Thursday, November 3, 1983 (continued)
Flew from Bombay to Aurangabad, and bargained for a taxi to take me to the Ellora Caves, about 29 km/18 miles. I think this is where I picked a driver and bargained a great price, only to be taken out to a pedi-cab. So the trip to the caves took longer than it would have in a regular taxi...
Ellora has hills of volcanic basalt and at one point the hill has a vertical face into which caves were carved along 2 km/1.2 miles. Not just hollowed-out rooms, but monasteries and temples with walls carved with religious figures and intricate decorations.
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| Cave 2 (Buddhist) |
All the Buddhist temple caves (2-11) were constructed between 630-700. Many were monasteries with living quarters for the monks, with shrines.
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| Cave 3 (Buddhist) |
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| Caves 9 through 5 (Buddhist) |
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| Cave 6 (oldest Buddhist temple) |
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| General view of the Ellora area |
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| Cave niche |
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| Cave 11 (Buddhist) |
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| Setting sun |
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| Cave 16 or Kailasa Temple (Hindu) |
The Kailasa Temple is an example of Dravidian architecture, built 757-783. The shape is to recall Mount Kailasa, the home of Lord Shiva.
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| Dhwajasthambha/pillar in the courtyard |
I ran out of time, and so my trusty taxi driver took me back to Aurangabad to find a hotel, and promised to take me back to Ellora the next day!
Friday, November 4, 1983
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| View from the Holiday Resort Hotel in Aurangabad |
On the way back to Ellora Caves.
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| Aurangabad landscape |
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| Tomb ruins |
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| Daulatabad Fort outer walls with Chand Minar |
The 30 m/98' tall Chand Minar is a minaret built in Turkish style in 1435.
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| Daulatabad Fort |
The already impregnable fort on top of the hill was surrounded by three sets of outer walls!
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Annona reticulata/Custard apple |
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| Wall-enclosed tomb near Khuldabad |
Continuing at Ellora Caves:
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| Langur |
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| Cave 14 (Hindu) |
The Hindu caves 14-16 were constructed during 753-982.
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| Cave 15 or Dashavatara (Hindu) |
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| Cave 16 or Kailasa Temple (Hindu) |
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| Cacti |
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| Cave 34 (Jain) |
The Jain caves were constructed in the 9th and 10th centuries.
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| Cave 33 or Jagannath Sabha (Jain) |
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| Cave 30a or Chhota Kailash (Jain) |
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| Ellora Caves waterfall |
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| Surrounded by cattle |
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| Water buffalo |
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| Fortified city of Khuldabad |
Back in Aurangabad:
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| Bibi-ka-Muqbara/Tomb of the Lady |
The Bibi-ka-Muqbara was built in circa 1651-1661 and was designed by Ata-ullah, the son of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the principal designer of the Taj Mahal. The Bibi-ka-Muqbara was built for the first wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The well-known Taj Mahal was built for the emperor's mother.
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| Bibi-ka-Muqbara |
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| Indian people |
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| Bibi-ka-Muqbara gardens |
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| Panchakki Water Works |
The Panchakki water works were built circa 1695. Water was brought by aqueduct from a well 8km/5 miles away and allowed to fall into the reservoir, creating enough power to run a grain mill.
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| Panchakki Water Works |
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| Baba Shah Musafir mosque that houses the Panchakki Water Works |
Depart Aurangabad 14:25 (delayed to 15:00).
Arrive Udaipur 16:00.
Next: Udaipur.
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