which happens to be between November and the following February. The months of May, June and July (maybe August) are the hottest.
Rock cut caves have played relevance and importance throughout India's history, where the caves are felt to hold a level of sanctity. All over India there must be at hundreds of caves carved out for Buddhism and hundreds more for Hinduism. Our travel guide only touches the tip of what must be a gigantic iceberg, with the most famous Ellora and Ajanta Caves.
As we stated at the beginning of our guide the architecture seen today in India's top cities stems, we strongly feel, from these early carvings and sculptures so many centuries past. It figures you may feel the same ― arrive at the same understanding after visiting the caves? The caves are world renowned, and year-round they attract thousands of visitors daily so surely your interest is piqued.
If, in any way history and culture captivates you, then you must, of course, go. You must visit, because now your appetite has been whetted. Mumbai is the nearest major metropolis to the caves and there can be no better city to base your holiday vacation from.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.