Ellora Caves
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Ellora Caves, known locally as Verul, is an archeological site which is situated at about thirty-km from Aurangabad, in the Maharashtra state. It was built by the Rashtrakuta Dynasty and is designated as a World Heritage Site.
The site has thirty-four caves or structures which were excavated vertically out of the Charanandri Hills. They comprise of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples and monasteries which are believed to be built between the 5th and the 10th–Century.
The close proximity of these diverse religions demonstrates the religion harmony that was existent during that era of Indian History. The whole site extends over more than two-km in the wall of a high-basalt cliff. Prominent Hindu temples include The Kailasanatha (cave 16), which is a centerpiece in Ellora.
It was designed as to resemble Mount Kailash, which is the dwelling of Lord Shiva. Carved in a single rock, it is a multi-storied complex. Dashavatara Cave (cave 15) depicts the ten reincarnations of Vishnu. Buddhist caves mainly consist of monasteries.
Chaitya Hall (cave 10) is a well-known structure amongst these. Jain caves are not as large as compared to other structures here, but they are exceptionally detailed. Chhota Kailash (cave 30) is a prominent cave here.
Category: Caves
Address: Ellora
