Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

There are many worship halls(chaitya) and monesteries(vihara) dedicated to lord buddha. Many generations show their skills and art in 4 decades to create this masterpiece, which built in 2 phases. 1^st phase was in 2^nd century of BCE(Before Common Era)(under Hindu satavahana dynasty), and 2^nd phase in 400 to 650 CE(Common Era)(Maurya and gupta empire). Paintings were mainly done in 2^nd phase. There is total 29 caves carved in these 2 phases. These caves are built over Waghur river in “U” shape, which depicts the stories of birth, stories of nagaraja, birth stories of swan etc. Some caves are refurbished in 2^nd phase and some caves are incomplete. Every cave have a doorkeeper carved at the entrance of the cave.

There are total 29 caves out of them you can explore and experience 26 caves only. Many caves have their own names. Paintings of these caves are today known as portraits and 3D paintings, which were painted in 600^th century.

The main identity and attraction is buddhishtava Padmapani, easily visible in cave no. 1 which have 20 beautifully carved pillars.

4^th cave is the largest cave here, which have 28 beautiful and magnificently carved pillars. Few are 2 storied caves.

Cave no. 10 is a Hinayan Buddhist temple. This cave have around 40 carved pillars and stupa with buddha’s statue. Many caves have many paintings which depicts buddha’s life. The entrance of cave no. 16 is so beautiful and mesmerizing.

Cave no. 26 have 28 feet huge sleeping buddha(mahaparinirvan pose) carved at the left side of the entrance along with many buddhist lords. Last 2 caves are ruined and no proper route to reach there. Many buddhist monks come here for worship, they sit here and chant buddha’s name.

Ajanta caves are accidently discovered by british officer capt. John smith on his tiger hunting safari. Before him caves were well known by local people. He went to nearby village and call locals to cut the tangled jungle to enter in the cave. Later he writes his name and date by scratching the painting of a bodhisattva. Later on in a decade caves become very famous due to it’s impressive architecture and unique paintings. Wall paintings here predominantly narrate the previous birth stories of buddha.

Many caves were used as worship halls and few are used as stays for monks who came from different part of the world.

These caves were built close to each other and represents the religious harmony that existed in india. Because of the exceptional architecture of ancient india, Ellora caves are listed as UNESCO’s world heritage in 1983.

          Ellora name came from elapura which was the capital of rashtrakuta empire. The ellora caves are famous all over the world as the best sight of Indian sculpture. these caves stands apart in a map of world with their own identity and stories.

Many caves have a sculpture of meditating buddha carved with doormen at the entrance. Many caves are 2 or 3 storied.

Sculpture of Sarasvati(refered as mahamayuri in buddhism) carved in cave no. 6 along with other buddhist god goddess. Goddess ganga-yamuna are also carved at the entrance of this cave.

Cave no. 10 is believed that the last worship hall at that time. It is a 2 storied cave. You can see a detailed and beautiful carving at the rooftop at 2^nd floor. At 1^st floor there is a buddha sculpture available in front of stupa which is so attractive. And the sound echoed in this worship hall. Kuber, lord Ganesha, and meditative buddha are carved in next 2 caves, which are 2 and 3 storied caves.

In many hindu cultured caves you can lord shankara in different forms such as calm, Nataraj, an aggressive form who is fighting with demons.

You can see a huge nandi in front of lord shankar and goddess Parvati at cave no. 14. At many places you can observe some moments carved from the wedding of lord shankar and goddess Parvati.

In some caves lord ganesh, gajalakshmi, kartikeya, bramha, Vishnu, maheshand many more god and goddess are carved. Especially varah form of lord Vishnu is so attractive.

Cave no 16. Kailasa temple. Which is itself a magnificent work of art. I can write a whole separate blog on this cave. It is that much mesmerizing.

Ellora caves are carved in a single mountain, but kailasa temple is a cave which is carved in a single rock; starting from top and end at the base. The rough area of kailasa temple is around 150*110 feet, and 110 feet in height. It is a single rock cut temple which is dedicated to kailasa mountain from himalaya. It Is a well-planned cave. Initially a big pit was dug and moat was made. Later artists start to carve from top to bottom.

It replicates the dravid architecture of Karnataka state. It takes around 150-200 years of 6-7 generations to create this wonder. Here you can see Vishnu, shiv puran, Ramayana, Mahabharata are carved on temples wall. A huge Shivalinga along with nandi is there on 1^st floor. The worship hall have 16 beautifully carved pillars and some god structure is carved at the roof top. Behind this a lord ganesha’s temple is there along with some more gods carved. The outside of this hall at ground 1 whole column is carved with 2 giant elephants. Temple walls are carved with some moments from Ramayana, Mahabharata, childhood stories of lord krishna, 10 forms of lords Vishnu, goddess ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, and many more things are carved. One of the carved column and elephant is printed on Indian 20/- note; it is this much prestigious for ourselves.

You can hardly see any monument which is carved in a large stone with such planning, and that’s why it is known as “wonder of the world in rock monument!”

In remaining hindu caves you can see a tri-murti of bramha-vishnu-mahesh, mahishasumardini, Balaram, krishna.

Cave no. 28 is known as “dharatirtha cave” because it lies under a waterfall, which give you a mesmerizing view in monsoon.           In jain caves lord Mahavir and other gods you can see. Cave no. 32 is a 3 storied cave. 1st floor is of temple, 2nd floor is known as “Indrasabha” where you can see goddess Matanga seated on elephant. A lotus is carved on roof top. It is also known as mini kailasa temple.

The fort is situated on a 200 mtrs high hill. Fort’s walls are in well condition. You can see the whole city from the top of the fort. Devgiri fort is so secured that all dynasties who ruled here made it their capital.

You can see a temple inside a fort which is known as bharat mata temple. This temple have a goddess status which is in standing position. This temple have a huge open space in front of the temple. Even it have a area where lots of pillars are constructed and are in good condition. Inside the for you can also see a Charminar.

Few watch view towers are also in good condition. On this fort you can see few cannons, out of them mendha cannon is popular. It is named because of it’s face is made like a sheep. You have to pass a bridge to enter in a main fort. This bridge was made over a moat, which was filled by water and crocodiles at that time. Devgiri fort have only one entry-exit point, so if this bridge collapse then it is difficult for enemies to capture this fort. And by any chance enemy succeeded to pass this bridge then there is a confusing route which brings to the top side know as “Andheri”. It have some hidden places to hide and attack on enemy.

          It is believed that, when Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj visited devgiri fort before going to agra, he made a statement which is “This for is so strong and difficult to capture; but fort have a minus point and that is this fort don’t have a second entry/exit point. When enemy enters in main fort we need an another route to execute alternate strategy.”