Ellora Caves

Ellora caves are in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. Ellora showcases the experiments that had carried out by Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks some 600 to 300 years back. It is believed that the structures were carved between 350 AD to 700 AD. There are 34 temples in total carved out of stone at Ellora, which can be divided into three eras - Buddhist, Hindu and Jain.

It took over five centuries in scooping out these monasteries, temples and chapels. The Hindu caves are a bit different from the Jain and Buddhist temples in creative vision and execution skills. Cave number 14 is a Shiva temple, depicting Him as a destroyer.

The Kailasnath temple, which is in the 16th cave, is known for its audacious feats in architecture. It is said that nearly 200,000 tonnes of rock had been removed in carving out this temple taking nearly 100 years. Its area is twice the area of the Parthenon in Athens and is 11/2 times higher. Mural paintings are found in 5 caves at Ellora.

Maharashtra government organizes Ellora Festival of Classical Dance and Music every year at these caves. Aurangabad is well connected by air, rail and road.

Kanheri Caves

The location of the Kanheri caves is so green with wooded hills and valleys, and it is at a distance of only 42 km from Mumbai. The architectures of this cave are regarded to be one of the finest in India. According to historians, these caves scooped out between 200 BC and 600 AD. The whole complex has 109 caves cut manually on the flank of a hill; each fitted with a stone plinth that evidently served as a bed.

There is a congregation hall supported by the huge stone pillars that has the Dagoba, a kind of Buddhist shrine. Kanheri is regarded as one of the world's great religious houses. There are a 20 feet colossal Buddha, an 11-headed Bodisattva (Buddhist saint) and a Nagaraja, an ancient pre-Buddhist serpent king who guarded the most famous Buddhist Chaitya hall1 in the caves.

The caves have an elaborate drainage system to channel excess water during the monsoon to the neighbouring Vihar, Tulsi and Powai lakes, which in turn are responsible for much of Bombay's water supply.

As Kanheri is just only 42 km from Mumbai, so tourists can take suburban trains from Churchgate.

Karla And Bhaja Caves

Karla and Bhaja Caves are located near Lonavala in Maharashtra. The Bhaja caves are regarded to be from the times of Hinayana phase of Buddhism, which is of 2nd to 1st century BC. These caves are also mainly Viharas and Chaityas and located just 3 km away from the main road amidst green surroundings. There is also a waterfall near the cave where tourists can refresh themselves with a dip. Lohagad and Visapur forts are not far from these caves.

Karla Cave is the largest Hinayana Buddhist chaitya (temple) in India built during Satavahana's rule. Karla is the best example of rock-cut architecture, which is believed to carve out from a living rock. Some of its 2000 year-old wooden beams are still alive. It takes nearly 20 minutes to climb up the steep way of the Karla caves. There is a 45 meter (148-foot) long Chaitya, possibly the finest of its kind in the country. A temple has been built recently built at the entrance using pillars from the Budhist period.

There is a sculpture of Buddha preaching seated on a lion-supported throne, which has magnificent carvings of three elephants. The pillars are adorned with motifs of elephants, men and riding women etc.

Nearest airport is at Pune, while nearest railway station is Malavli. Lonavla station, 10 km from Kalra is the most convenient base for visiting Karla and Bhaja caves.

Pandavleni Caves

Pandavleni caves are 2000-year-old, and it was built by the Jain Kings. It is a group of 24 Hinayana Buddhist Caves, which date back between 1st century BC and 2nd century AD. These caves are at a distance of 8 km from Nasik.

Amongst all, cave number 3 and 10 are the best. Cave number 3 has a large Vihara with fascinating sculptures, cave number 10 is also a Vihara, but it is much older and finer than the cave number 3. It is believed to be as old as the Karla Cave near Lonavala.

The cave has idols of Buddha, Jain Teerthankara Vrishabhdeo, and the icons of Bodhisatva, Veer Manibhadraji and Ambikadevi. These caves are popular meeting places for the disciples as well. There are also attractive water tanks that are very skillfully chiseled into the rock.

Nashik is well connected by road and rail with all the major places within and outside the state.

Pitalkhora Caves

Pitalkhora Caves, which dates back to 2nd century BC are only 40 km away from Ellora caves at Aurangabad. One can see here many unusual sculptures like Yaksa figures. The main gate has a wide terrace, with the naga and guardians flanking the door, and a row of elephants decorate the complex. A stair directly connects the entrance to the chaitya. A group of viharas, a chaitya hall, and two smaller caves across the gorge with stupas consist the complex.

Animal motifs, miniature chaitya windows, elephants, guardians, and yaksa figures can be seen as sculptures in this cave. The Pitalkhora chaitya is ageing, so the original pillars have been replaced with cement pillars to prevent a collapse. 5th century paintings can be seen on the surviving pillars.

Tourists can get down at Aurangabad and take a taxi to Pitalkhora, as it is the nearest place from these caves, which has got an airport and a railway station . Accommodation is available at the hotels at Aurangabad.