Relics of a bygone era
Ajanta and Ellora caves throw light into a vibrant period of our ancient history.
Who wouldn’t like to savour the majesty, vivacity and the intricate craftsmanship that have gone into the making of great sculptures and paintings centuries ago? Ajanta and Ellora, off Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, are the perfect sites for such a trip. Ajanta that is believed to date from second century BC is about 100 km away from Aurangabad and is a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site along with Ellora, which is 30 km off from Aurangabad and dates back to 6th century AD.
Protected by Archeological Survey of India, the Ajanta cave depicts Buddhist religious art. There are in all 26 caves that are open to visitors. Each cave is unique in its architectural plan and is characterised by long alleys with tall pillars (stupas) and mural paintings depicting the life of Buddha. The ceilings also have paintings based on Jataka tales, now very faded. Some of the caves have monk cells with stone beds carved out of rock. The sanctum in cave 21 shows Buddha in a preaching posture and there are pillars with Nagaraja and Nagarani at the entrance of the cave. On the left aisle of cave 26, one can see Mahaparinirvana — the dying Buddha. Some of the caves in Ajanta are incomplete.
Comprising of 36 caves, Ellora was excavated over a period of 600 years. Caves in the linear arrangement comprise different religious worship centres belonging to Buddhist, Hindu and Jain orders. Ellora caves are marked by the magnificent Kailasa Temple, carved out of a single hill rock, that forms the greatest attraction of this cave complex.
Heading straight from the main entrance one would reach this marvellous monolith structure, which is one of the oldest temples in the country. One is left awestruck by the magnificient effort that has gone into the making of Kailasa Temple. The sculptures inside the temple, including those of elephants, are stupendous. The other attractions at Ellora include three-storeyed structures carved out of rock formation.
On the way from Aurangabad to Ellora is the famous Ghrushneshwar Temple, where you can find one of the twelve Jyothirlinga in the country.
Two other important sites that should not be missed during the visit to Aurangabad is Daulatabad Fort belonging to the 14th century and Bibi Ka Maqbara. The historical triangular fort of Daulatabad was built by the first Yadava king Bhillama V in 1187. From 1327, it famously remained the capital of the Tughlaq dynasty, under Muhammad bin Tughluq, who also changed its name. Tughluq was constantly known to shift the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and Daulatabad to Delhi. The strategic positioning of the fort makes it different from other forts in the country and one is left wondering what amount of thought had gone into its positioning and making. There is a durbar inside, apart from dark alleys and cannon sheds.
The Bibi Ka Maqbara is a tomb located in Aurangabad, which is another attraction. It was commissioned by Aurangzeb’s son Azam in the memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum. It bears a striking resemblance to the famous Taj Mahal.
Taxi drivers charge Rs 2,700 for taking one to Ajanta caves from Aurangabad, which is a one-day affair. For other site visits, it costs Rs 1,700 for taxi. There is a viewpoint for Ajanta caves from where one can trek down to the caves to avoid rush at the main counters during peak days. The walk takes roughly 20 minutes.