Aurangabad Caves
Buddhist caves
The city Aurangabad is also famous for the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves.Ellora Caves are situated at a distance of 29-30 km from the city. The cave 1 to12 having the Buddhist carves.All the Buddhist caves were constructed between 630-700.
Cave no.10 is most famous Buddhist caveit is also known as Vishvakarma cave. Beyond its multi-storeyed entry is a chaitya hall, it follows the pattern of construction of Caves 19 and 26 of Ajanta. At the heart of this cave is a huge15-foot statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose.
The Hindu caves
The Hindu caves were constructed between the middle of sixth century to the end of the eighth century. All these structures represent a different style of creative vision and execution skills. Some were of such complexity that they required several generations of planning and co-ordination to complete.
The Kailashnatha
Cave 16, also known as the Kailasanatha, is the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora. This is designed to recall Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva – looks like a free standing, multi-storeyed temple complex, but it was carved out of one huge single rock.Initially the temple was covered with white plaster thus even more increasing the similarity to snow-covered Mount Kailash.
All the carvings are done in multilevel. The courtyard is covered by columned galleries of three storeys high.Originally flying bridges of stone connected these galleries to central temple structures, but these have fallen due to time impact.
As in traditional Shiva temples, the first is a huge sacred bull Nandi in front of the central temple. The central temple called Nandi Mandapa stands on 16 huge pillars. The base of the Nandi Mandapa has been carved to suggest elephants are holding the structure.A bridge made up of rock connects the Nandi Mandapa to the Shiva temple. The temple having tall pyramidal structure likea South Indian Dravidian temple.The complete temple with pillars, windows, rooms, halls, and an enormous lingam at its heart carved from living stone, is carved with niches, pilasters as well as images of deities,erotic male and female figures and other figures.There are two Dhvajastambhas in the courtyard.The beautiful structure of carve attract many foreign tourist as well as Indian tourist to the Aurangabad. One is also treated to a panoramic view of the city as well as the imposing Maqbara from this point.
