David Kotz

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  2. 2009

Ellora

The Ellora caves are an absolutely incredible experience. From 100 A.D. to 1200 A.D., sculptors carved Buddhist monasteries, and entire temples (Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain) into the side of a mountain. They worked top down and outside in, carving the black basalt, then coated the carvings with plaster and detailed paintings. Unfortunately, little of the plaster and paint remains (but see Ajanta!). The amazing Kailasa temple starts at photo 29 below.
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  • Ellora

    Ellora

    Ellora: We started at the oldest (Buddhist) caves.

  • Ellora: Modern walls and steps provide access.

    Ellora: Modern walls and steps provide access.

  • Ellora

    Ellora

    Mara at Ellora caves. It must be a lot of work to carve deeply into the black basalt!

  • Ellora: Buddha, in his teaching pose.

    Ellora: Buddha, in his teaching pose.

  • Ellora: Buddha's hands indicate he is teaching.

    Ellora: Buddha's hands indicate he is teaching.

  • Andy in Ellora caves. Most of the sculptures were larger than life.

    Andy in Ellora caves. Most of the sculptures were larger than life.

  • Andy and Mara at Ellora caves. This is a Chaitya, a shrine and gathering place.

    Andy and Mara at Ellora caves. This is a Chaitya, a shrine and gathering place.

  • Mara and Andy explore the Ellora caves.

    Mara and Andy explore the Ellora caves.

  • Ellora: Some areas seemed unfinished.

    Ellora: Some areas seemed unfinished.

  • Ellora: Cave 2, from 8th century A.D.

    Ellora: Cave 2, from 8th century A.D.

  • Andy and Pam at Ellora caves, examining one carved entryway; upper-left corner has a huge beehive.

    Andy and Pam at Ellora caves, examining one carved entryway; upper-left corner has a huge beehive.

  • Ellora: a beehive - covered in bees - above a cave entry.

    Ellora: a beehive - covered in bees - above a cave entry.

  • Ellora: A group of Muslim schoolchildren visit the caves.

    Ellora: A group of Muslim schoolchildren visit the caves.

  • Ellora

    Ellora

    Ellora: schoogirls.

  • Ellora: schoogirl.

    Ellora: schoogirl.

  • Ellora

    Ellora

    At Ellora caves, a schoolteacher asked us to pose for a photo with his group.

  • Ellora: Cave 10, from the 7th century A.D., is two stories.

    Ellora: Cave 10, from the 7th century A.D., is two stories.

  • Ellora: The columns are purely for show, not for structure.

    Ellora: The columns are purely for show, not for structure.

  • Andy and Pam at Ellora caves. Cave 10; note the fake wood beams carved into the ceiling, just for style.

    Andy and Pam at Ellora caves. Cave 10; note the fake wood beams carved into the ceiling, just for style.

  • Ellora: the caves were later used by squatters who carved holes in the pillars (to hitch up their animals).

    Ellora: the caves were later used by squatters who carved holes in the pillars (to hitch up their animals).

  • Ellora: Andy demonstrates the use of a Monk’s bed, one of many such cells.

    Ellora: Andy demonstrates the use of a Monk’s bed, one of many such cells.

  • Andy at Ellora caves. Cave 12 (9th century A.D.), a three-story structure.

    Andy at Ellora caves. Cave 12 (9th century A.D.), a three-story structure.

  • Ellora: bats currently reside in Cave 12, on the ceiling.

    Ellora: bats currently reside in Cave 12, on the ceiling.

  • Ellora: interior of Cave 12.

    Ellora: interior of Cave 12.

  • Ellora: in many places the rock had veins of quartz, malachite and other minerals.

    Ellora: in many places the rock had veins of quartz, malachite and other minerals.

  • Andy and Mara pose with a family group at Ellora caves -- one of the many families who stopped us for a photo opp.

    Andy and Mara pose with a family group at Ellora caves -- one of the many families who stopped us for a photo opp.

  • Ellora

    Ellora

    Ellora groundskeepers; UNESCO designated Ellora a World Heritage Site, providing funds for maintenance and protection.

  • Ellora groundskeeper: what a great smile.

    Ellora groundskeeper: what a great smile.

  • Ellora

    Ellora

    Ellora: WOW! an entire Hindu temple carved out of the mountainside, top down and outside in.

  • We visit Ellora caves; hawkers are thicker than flies.

    We visit Ellora caves; hawkers are thicker than flies.

  • Ellora

    Ellora

    Ellora: It is impossible to capture the awesome scope of the temple from any one spot.

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