The two tourist visitor centres located at the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves have had to temporarily close their doors due to outstanding water and electricity bills. Reportedly, these arrears have piled up to an enormous sum of ₹5 crore, prompting the Maharashtra government’s decision to shut down the centres until further notice.
Ajanta Caves: A Historical Overview
Nestled within the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) on the Waghora river near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, Ajanta is renowned for its series of rock-cut caves. This Buddhist monument consisting of 29 caves was developed between the years 200 B.C. to 650 A.D., under the patronage of the Vakataka kings with King Harishena being a prominent one. Out of the total, 25 of these caves were used as Viharas or residential quarters and the remaining 4 served as Chaitya or prayer halls.
The Artistry of Ajanta
These caves are celebrated for their fresco paintings. Interestingly, the outlines of these paintings were done using a red colour, and there is a noticeable absence of the colour blue in any of them. The themes of these paintings predominantly revolve around Buddhism, featuring depictions of Buddha’s life and Jataka stories.
| Quick Facts about Ajanta Caves | |
|---|---|
| Number of Caves | 29 |
| Used as | Viharas and Chaityas (residential quarters and prayer halls) |
| Time of Development | 200 B.C. to 650 A.D. |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site since | 1983 |
Ellora Caves: A Fusion of Religions
Approximately 100 Kms away from the Ajanta caves, within the same Sahyadri range, are the Ellora Caves. Unlike Ajanta, these demonstrate a cultural melange with a total of 34 caves representing Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jain traditions. They were developed between the 5th and 11th centuries A.D. by various guilds from Vidarbha, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and hence showcases diversity in theme and architectural styles.
The Remarkable Kailasa Temple
The cave that stands out in the Ellora complex is the Kailasa (Kailasanatha; cave 16), named for the mountain in the Kailasa Range of the Himalayas where the Hindu god Shiva resides.
Sahyadri Range: The Abode of Ajanta and Ellora
The Western Ghats, known locally as Sahyadri in Maharashtra, Nilgiri hills in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Anaimalai hills and Cardamom hills in Kerala is the chain of mountains marking the western edge of the Deccan plateau. Comparatively higher in elevation and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats, their average elevation is about 1500 m. Anaimudi (2695 m), the highest peak of Peninsular plateau is located on the Anaimalai hills of the Western Ghats followed by Dodabetta (2637 m) on the Nilgiri hills. Most of the peninsular rivers such as Krishna and Cauvery have their origins here.
UNESCO Recognition
Ajanta and Ellora caves were each designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 1983, acknowledging their exceptional contribution to India’s cultural history.