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The art and culture of India reflects in the historical monuments and the ancient caves and temples found in India. One of these antique places covered in the art and culture tour of India is Ajanta and Ellora caves located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The famous Ajanta and Ellora are cave shrines carved out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient art, culture and architecture of India. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta, a true depiction of art and culture tour in India were unnoticed, till John Smith, a British Army Officer, accidentally discovered them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. Ajanta has now been declared as a World Heritage Sit e by the UNESCO, and is to be preserved as an cultural and artistic legacy that will inspire and enrich the knowledge of future generations about the art and culture of India.
Ajanta Caves
It was only in the 19th century, when the Ajanta group of caves, buried deep within the Sahyadri hills, carved from the curved mountainside, above the Waghora River, were discovered. They depict the footsteps of Buddhism from 200 BC to 650 AD.
The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient centres of learning, and nerve - centers of the Buddhist cultural movement. The structures and figures that adorn the walls are carved out from simple tools like hammer and chisel by the monks. Many of the panels of the caves depict the Jatakas tales, a rich talebook of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses along with other figures are also elaborately portrayed on these walls.
Ellora Caves
The Ellora caves, 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain.
The sculpture in the Buddhist caves accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity inherent in the Buddha. Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist and Hindu faith, under the same roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma, the patron saint of Indian craftsmen. The Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara, with a seated Buddha placed in the stupa. Its two - storied structure sports a colourful pageant of dwarfs, dancing and making music.
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