History of Ellora

Located 30 km from Aurangabad city in Maharashtra, Ellora is an archeological site that showcases the finest rock-cut caves in India. Certified as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, Ellora is renowned worldwide for its monumental caves built between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. Indianholiday offers online guide on History of Ellora.

One of the most sought after historical destinations in Maharashtra, Ellora is home to several Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples and monasteries. The History of Ellora dates back to the 5th to 10th centuries, during the Chalukya-Rashtarkuta rule. There are a total of 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves in Ellora. These caves are perfect embodiments of the religious harmony that prevailed in India during that period.

According to the History of Ellora India, the 34 Ellora caves were carved out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. Consisting mainly of viharas or monasteries, these caves were usually huge, multi-storied buildings that included living chambers, sleeping chambers, kitchens and other rooms.

Also part of Ellora history is the fact that the Buddhist Caves, built during the 5th to 7th centuries, were among the earliest structures in Ellora. Most important among these caves are Cave No. 10 or Vishwakarma Cave, Cave No. 11 or Do Tal, and cave No. 12 or Teen Tal. The Hindu caves in Ellora were built in the beginning of the 7th century. The most important Hindu cave is Cave No. 16 or the Kailasha Temple, which was designed to recall Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva. Carved out of a single piece of rock, this magnificent architectural splendor resembles a multi-storied Dravidian temple complex.

The History of Ellora in Maharashtra India also mentions that the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta rulers of the 7th to 10th centuries were the main patrons of the cave temples of Ellora. Many kings and merchants donated huge sums of money for the constructions of these caves.