Ellora caves are one of the best specimens of rock-cut architecture in India. They are situated at a distance of approximately 30 km from Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra. The caves represent one of the largest rock-hewn monastic-temple complexes in the world. Of the 34 famous caves at Ellora, caves 1 to 12 belong to Buddhism, 13 to 29 are Brahmanical (Hindu) caves and the rest - caves 30 to 34 are Jaina (Jain). In case you want to know more about Ellora caves, make use of the fun and interesting facts provided below.
Interesting & Fun Facts About Ellora Caves
- Ellora caves are locally known as ‘Verul Leni’.
- The Great Kailasa (Cave 16) at Ellora boasts of being the largest single monolithic excavation in the world.
- Ellora caves have been hewn out of the volcanic basaltic formation of Maharashtra, known as ‘Deccan Trap’.
- The caves are datable from circa 6th-7th century A.D. to 11th-12th century AD.
- The hills that have served as the venue of Ellora caves form a part of the Sahyadri ranges of the Deccan. These ranges date back to Cretaceous era of the Geological time scale (about 65 million years ago).
- There is inscriptional evidence related to Rashtrakuta Dynasty, on the back wall of the front mandapa of Cave 15.
- The Great Kailasa (Cave 16) is attributed to Krishna I (c. 757-83 A.D.), the successor and uncle of Rashtrakuta Dantidurga.
- Caves 1 to 10 and Cave 21 (Ramesvara) are generally attributed to the Kalachuris of Mahismati.
- Brahmanical caves and two Buddhist caves (caves 11 and 12) are attributed to the Rashtrakuta times.
- The style of execution and fragmentary inscriptions of the Jaina caves hint to their origin being post the reign of Rashtrakutas.
- Ellora caves are open from sunrise to sunset all days of the week, except, Tuesday.
- The Great Kailasa is a freestanding, multi-storied temple complex, built to resemble Mount Kailasa - the abode of Lord Shiva.
- Dashavatara cave (Cave 15) at Ellora depicts the ten avataras of Lord Vishnu.
- The entrance of Ramesvara cave (Cave 21) is adorned with figurines of River Goddesses - Ganga and Yamuna.
- The design of Dhumar Lena (Cave 29) is similar to the cave temple on Elephanta Island, near Mumbai.
- Buddhist caves mostly consist of viharas or monasteries, which include living quarters, sleeping quarters, kitchens, and other rooms.
- Vishwakarma cave (Buddhist cave 10) is also known as "Carpenter's Cave" and houses a 15 foot statue of Buddha, seated in a preaching pose.
- Amongst all Buddhist caves, the first nine (caves 1-9) are monasteries, while the last two - Do Tal (cave 11) and Tin Tal (cave 12) have three stories.
- The Jain caves at Ellora stand adorned with exceptionally detailed art works.
- Chhota Kailash (cave 30), Indra Sabha (cave 32) and Jagannath Sabha (cave 33) are the most remarkable Jain caves.
- Ellora caves, in combination with Ajanta caves, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
