ELLORA - AJANTA
Aurangabad is the best starting place in order to visit the Ellora and Ajanta caves. We used the package from JET Airways starting from Mumbai. The package included the following:
Flight MUMBAI-AURANGABAD-MUMBAI
2N Accommodation at the Welcomgroup Rama Hotel International
Return airfare on economy
Bed Tea/Breakfast/Dinner
Half-day sightseeing tour to Ellora and Aurangabad
Usage of health club
20 % discount on food & beverages
30 % discount on Golf
JET Escape leisure package
The package was booked through:
NEW DELHI TCI
Cost of the package for 2 Pax 14404,- INR
WHAT TO SEE
ELLORA CAVES
The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 Km north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist chaityas (halls of worship) and viharas (monasteries), Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century AD, the earliest excavation here is the Dhumar Lena (cave 29). The most imposing excavation is without doubt that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (cave 16) which is the largest single monolithic structure in the world. Interestingly, Ellora, unlike the site of Ajanta, was never ‘rediscovered’. Known as Verul in ancient times, it has continuously attracted pilgrims through the centuries to the present day. Ellora has been designated as a World Heritage site. Caves 1 to 12 are Buddhist caves dating from the 5th to 7th century. Hindu Caves 13 to 29 are from the 8th to 10th century while the Jain caves at the northern end date from the 9th to the 11 Century AD.
The caves are closed to the public on Tuesday and National holidays. The entry is free with exception of the Hindu cave 16 (Kailasa) were foreigners have to pay a discriminating entry fee of 5 USD/250 INR.
AJANTA CAVES
Located 106 Km from the city of Aurangabad, the rock-cut caves of Ajanta nestle in a panoramic gorge, in the form of a gigantic horseshoe. Among the finest examples of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, cave-paintings and sculptures, these caves comprise Chaityas dedicated Lord Buddha and viharas used by Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings. The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of the Buddha and various Buddhist divinities. Among the more interesting paintings are the Jataka tales, illustrating diverse stories relationg to the previous incarnations of the Buddha as Bodhisattva, a saintly being who is destined to become Buddha. Occupied for almost 700 years, the caves of Ajanta seem to have been abandoned rather abruptly. They remained shrouded in obscurity for over a millennium, till John Smith, a British Army officer, accidentally stumbled upon them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. The “viewpoint”, from where John Smith first glimpsed the caves, provides a magnificent sight of the U-shaped gorge and its scenic surroundings. Cascading down the cliff is a spectacular waterfall, which at the bottom feeds a natural pool called Saptakunda. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site. Caves 9, 10, 12 and 13 were build between the 2nd and 1st century BC. The rest of the caves date from the 5th to 6th century AD. Some caves remained unfinished.
The caves are closed to the public on Monday and National holidays. The discriminating entry fee is USD/250 INR for foreigners. Caves are accessed without shoes, so bring your slippers. Toilets were non-existent on the side, but there is a 250 INR hotel at the entry, were toilets are available.
We hired an A/C taxi at by the travel agent in the hotel for the whole day and paid 2000 INR. The trip to Ajanta takes 2 Hr. The roads are in good condition. Do not miss the viewpoint! It is indicated on the road before descending into the valley.
Aurangabad Transport Syndicate (ATS)
Transport Counter in Hotel
Tel: 0240/482423, 486766
Fax: 0240/486966
DAULATABAD FORT
On the wat to the Ellora caves stands the fortress of Daulatabad on a hilltop. The fort is surrounded by five Km of sturdy walls, while the central bastion tops a 200 m high hill, which was previously known as the “hill of the gods”. In the 14th century it was renamed Daulatabad, the city of fortune, by Mohammad Tughlaq. The sultan of Delhi conceived the plan to move his new capital here and forced the population of Delhi to populate it. On this forced march of 1100 Km a lot of his subjects dropped dead. 17 years later he marched them all back to Delhi. The discriminating entry fee for foreigners is 2 USD/100 INR.
BIBI KA MAQBARA
The so-called “poor man’s Taj Mahal” was built in 1679 as a mausoleum for Aurangzeb’s wife Rabia-ud Daurani. It is a cheap imitation of the Taj in both design and execution and where the Taj has gleaming marble, this tomb has flaking plaster. It would although without doubt be considered a high point of Mughal architexture if the Taj did not exist. The discriminating entry fee is 2 USD/100 INR for foreigners.
AURANGABAD CAVES
At short distance north of the Bibi Ka Maqbara there is another group of caves carved out in the hillside around 6th or 7th century AD. The 10 caves are all Buddhist caves. Give it a look after visiting the Maqbara.
HOTEL
WELCOMGROUP RAMA INTERNATIONAL (*****)
R-3, Chikalthana, Aurangabad
Tel: 0240/485441-44
Fax: 0240/484768
Hotel of good standard, surrounded by a nice lush garden, but certainly not five star as mentioned in “The All India Hotelist directory”. The hotel has a health center, swimming pool and bar. Restaurant personnel was very friendly. Transport to and from the airport was courtesy of the hotel. The servicing of the room was questionable as our shower was not working and the batteries of the TV remote control were mummified (although mentioned to the reception on our first day, nothing was done during our stay in order to get it repaired).