Ajanta-Ellora is one of the major heritage sites in India. This place of tourist attraction in India is located in the neighborhood Aurungbad, a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The nearest urban settlement near Ajanta-Ellora is Jalgoan, situated just 60 KM away from Ajanta-Ellora.
Ajanta-Ellora houses the shrine, made by cutting the rock by hand. Among all the archaeological specimens of India Ajanta-Ellora holds a very important place. Number of caves in Ellora is more than that of Ajanta. Ellora has got a total number of 34 caves and Ajanta has 29 caves in it. This is an interesting fact that the existence of these caves were unknown to the Mughal and Pathan rulers of India.
The caves of Ajanta and Ellora were discovered only during the British rule. John Smith an army officer of the British army chanced upon the site during a hunting expedition in the year 1819. Presently the caves of Ajanta have been designated as one of the World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. The paintings on the walls of the caves of Ajanta are considered as perfect specimens of the ancient artistic legacy of the world. This site has been preserved with a view to enrich and inspire the lives of the people of the progeny.
The 29 caves of Ajanta were built as a safe retreat of the Buddhist monks. These monks carved out on the walls of the caves of Ajanta, the impressive figures of Buddha. Many caves of Ajanta-Ellora also depict the stories of Jataka. Other images carved on the wall of the caves of Ajanta-Ellora include the figures of nymphs and the princesses. Ellora caves were carved into one side of baslatic hill. These caves show the finest specimens of cave-temple architecture.
The caves in Ellora have their exquisitely decorated interiors. The caves of Ellora are the finest specimens of the temple architecture. Finest specimens of temple architecture can be found in these caves. The temple structures of Ellora represents the architectural style of 3 different religions Jainism , Buddhism and Hinduism. These temples were carved out in the period between 350AD to 700AD. Five caves on the north are dedicated to Jainism, seventeen in the center are dedicated to the Hindus and 12 caves to the south of Ellora are made following the Buddhist architecture. Do not miss to visit Ajanta-Ellora during your tour to India.
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