Ellora Caves (Verul Leni), Bhadra Maruti temple and Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple from Aurangabad - Trip Day2
Timing: All day 6am to 6pm. TUESDAY ITS CLOSED
Entry Fee: Entry is Rs 40 for Indians and 600 for foreigners.
Average time spent: - Requires 4 to 5 hrs.
Parking: Pay Parking is available.
Washroom and Restaurants: Available
One day trip route:
One day trip route:
Best time to visit: From November to February. The monsoon season may be good.
Morning time is the best time to enjoy the serenity of the palace and also it's less crowded in the morning times.
Morning time is the best time to enjoy the serenity of the palace and also it's less crowded in the morning times.
MY ADVICE:
1. Wear light clothing. (It's way too hot in Aurangabad)
2. Carry cap, goggles, and umbrella. (Really helpful)
3. Always have a bottle of water. (Hydration is key)
4. Get some snacks to replenish energy. There are many beverage and food vendors at the entry gate. (So much to explore)
5. Visit Ellora caves with people who are willing to walk and explore (So much adventure). Wear good quality shoes. Girls, please avoid high heels.
6. The place is beautiful and good for photography so carry a good quality camera,
7. The best way to start is Cave no 31 ( Jain cave ) by Bus ( charges are 20 rupees) and get down midway for Cave no 21 and then caves at the entrance of Ellora Cave no 16 to 10.
Ellora, also called Verul or Elura, is the short form of the ancient name Elapura.
2. Carry cap, goggles, and umbrella. (Really helpful)
3. Always have a bottle of water. (Hydration is key)
4. Get some snacks to replenish energy. There are many beverage and food vendors at the entry gate. (So much to explore)
5. Visit Ellora caves with people who are willing to walk and explore (So much adventure). Wear good quality shoes. Girls, please avoid high heels.
6. The place is beautiful and good for photography so carry a good quality camera,
7. The best way to start is Cave no 31 ( Jain cave ) by Bus ( charges are 20 rupees) and get down midway for Cave no 21 and then caves at the entrance of Ellora Cave no 16 to 10.
Ellora, also called Verul or Elura, is the short form of the ancient name Elapura.
Ellora is located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments, and artwork. While Ajanta is famous for wall paintings, Ellora is famous for rock-cut architecture.
Caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to the public. These consist of 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29), and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves, with each group representing deities and mythologies, as well as monasteries of each respective religion. They were built in proximity to one another and illustrate the religious harmony that existed in ancient India. All of the Ellora monuments were built during Hindu dynasties such as the Rashtrakuta dynasty, which constructed part of the Hindu & Buddhist caves, and the Yadava dynasty, which constructed a number of the Jain caves. Funding for the construction of the monuments was provided by royals, traders, and the wealthy of the region.
Caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to the public. These consist of 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29), and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves, with each group representing deities and mythologies, as well as monasteries of each respective religion. They were built in proximity to one another and illustrate the religious harmony that existed in ancient India. All of the Ellora monuments were built during Hindu dynasties such as the Rashtrakuta dynasty, which constructed part of the Hindu & Buddhist caves, and the Yadava dynasty, which constructed a number of the Jain caves. Funding for the construction of the monuments was provided by royals, traders, and the wealthy of the region.
The most amazing is the Kailasa temple what is the world's largest monolithic sculpture.
Cave 16 (Kailasha Temple):
in particular, features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot-shaped monument dedicated to Shiva. The abode of Lord Shiva – looks like a freestanding, multi-storied temple complex. This temple is situated just in front of the main entrance. The Kailasha temple excavation also features the gods, goddesses, and mythologies from Hindu Epics. I can hardly imagine how people in the 8th century, using only hammer and chisel created such a masterpiece from the solid rock.
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| Manastambha |
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| Kailash Temple Shivaling |
Cave 15 (Dashavatar Cave):
The cave temple locally known as Dashavatara Temple because of the various incarnations of the Lord Vishnu depicted here
Cave 14 (Ravan Ki Khai):
The cave is locally known as Ravan ki Khai because of the sculpture of Ravana shaking the Kailasha Mountain.
Cave 12 (Teen Tal Cave):
This is a Buddhist Monastry and is known as "Tin Tal" because of its three floors.
Cave 18:
Cave 21 (Rameshvara Cave):
Figures of river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna are beautiful.
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| Ravan trying to shake Mount Kailasha |
Cave 22 (Neel Kanth):
Cave 23&24A&24B (Ganesh Cave):
23 and 24 are only garbh greh.
Cave 26:
Cave 27:
Cave 28: Closed
Expressively and uniquely engraved statues on the wall of the temple-style structure narrating an ancient tale of Hindu Gods and their legends. Beautifully carved individual statues ( which also includes some damaged ones) inside caves across the area and only a few surfaces have ancient natural colors intact struggling with weather.
A must-visit the place. I was astounded by the sheer size of this massive construction. That too at a period when there weren't advanced construction tools.
Note: Because of less time we couldn't visit Jain caves and few other caves but from google, I understand that -
Note: Because of less time we couldn't visit Jain caves and few other caves but from google, I understand that -
- Caves no. 1, 2, and 5 are mainly Buddhist Monastry and depict the life of Lord Budhha through sculptures.
- The northern end of the caves, a couple of kilometers far and mainly dedicated to the Jain Religion. Cave 32 is a two-storied structure with some wonderful sculptures of Lord Mahavira. There is a large-size stone elephant standing on the right side of the entrance. The upper floor which is an assembly hall is called the Indra Sabha because of its exquisite and detailed carvings.
Bhadra Hanuman Temple (Bhadra Maruti temple) at Khuldabad:
On the way to Ellora cave, we also visited The Bhadra Hanuman Temple at Khuldabad. It has a statue of sleeping, Lord Maruti. Temple is clean but the surrounding area is not at all maintained.- Photography is not allowed in the temple.
- Shops outside the temple sell delicious Chikki, you can try some.
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| Bhadra Maruti temple |
Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
We visited Grishneswar Temple (one of 12 Jyotirlingas) which is only one km away from Ellora Caves.- Mobile phones are not allowed inside the temple so we need to deposit outside for a nominal fee of 5rs per mobile.
- Photography is not allowed.
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Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga TempleOther Blogs |
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