Caves in Maharashtra
Caves show cases the legacy, arts, trends and multicultural aspects of India. Maharashtra in Western India is amongst those states adorned with rich cultural heritage. In the earlier many saints, seers, and sages have practiced ideals, and spirituality. As the result of their findings and experiences, these saints used to inscribe those thoughts on the walls of the caves which from the times immemorial can still be traced in the form of paints and sculptures. These caves are centuries old but the Buddhists caves are just few hundreds year younger. The Caves of Maharashtra are as follows:
Ajanta and Ellora Caves: The Ajanta and Ellora are the pride of Maharashtra. These caves show their presence from 100 BC. But the Buddhists caves found here are spanned between 5th to 11 centuries. There are 30 caves with chapels, prayer rooms and big halls. From the images imbibed on the walls, the travelers can easily track the culture and some holy verses. The symbols on the walls show that various Hindu kings, spiritual sages and disciples visited these caves to perform penance and spread enlightenment to different parts of the world. The paintings and sculptors from the life of Buddha can be traced here at Ajanta and Caves. The important teachings from his life are still visible on the walls and ceilings of these caves. These caves are enlisted amongst the world’s heritage sites by UNESCO. The village of Ajanta is in Sahayadri hills which are about 99 kms and a few kilometers away from Arunagabad.
Ellora Caves: Ellora caves consists of Hindu caves, Jain caves and Buddhists caves. There are around 34 caves. Carved out of the the vertical hills, Hindu caves are surely amongst the oldest caves, followed by Jain and then Buddhists. Unlike Ajanta caves, Ellora caves were never re-discovered. Consisting of temples and marvelous monolithic statues, pilgrims have been visiting these caves from many centuries. Most of the caves found here show their presence from the year 5th century to 11th century AD. In the Ancient times these caves were known as Verul. Ajanta and Ellora caves are enlisted amongst the world’s most protected heritage sites.
Buddhist Caves: 5 th century to 7 th century AD Caves 1 to 12 at the southern end Hindu Caves: 8 th century to 10 th century AD Caves 13 to 29 in the middle Jain Caves: 9 th century to 11 th century AD Caves 30 to 34 at the northern end
Elephanta Caves: 9 nautical miles away from the gateway of India in Maharashtra lies the Elephanta caves. The Elephanta caves are adorned with the statues of Lord Shiva and various other deities. The statslue showing Shiva as the generator, operator and destructor is worth the view to behold. Blessed with the rock cut temple, the ships, boats and ferry services regularly commute to these caves. On Monday, these caves remain closed.
Pitalkora caves: Not as famous as Ajanta Caves, the Pitalkora caves were first discovered by the British officials. The detailed information about these caves was first published in the publications of 1853. Although with the passage of time some of these caves have lost their identity over the time. Due to the regular climatic repercussions, the inscriptions on the pillars, sculptures and statues were washed off. Cave number 1, 2 and 3 are still lending the centuries old remains. The cave numbers 2 and 4 have been divided by pillars. Dividing the two halls, the one hall was prevalent of the Buddhists architecture and other consisted Jain sculptures. The travel enthusiasts can also trace the prayer halls with in the precincts of the caves. The best paintings are in Cave 3. Here the visitors can behold the view of Buddhists celestial images. The pillar number 10 and 11 are amongst the unique findings at these caves. The basements steps lead to the inner sites lying with in the caves.
