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Ajanta Caves & Ellora caves

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Ajanta Caves

  1. Ajanta is a series of rock-cut caves in the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) on Waghora river near Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

  2. First mentioned by Chinese pilgrim Hiuen tsang. 

  3. Discovered by the British officers while hunting in 1819.

  1. Total 29 caves; 5 caves are Chaitya-grihas & rest 24 are Viharas.

  1. Discovered by the British officer while hunting a tiger in 1819 AD.          

  1. The caves were developed in the period between 200 B.C. to 650 A.D.

  1. Caves are carved on a perpendicular cliff hence no courtyards

  2. All 3 forms of Art are combined in these caves: Architecture, Sculpture, Paintings

  3. Caves depict a large number of incidents from the life of the Buddha (Jataka Tales).

  4. Were first mentioned by Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (He did not visit them though)

  5. Cave no. 9 & 10 attributed to Satavahana Kings.

  6. The figures in these caves were done using fresco painting

The caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. 

Ellora caves

  1. It is located nearly 100 Kms away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra.

  1. Representing 3 major religion of India- Hinduism,Buddhism & Jainism.

  1. Total 34 caves.

  2. 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu Caves & 5 Jaina Caves 

  3. Lies on ancient trade route- ‘Dakshinpatha‘.   

  4. All 3 forms of Art are combined in these caves: Architecture, Sculpture, Paintings

  5. Unique in terms of stylistic eclecticism, i.e. confluence of many styles at one place

  6. Ajanta also has the excavated double story caves but at Ellora, the triple story is a unique achievement.

  7. Ellora cave temples were carved out on the sloping side of the hill. Hence most of the temples have courtyards.

  8. Cave no.16 is a rock cut temple, known as ‘Kailash leni‘ – carved out of a single rock built by Rashtrakutas.

  9. The Ellora complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.