There are a lot of places where you have to write something different and write it. A place that has been in Aurangabad for many years and its splendour is still intact, ELLORA CAVES. This is an architecture for which I had no choice but to write a separate blog. Having lived in Aurangabad, I had heard a lot about this cave but had never visited it. Finally came the day I had been looking forward to.
The Planning & Journey
I was planning to get fulfil my trip where I left last time. But didn’t get the chance. One night I decided to explore my incomplete locations in Aurangabad. I packed some food, safety kit included some medicines, my goggles, camera n extra T-shirt for emergency. Early morning before the sunrise I was on my way, I took few moments to see the sun get rises. Well I was traveling and had great sceneries around me. I am a proud traveller and passionate photographer so in that moment I was feeling top of the world.
Ghrishneshwar Temple
I had decided to go Ghrushneshwar temple first, because I am a spiritual person; at this age fortunately at least I was able to visit one Jyotirlinga temple from all of 12.
Nature is your best friend but spirituality makes it unbreakable bond just like worship. As I already introduced you about Aurangabad City & location around the city in previous blog, I would love to introduce you to the purest place in the journey of Aurangabad I visited, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, It is about 29 kilometres away towards north-west side of Aurangabad.
The temple also known as the Ghrineshwar or Ghushmeshwar Temple it means itself as “lord of compassion”. And which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga. This peaceful place is located almost walkable distance from Ellora also known as Verul. If you are visiting to Ellora its must to visit this fantastically magical place.
Ellora caves
Caves… A chamber which is made up of strong rock n has rock-cut designs in build, which enhances the beauty of the nature and creature.
Our Maharashtra is blessed with these unbelievable architecture which really embosses our culture, our history and our thoughts… after visiting Grishneshwar Temple I went to Ellora Caves. I was literally amazed by seeing the beautiful rock-cut designs inside of the chamber.
There are 12 Caves. And all were the greatest example of ideas and shared creative intensities of giving shape to one of the most stupendous works of art in the ancient India.
The Buddhist Caves of Ellora are numbered 1 to 5. All are consists of variety of cells called viharas. Like leaving area, sleeping area, kitchen, and each of the design was designed just to amaze.
Cave 1 has eight tiny monastic chambers and is a simple vihara.
Cave 2 is dedicated to Lord Buddha, reached through a flight of steps. A large central chamber supported by 12 great square pillars is lined with art of seated Buddha’s. Like, Muscular Padmapani, holding a lotus, and a bejewelled Maitreya, the Future Buddha.
Caves 3 and 4 are identical to Cave 2, although they are in bad shape.. As said by someone man is the creature and the destroyer by himself.
Maharwada Cave was named after the Mahar tribes who utilised it as a refuge during the monsoon season. This is a vihara and measures 117 feet deep and 59 feet wide. This cave might have been a site where Buddhist ideas were preached and learned. There are over 100 caves at the site.
These consist of 17 Hindu (caves 13–29), 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12) and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves, each group representing mythologies prevalent in the 1st CE, as well as representative of each respective religion. I was not aware to other two religion completely so first i went to Hindu caves. Afterwards i went to other two respectively. I read about their culture, their rules and devotion. But those things were completely new for me.
As I went to Hindu caves, I was amazed,
The Hindu caves were constructed during the mid-6th century to the end of the 8th century in two phases. Early in the sixth century, nine cave temples were discovered, followed by four more caves (caves 17–29). Caves 28, 27, and 19 were dug initially, followed by Caves 29 and 21, that were excavated simultaneously with Caves 20 and 26. The caves 17 and 28 were the latest to be begun.
The later caves, 14, 15 and 16, were constructed during the 8th to 10th centuries. These caves were completed in the 8th century with the support of king Krishna.
Construction in the early Hindu caves commenced before any of the Buddhist or Jain caves. These early caves were generally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. A common feature of these cave temples was a rock-cut linga-yoni within the core of the shrine with each being surrounded by a space for parikrama.
Cave 29, is one of earliest excavations in Ellora and among the largest. Early Hindu temple building in the cave centred on the “Vale Ganga”, a natural waterfall that was integrated into the monument. The waterfall is visible from a rock carved balcony to the south and has been described as “falling over great Shiva’s brow”, particularly during monsoon season.
The Journey Ends…
I was sitting and enjoying the view and energy with positive Vibe. I am very experimental when it comes to food, i tried their local food item specially the spicy and yummy shevbhaji with blended with the ground spices. The speciality of the food of verul is their taste never changed.
I sat there for almost 3hrs and wondering the talent of the creature of this huge and outstanding architecture even if after too many years the construction is not broken. The steady nature of the architecture is sign of strongest and dedicated nature of human brain.
I went back to my place with the sunset. And decided to come the same way. Cause, still Ajanta caves were waiting for me…
Nice Article & nice Photography 👌