Straight to the point : The magnificence of Ellora must be seen to be experienced.
Just imagine carving a huge temple out of sheer rock and mountain. Built in the 5th / 6th century ! When there was no 3D animation, double certified architects, safety standards or hopeless bureaucracy in the name of standard operating procedures!
The Kailash Temple. With Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Double the size of the Greek Pantheons.The entire structure was carved out of one rock. Top down. Over 5-6 generations.
Would you want more proof to believe that we have indeed regressed ?
The ‘Glory Post’. The solidity of the lines, the curves and the majesticity against the blue backdrop.Indeed a glorious post !
The structure that was created back then, stands the test of time. Till date. There are so many photographs that sit in the confines of the hard disk that ‘a tough time selecting the ones to post’ is a statement reeking of modesty or falsehood or idiocy !
The Ramayana told in sculpted forms. Perhaps the earliest forerunners of cartoon channels !Amazing is not the word ! What else would you say if the tourist guide almost had to nudge once in 5 minutes to close mouths. Mouths that often veered to a state of perpetual open mouthed gaze !
Buddha and the beauty of the carving ! Blood numbing !
A row of pillars. For decoration rather than support ! Decoration ! hmm !
Egyptian / Chinese images ! Thousands of years ago, the Chinese had landed ! Trade flourished.How must life have been ?
Just imagine !
Imagine a temple like this 1500 years ago ! Imagine it being built over six generations. With the barest of the tools ! Picture it being revered. Think of it being vandalised by invaders galore. Visualise it being left to be a resting place for shepherds and other grazers to tie their cattle for a couple of centuries ! And then of course becoming a world heritage sight !
A pillar ! With carving. Now of course tourists gather in hordes. Clicking snaps amidst endless chatter. Some of them loudly giving out their versions of history. Yet others sitting on the laps of ‘Gods’ for photographs on new digital cameras. Yet others running behind other foreign tourists.
A minority just staring in open mouthed awe. The caves don’t seem to care. They seem just grin and bear. They have done so for hundreds of centuries.
Its a must go place people. Aurangabad is a must visit city. Phew.
More coming.
as I mentioned; I went there when I was in 7th standard..in history books, we had read about Ajanta-Ellora; Ajanta being the bigger one etc etc. When we visited Ellora, we were so disappointed as we thought out school people cheated us all by taking us to a lesser important cave..silly na..
later on we had to make a project on this..but out great egos (though that time we didn’t know it is called as an ego), we didn’t pay attention to the guide, or any detail..we simply copied the project of a fellow classmate..
now I regret this always – what I missed..but there is always a next time 🙂
gosh, when I start with my stories; I forget that I am supposed to comment about your post 😛 loved the clicks and the details..but felt sad as I have been there, spent almost three hours and remember nothing!
LOVELY!!!!
Lovely pictures, Kavi! Brought back memories of our trip there.
Awe- inspiring indeed!
One of my must-see spots before I die. I have been to Halebid and Belur. Those temples were built between 11th to 14th century. I was dumb-struck. Sheer magnificence, seems we are all such a waste!!
Thanks a lot for sharing the pictures. Gorgeous indeed!! We have indeed regressed, no doubt!!
Could we get more of the pictures? 🙂 I dont seem to be satisfied. Oh in case, you are interested – http://spice-n-ice.blogspot.com/2009/12/temples-of-belur-and-halebid_18.html
I had been to Ellora and was just stumped for words. Its a collosus and something if understood under the aegis of a good guide, something unforgettable. I also clicked a lot of snaps which told the story. If you looked at Buddha from any side, you seem him smiling. Such is the sculpture. Lets say kudos to the sculpturer.
beautiful images!! lovely description.. what treasures we have in our past, I hope we do a good job of preserving them!
Yep Aurangabad district is a must visit.
Beautiful images.. can just imagine how beautiful and vibrant the place must have been year ago.. why does the fate of a place change?
hey … I also had been there last weekend .. definitely a must visit place .. btw did u visit Daulatabad(Deogiri) fort which is a few kms from Ellora.
Have to make a trip there. The kids went on school excursions and therefore it never figured on our trips. What a wonderful account, it motivates one to plan a trip there soon.
Wonderful description. Sadly never been there. The kids went on school excursions and the adults got left out. The post has motivated me to make a trip out there soon.
Amazing, and mesmerizing u r describe. I wonder how many such resting places for shepherds and grazers are still exist to be discovered as heritage sights in future if we go on research!
Ellora caves reminds viewing the history book back in school.
Amazing photographs..
Ajanta and Ellora are gems 🙂
Really, ethereal feeling to be there amidst such history!
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Neha : yes. there is always a next time. Pack your bags and head to Aurangabad. Its a lovely experience. I can even give you some travel tips !
Ranu : Thanks ! 🙂
Manju : Yes.. !! Awe-Inspiring indeed ! Thank you!
Insignia : Belur and halebid are on my list too. Its such a shame that i lived in Bangalore for close to decade and didnt make it there. ellora is a must visit ! Dont miss it ! 🙂
Lovely account on your blog !
NS Iyer : The many generations of sculptors ! Approximately 6 generations said the guide. I had goose bumps all over me !
Sujata : Thankfully, this site is reasonably ok. I didnt find the odd moron scribbling ‘I love Prachi’ on the wall.
Hobo : 🙂
Aativas : i guess thats a difficult question to answer ! The fate of a place changes…i guess with the fate of the man around the place changing ! isnt that so…!?!
Shande : Welcome here ! It was the same for us as well. Keeping Aurangabad as the base and doing a few trips here and there ! Ofcourse we visited Daulatabad. We couldnt do Ajanta & Lonar. One more trip is on the cards ! 🙂
Radha : I hope you make it soon. Its a lovely place and it holds loads of value !
Jeevan : The history books certainly needed some level of revisiting from my side ! It was a super duper experience !
Firebolt : Gems they sure are ! And truly ethreal to be there and experience the spirit of the place !
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Beautiful images!!