Kanheri Caves

Kanheri Caves are a simple ones which doesn’t have those ornamental carvings. The caves have dated 1st Century to 9th AD. Each cave has a stone plinth used as a bed. There was a congregation hall which has a Buddha Stupa in the centre of it - the Buddhist Shrine.

Towards the hill there is the Ancient water system with canals and cisterns which channelized the rain water into a tank. Inside the caves you will see an elaborate carvings of Buddha and Buddha reliefs on the caves. There are many statues of Buddha on the outer walls and magnificent statues of Goddess Tara and Goddess Brute on the top. The art work on the walls actually give you an insight into the lives and practices of Buddhist monks. Most of them are the viharas or the study centers where students used to carry out their studies. One hundred writings have been found in this caves. These writings are in Devnagiri, Brahmi and Palllava scripts.

Photo courtesy: binoygupta

Elephanta Caves

There is this dark cave on a small island, houses one of the most alluding example of rock - cut architecture known as Elephanta Caves. It was dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can find the cave temple , about 75mts above the jetty level, follows the pattern of the Dumar Lena Cave in Ellora.

It has six pillars at its entrance, four of which are free standing and two are fixed. The entrance leads to the hall decorated with sculptured panels depicting legends from ShivPurana (Epic of the Lord Shiva - Lord of Destruction).

At the four corners of the main mandapa are the famous wall panels showing Shiva in many moods. You will notice across the hall is the representation of, Kalyanasundaram, the marraige of Shiva and Parvati. You will be amaze with the centerpiece there which is the triple - headed figure of Shiva as Maheshwara or Lord of the Universe.

Photo courtesy: travel-notes

The Ellora Caves

Ellora has 34 caves with intricate interiors and ornamental facades. The 12 Buddhist Caves depict Lord Buddha in various poses. The 17 Hindu Caves embody carvings of the Hindu Gods- Siva, Vishnu, Durga, Parvati and animals. The 5 Jain caves include figures of the Jain saints. The most fascinating structure is the magnificient Kailash Temple hewn out of a single rock and is three storeys high. The grand sculpture of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva, with his full might is a landmark in Indian art.

The Ellora caves, 34 in number, are the finest specimens of cave temple architecture. These structures reflect the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, and were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. . The interiors of the cave are exquisitely adorned.

Photo courtesy: static.flickr

The Ajanta Cave

The Ajanta caves are dedicated solely to Buddhism. The caves including unfinished are thirty in number of which five (9, 10, 19, 26 and 29) are "Chaitya-Grihas" and the rest are "Sangharamas" or Viharas (monasteries). Cave 26 by far is most magnificent and has some ornate sculptures. The Ajanta Caves are well known for their fresco paintings. The 30 Chaityas and Viharas have paintings, which illustrate the life and incarnations of Buddha. The interiors are enhanced by a variety of paintings on the ceiling that include geometric patterns, floral and ornamental motifs, a variety of animals, birds and plants.

These 3rd-century caves are fine achievements by Buddhist monks and are considered the finest masterpiece of Buddhist art and architecture.The caves are cut from the volcanic lava of the Deccan and are set in beautiful blooming surroundings. These historical manmade caves comprise of beautiful paintings on the walls and ceilings that depict the life of the Buddha. At Ajanta, the paintings on the walls, illustrate the events in the life of Gautama Buddha.