ELLORA CAVES, MAHARASHTRA

Manshi
M.A English
Amity University Gurugram
Introduction
• Heritage means what we inherit from our ancestors and from our
past.
• The heritage of India is the result of developments in the social ,
economy , culture and life style of people.
• The land and people are two component of heritage.
• In this presentation I am going to talk about the last great cave
temples of India i.e, Ellora Caves (group of 34 monasteries and
temples )
 Ellora Caves
• Located in the Maharashtra, the site is about
300 kilometers northeast of mumbai, has been
designated as world heritage site by UNESCO.
• Built by Rashtrakuta and Yadav dynasty. These
"royal" caves were hewn in the vertical basalt
cliff of the Charandri hill (Sahyadari Hills)
sometimes around 630-1000 AD. Some sources
state that some caves are older – from 550 AD.
• Witness to three great religions -Buddhism, Maharashtra
Hinduism and Jainism
• 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves being
located here side by side.
• Illustrate the spirit of tolerance, characteristic of
ancient India, which permitted these three
religions to establish their sanctuaries and their
communities in a single place, which thus
served to reinforce its universal value.
Buddhist Cave
◦ The first group of shrines were created by Buddhists of
Mahayana branch. These are caves numbered from 1 to
12 and were built in 630 – 700 AD (some sources state
that in 400 – 800 AD).
◦ Depicts Lord Buddha in various poses.
◦ Cave 2- This cave is a large chamber supported by 12
pillars lined with the sculptures of Buddhas.
◦ The doorway is bounded by a muscular Padmapani
and a bejeweled Maitreya who is known as the Future
Buddha.
◦ Cave 5- Known as the Maharwada Cave as it was used
by the local tribes of Mahar as shelter during monsoon.
Hindu Caves
º Some of Ellora’s Hinduist shrines are older than some
Buddhist caves. Local rulers were more supportive to
Shaivism – a trend of Hinduism devoted to Shiva – thus
also Ellora got exquisite shrines devoted to Shiva.
º Numbered 13 – 29 and built in 550 – 780 AD (other
sources state that in 600 – 900 AD).
º Embody carvings of the Hindu Gods- Shiva, Vishnu,
Durga, Parvati and animals.
º Cave 14 - Ravan ki Khai (Excavation of Ravan) is
different from the Buddhist temples, having a front aisle
of 4 pillars, 12 columns enclosing a central hall and,
beyond, a shrine standing by itself at the end of the hall.
º South wall has Shaiva sculptures; the north wall has
Vaishnava (i.e. pertaining to Vishnu) sculptures,
representations of Durga, Lakshmi, the Varaha or boar
incarnation of Vishnu, etc. Inside the shrine is a figure of
Durga. 
º Cave 15 is the Dasavatara cave.
Jain Temples
o Created in times when local rulers were more inclined
towards Jain religion, Digambara branch. Jain caves
form a distinct group, numbered from 30 to 34, created
sometimes around 800 – 1000 AD.
o Most remarkable Jain shrines are the Chhota Kailash
(cave 30), the Indra Sabha (cave 32) and the Jagannath
Sabha (cave 33).
o Cave 30 (Chhota Kailash) – smaller version of Kailash
Temple with beautiful pillars.
o Cave 32 (Indra Sabha) - two storied cave with one more
monolithic shrine in its court. It has a very fine carving
of the lotus flower on the ceiling. [background]
o Cave 32 (Jagannath Sabha) - the second-largest Jain
cave, which depicts the major idols are
of Parshvanatha and Mahavira, the last
two Tirthankaras in Jainism.
THANK YOU